Cable "burning": Real or VooDoo ???

There have been numerous testimonials at various Audiogon chats regarding the "conversion" of staunch opponents to the "cables make a difference" group. Every story always goes something like, "For 20 years I did not believe that...... until I heard..... and could not believe my ears.....I apologize to all I may have offended..... and now happily enjoy my system more than ever". To all the "blinded by science" group, why not accept that there are significant improvements to be had by choosing a cable that synergizes with peoples systems, and find the science to prove why, instead of denying the experience of thousands of audiophiles who really have no axe to grind, but simply know what they are hearing?

Excellent posts just above by both Sean and Bmp, IMO. But really, I don't think that Stevemj has either the psychological or intellectual character to get weird enough for this audiophile, or for most others with open minds. Was it Emerson who said "consistency is a hobgoblin of small minds"? Cheers. Craig.

Yes, it was Emerson. But let's be fair. Steve espouses his point of view with consistency and tenacity. I categorically do NOT subscribe to his "wires is wires" point of view, but I do think it's a bit unfair to demean his "psychological or intellectual character". He's asking for hard data and, to be fair, we haven't yet given such. What we have given is anecdotal evidence. That such evidence is not yet quantifiable does not nullify it; rather it means there are physical properties to this whole business that aren't yet mapped. But namecalling solves nothing. Let's try to stick with facts.

Sean's approach makes some sense from the scientific point of view; perhaps we can undertake to push that kind of empirical testing to see where it leads?

Really hope everyone here can keep this confined to "quietly asking and answering in turn". (Some Greek fella wrote about that quite some time back; Plato or something like that.)

Uh-oh-- seems like I stepped on some toes without even meaning to. Adamanteus, if you'll look at my post again, you'll see that I said "Stevemj does not have the psychological or intellectual capacity TO GET WEIRD ENOUGH for this audiophile". Actually, although I too disagree with Steve, he makes very well written and civil posts. I would say that I complimented him by saying that he cannot get WEIRD enough for me-- straight out of HST's best works. But if I offended, my apologies. Craig.

Getting back to the topic-- can Stevemj demand that we prove our contention, ie that there is a difference in music character with "burn in", but we cannot demand that he prove his, ie that there is no difference with "burn-in"?

Personally, I have no particular "need" to explain the phenomenon as I trust my own senses. But if he wishes to prove his case, I would love to see the results of his study(s) with peer reviews, publication-- the whole works. And I surely do wish him the best of luck. Cheers. Craig