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Cable Costs Relative to System

Since making a spread sheet with my audio system prices, I have been thinking(shocked) about my total investment in cables. My total system retails at $67,000 (Digital and analog front ends included). I purchased all of it here on Audiogon so my investment is about 50%. Of that I have about 10% invested in interconnects and cables and another 10% in Power Cables (Shunyata Hydra included). That's $13,000 worth of wire. I'm starting to question whether it might be more effective to put some of this budget into acitve components. It would take forever to listen to all possible combinations, but would like to hear others experiences with relatively high end systems and cable selection. It would seem to me that the point of diminishing returns would be reached sooner with cables than with speakers and amps. Do most of you follow the 10% "rule" for cabling? How do PCs fit into this rule? Are there any super bargain cables capable of keeping up with highly resolving electronics?
metaphysics
rugyboogie
199 posts
 
IMHO it is all system dependent. First is the components for your front end both vinyl and digital. Then the amplification.
You can spend lots or little. The thing to do is borrow the cables and try them in your system. Change only one cord at a time so that the changes will apply to one one component at a time.
The amount of money you spend is a matter of personal budget.
Did a shoot out of various power cords. All of the power cords were plugged into the Audience ar12, 20 amp version.
The power cords tested were Shunyata, Aural Symphonics, Nordost, Synergistics and Audience. See my posts on my System threads.
The testing was done over a three day period and all cables were burned in.
By changing PCs on the Audio Research CD7 I could get more resolution and better dynamics.
I had several friends over for the final day of testing. All were disbelievers of being able hear any differences between power cords.
As the evening progressed they all became firm believers that the last five feet can make a profound difference on the music.
In my system the Aural Symphonics worked best or had the best synergy. It was not the most expensive of the PCs demoed.
So go and try different cables and see what works for you.

That my two cents worth.
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
Rugyboogie states the facts very well and without the abrasiveness if some other would be Shaman of things high end.
baam23f
32 posts
 
Ok, cables do sound different to you, how come no one talks aout written proof and measurements? In my system expensive transparent cables were compared to off the shelves once. To me they sounded the same and measured the same.
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
I think that around 10% is a reasonable target, give or take a few percent. Those that don't hear any difference should only spend 1%. If something blows you away and costs 20% then you'll need to seriously consider blowing your budget.

Ideally you'll be able to compare cables in your system before you buy.

IMHO, setting out to spend a certain percentage is a recipe for failure.

Dave
rugyboogie
199 posts
 
Baam23f
You wrote that you could not hear the difference. I do not know your system or the cables that you were comparing. I have also never tried to measure cables, but you are more than welcome to listen at my place in order for you to be able to hear the differences that cables can make. For better or worse. It is all about system synergy.
If you are in the Pacific Northwest drop me an e-mail and stop by.
Cheers,
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