Interconnect - Does short length hinder sound?

The only reason interconnect that short could harm sound is if it caused stress or loading (feedback) between two components that should not be mechanically connected.

Perfect example is turntable to phono stage or phono stage to preamp. This is not always an issue, depends on design of equipment, if tube or transistor and lots of other things.

Many cables have a minimum charge that covers up to 1 meter. Buying .5 meter may save ZERO money and harm resale if you should decide later to sell to upgrade.

Too, most cables have a basic charge and the .5 meter increments are a tiny fraction of the cost, meaning little money is saved, even if there is a discount for the shorter length.

An example is the Purist Museaus, 1 meter is $300.00. .5 meter is $260.00 (these are retail prices but you get the idea).

It stands to reason the shortest signal path is better. Sound doesn't travel through the cable, electrons do.

Intuitively, I'd say that's ridiculous, as the more cable length there is, the more capaciotance, inductance and resistance there is, along with all the other magical things that no one understands in cables. This is gennerally accepted to be true for speaker cables. In reality, though, I don't have nay first hand experience with trying different lengths of the same type of interconnect. They may be right. On the other hand, they may be trying to sell you more stuff. Are the cables in question significant $$$? Is there much difference in the .5M vs. 1M cables' cost? Do they have the .5M lengths in stock? Are the cables they are pushing available in .5M length? Could be they are just afraid you will buy something from someone else, or are too lazy to order the cable you want.

Did a weekend shootout once between my Kimber Silver Streak .5m vs. 1m vs. 2m. Tried them all between my Shanling T-100 and Audible Illusions pre, then between the pre and Nuforce Ref 9s. Darned if I could hear any difference at all.
When I brought this up one time, the pro at my local shop (AZ Tube Audio) told me they're just trying to sell you more expensive cables, as .5m are always cheaper. I think he was right. Thanks Dan!
James

Hello Oak3x,

The shorter cable will not hinder the sound. But reselling them 1m and 1.5m sell easier than a .5 meter.