The Cost of Cables

the moral of all this is to spend less on cables, and buy a porsche.

I sold my Porsche and bought a Triumph Daytona 675 motorcycle and more audio equipment.

Downgraded to cheaper cables, however.

The sad impression I have is that cables work and expensive ones in general work better. There are companies importing cheap Chinese cables and sticking there own labels on them. There are other companies hyped by the magazines ad nauseam, with, to me an unjustified reputation, one beginning with N comes to mind. Others clearly give real benefits to my system, near to a component upgrade, which can be more expensive. I am sure other names will come to you, but Acoustic Zen, Audience, Wireworld, Ridge street, have really made a real impact on my system.
How to go about trying them out, 2nd hand if possible, or sale or return, or loaners. The inescable finding in my system, is that cables and tweaks have really had a strong impact. Kemp power conditioner, Walker HDL links and SST contact enhancer, Marigo stealth signature CD mat, have all worked , darn it

The sad impression I have is that cables work and expensive ones in general work better.

The question is not whether they make a difference or not but rather why do they cost as they do. What makes the more expensive ones, more expensive?

There are companies importing cheap Chinese cables and sticking there own labels on them.

What makes the Chinese versions "cheap" in comparison? (Labor cost is obvious, but is there anything else?)

Chrisla, I just want to compliment you for that very thoughtful, well written piece. This was an excellent read!
jd