Cable Costs Relative to System

a difference that makes no difference is no difference.

if you hear a difference between two components, but you are indifferent to replacing one component with the other, the perceived difference is inconsequential.

it may not be a question of price justifying the difference but rather, "the difference is insignificant".

my point is that for some, an insignificant difference is no difference.

Baam23f
"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."

Well, they could be identical, many audiocables do the same things wrong. But what did you meashure? Many audiophils belive in the holy frequenze-response, but without too much knowing what it really represents.
If you meashure a speakers on-axis response it only tells you the speakers total acoustic energy, not anything about the quality or dynamic contrast and so on. It might be flat, but that does not mean that it sounds good.
A waterfall will clear up a few things, but the biggest cable-differences will be seen in a pulse/step meashuring.

Try Mundorf Silver/Gold ribbon cable. An absolute bargain DIY or ready made compared to what you have paid so far. I find it interesting that people who ain't slow in the head, maki'n all that bread to afford this high end audio will spend crazy money on COPPER? Being a jeweller[English spelling] I am aware of the way even minute amounts of Gold [1%]alloyed with silver can significantly alter the molecular properties of said metal. For $13,000 I should be able to make the cable out of pure gold. Advantage would be very flexible even as solid core, no oxidization, superb malleability means it would never break, will never lose its value, superb electrical properties. Disadvantage, VERY expensive! I use Supra Ply 3.4/S bi-amped with 4 runs of cable per channel and I am a very happy chappy. I am curious to make a very high end cable and would happily give the Mundorf a try 66-49Euros/M for top silver/gold foil or 1.5mm wire with ptfe and they don't like so many others add extra digits to the purity % of their cable. What they offer is as pure as it can get in the real world.

If you want a really excellent cable for very little money then check out Frank's work at Signal Cable (and no I don't work for him, I'm just a loyal customer). My system is not in a league with yours (Naim Nait 2, Linn LP12, Kudos tuner, Mimik II cd player, B&W 805's and an ASW 800 sub), but it seems to me that spending thousands and thousands on wire is ridiculous, and the people at NANA think likewise.

And to add insult to injury just when you think you've found a good combination of cables all away around a different cable, not necessarily more expensive by any means,in combination with other cables, again not necessarily more expensive, can give your system a sound you never thought possible from your system or any system in your particular listening space.I've recently had my jaw hit the foor, not from elecrecution, but from hearing what I heard when I put on two Tekline cables to my cdp and preamp, skinny little things, as well as a generic looking cable to my conditioner, replacing an expensive high end cable. Actually the three Tekline cables added to my system were of significant value and switching just three little thin cables way outdid the Synergidtic Absolute and Dream State high end expensive cables and now my system sounds like it never has before. I had given up on power cables thinking at $2500 cables and good sound I was done. With the swap of much lesser costly cables improved the sound dramatically and it was a no cost veture in fact I came out several thousands of dollars a head to use these awesome cables from Tekline. If you haven't heard about them yet you probably will. I ordered 4 of the bigger ones even thouigh they are not really necessary I'm curious. I'm pleased with my cable upgrades and even though a new cdp or preamp may have, you would think, a more dramatic improvement in sound I'm here to say in my system in the moods I've been in and maintaining a healthy diet have noticed that three power cables of relatively acceptable price points have done more in the wow factor than new cdp and preamp. The difference was/is a mind expanding experience as it shows what can be done with good imagination and workmanship.I'm extremely pleased with the sound of my system now. It's better than ever and the only thing I can blame it on is the three cables, less expensive, less well known than what I had on previously. But I mean I couldn't decribe the difference in English as it is my only language. These cables are still blowing my mind. This is not an ad for any particular componany but just a testament that the correct cables for your system, regardless of brand or hierchy in Audioland, make a dramatic improvement if one is lucky enough to find the right cables. This process for me has bveen a learning process working my way up to the point where I'm at and returning me funds in the thousands.I am pleased with my new sound and can't wait, for the sake of curiosity, what scotts big high end cables will sound like.