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Cables that cost more than the speakers?

I was reading TAS tonight and noticed that several of their recommended systems utilized speaker cable that retails more than the speakers or amp to which they were connected. One was using the Purist Dominous and another the Kimber KS3038. These are both GREAT cables, but it seems strange to me to hook up a $13k cable to $9.5k speakers.

I guess there will be those that say "Whatever sounds best.", but it is still strange. Does anybody here have a similar SC to speaker ratio? FYI: I'm using Kimber KS-3033s ($2200) with my Talon Khorus($14k).
metaphysics
usblues
1,217 posts
 
Couldn't someone on this site cut apart a cable and I.D. the materials?Should some of us chip in to buy one,or does anyone have one collecting dust?I know we can't quantify sound as we all have different ears,but i would really like to know what is in there on a physical level.I have seen sites for DIY cables and they talk about going to Home Depot for supplies!!What do you think?Thanks,Bob
jadem6's avatar
jadem6
1,074 posts
 
Oh my Mr. builder dude. I must have touched a nerve, two "new members" with such strong reactions. I guess msn.com has alot of like minded people who just happen to tune in now. I can see your pissed but you could use your own name next time, but you'ld hate to have people think poorly of you, right?
redkiwi
1,092 posts
 
It sure as eggs defies logic, but go try a set of cables that add up to the total cost of your whole system or more, and have a listen. I'm not going to advocate spending half your budget on cables, but till you've heard it you won't realise how viable such an allocation of funds can be. It's quite unlike the car analogy, where all you get is better road-holding, but not better handling. Trying some great cables can make you stop and reconsider how very good your components really are, in all ways.
frap
213 posts
 
Rayhall, you make some really good points that I tend to agree with. Red, makes just as valid a point though.
I often wondered if the $3000.00 interconnect scene would vanish if no one supported it. What I mean is , would these products then be released at,say $500.00? It's only a reworking of geometry, dielectric and conductors right?
There really is nothing MATERIAL wise to make a cable (copper) cost this much is there? Am I out of line here?.......Frank
redkiwi
1,092 posts
 
Frap, I agree, but presumably R&D and marketing are a large percentage of overall cost - certainly if you wanted to break into what is a very crowded market. If not, then you or I could re-badge some Belden, slap a $3,000 sticker on it and retire - no such luck methinks.
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