2. cables
  3. 192296-1635

What % Of Your System Are Your Cables?

IMO, the “10% rule” for cable expenditure really should be stated as “when you’re building a new system and you have a limited budget, allocate 10% to cables” and I think this is a good idea. But again IMO, this is not necessarily the stopping point. I recently purchased some new cables and I was wondering, hopefully without getting into the cable debate, what percentage of your system do you have invested in cables?  No need to go into brands or actual cost, unless you want to. With my new purchase, I would say I’m around 25% depending on whether you count my analog rig as part of the system price, as I did not buy any new cables for the TT, because my TT has captive cables. Probably up to about 30% without the analog.  I understand the percentage numbers can be highly deceiving if you bought used. 25% used is probably about 50% of your system price if you bought new. Anyway, just curious to see what you’re doing with cables. Be well. 

chayro
tom2015
101 posts
 

At retail 50% actual cost about 10%.

Cable depreciation is significant once the generation changes and gives excellent buying opportunities. 

unreceivedogma's avatar
unreceivedogma
985 posts
 

.01%. 
 

That’s not a typo. 

gbmcleod
477 posts
 

I am with Steakster and dougthebiker. My system is approximately 35% of total cost.

As for cables having "no effect," well, the myth is more accurately the belief that they DON’T have any effect. Of course they do. Anyone with considerable experience in the symphony halls, jazz clubs and (ugh) recitals given by friends who are music teachers could hear this. What more often happens is that those saying they make no difference don’t have systems good enough to reveal that the cables DO have an effect. A receiver is likely to have so many colorations, it masks the improvement that the cables are demonstrating. Back when I had a Carver 1.0t amp, and B&K St 101 amps, I couldn't hear what the MIT Shotgun cable was doing, but when I bought my Rowland Research Model 5 (and then 7 monoblocks) and the preamp was the Rowland Research Coherence I, plus I had an Audio Research Sp-11, I could then easily hear these improvements in dynamic range, delicacy, nuance and tonal quality. By then, I also had WATTS, so high resolution was no issue whatsoever.

Cables matter, although I detest the absurd pricing that they have nowadays (some of them). They used to be somewhat intelligently priced, but 40 years later??? The prices these manufacturers ask for are INSANE!!! On that point, I will agree with ANYONE!

Oh well, can’t get blood out of a turnip, either...

alexopth1512
21 posts
 

I reach 25%. Not so much in power but some good money there too. Interconnects and speaker cables. Most Nordost expensive series for a long time now (mostly because I have friends with local dealer and gets back cables almost at the price bought, give the extra money and upgrade). Most of the times, however, I could spot differences only when the gear was of relevant price. 

For example when I had upgraded from Red Dawn to SPM reference in a 4k amplifier setup it was difficult to say the differnces. When went to Symphonic Line 20k+ I couldn't believe how obvious the difference was between two cables

I was very impressed these days creating a DIY Neotech balanced cable with Rhodium XLR connectors.  

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