The correct answer depends on the following list of factors, and once you plug them into the formula you should be able to find out if you've spent too much (or too little) on your cables for the optimal sounding results.
I * D +(I/O) = T
T (%)- this is the answer, and it is very important that your budget is within +/- 0.5% (this formula works only in USD). For those rare cases where you've either spent too much or too little, please stay calm and do not panic (*refer to below for additional instructions).
I - This is a whole number which represents the number of cables used in your system.
D - Dimitri's factor. This is a critical number which is based on the extensive market research (performed by the IGOR Geneva Consortium for Profit) that takes into account exchange rate volatility (among other things that cannot be shared due to international trade secret -- patent pending) of countries where the components were manufactured. Take the price that you have paid and multiply by corresponding manufacturer number: UK = 1.0, China = 2.7, Germany = 0.7, USA = 4.0, Japan = 0.6, Others = 0.74
O - Oscillation value. If you believe that cables make a meaningful difference in your system's performance, use 1. If not, use 0 for this value. And, multiply that by percentage of the components that you purchased used (including demos). For those who only buy used equipments, divide by 0.2 if you think you usually get the best prices on your components. If not, use 0.5
I realize that I should have responded to this thread (and saved everyone their precious time to listen to music). Still, it is never too late.
*If you are either above or below the correct T%, please trade your items on Audiogon and comfirm the optimal system configuration by using the formula again.
Stik
I * D +(I/O) = T
T (%)- this is the answer, and it is very important that your budget is within +/- 0.5% (this formula works only in USD). For those rare cases where you've either spent too much or too little, please stay calm and do not panic (*refer to below for additional instructions).
I - This is a whole number which represents the number of cables used in your system.
D - Dimitri's factor. This is a critical number which is based on the extensive market research (performed by the IGOR Geneva Consortium for Profit) that takes into account exchange rate volatility (among other things that cannot be shared due to international trade secret -- patent pending) of countries where the components were manufactured. Take the price that you have paid and multiply by corresponding manufacturer number: UK = 1.0, China = 2.7, Germany = 0.7, USA = 4.0, Japan = 0.6, Others = 0.74
O - Oscillation value. If you believe that cables make a meaningful difference in your system's performance, use 1. If not, use 0 for this value. And, multiply that by percentage of the components that you purchased used (including demos). For those who only buy used equipments, divide by 0.2 if you think you usually get the best prices on your components. If not, use 0.5
I realize that I should have responded to this thread (and saved everyone their precious time to listen to music). Still, it is never too late.
*If you are either above or below the correct T%, please trade your items on Audiogon and comfirm the optimal system configuration by using the formula again.
Stik