2. cables
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Highest component/cable ratio?

I was just thinking about the fact that the cost of cables in my system is now a very small percentage of the total value. I have found expensive cables to offer no significant advantage in numerous tests, and am still happy with both Anti-Cables, Clear Day stuff, and White Zombie.

But these budget cables do not reside in a budget system. It currently consists of an Acoustic Solid TT, Shindo Monbrison pre, Yamamoto or Art Audio amps, and Lamhorn speakers.

I do run VH Audio Flavor 4 PCs, the most expensive cables in the system, but need only two of them.

Who else out there is using the budget cabling in a relatively high-end system? The current audiophile mentality tells me these cables should be holding the system back but they do not. Unless I can't hear.
paulfolbrecht
bigbucks5
184 posts
 
The money I've saved by buying relatively inexpensive interconnects and speaker cables has allowed me to buy better components/speakers...a far better way to allocate your budget.

For example, I'm using speaker cables that cost me $300 for an 8-foot pair, hooked to speakers that cost me $15K. Only an idiot would split that budget $5K/$10K for cables/speakers and expect to have something that sounds 'better'.

The same goes for my interconnects...about $100/pair (and I think that's maybe a little overboard).

Speaker cables/interconnects must have the greatest diminishing returns of any component in a system, with speakers the least.

If using zip cord allows you to buy better speakers, then I think that's the way to go.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
03-09-08: Mijknarf
Hey Paul, I want to hear the difference, but just plain can't.


I have the opposite problem. I don't want to hear a difference, but I do.
I could certainly save a whole bunch of dough with some plain jane i/c's. I've heard 'good value' cables and cords, but I find that to acquire the best results my cables cost more than I care to admit. The law of diminishing returns certainly kicks in hard and early in audio in general.

Cheers,
John
newbee
4,767 posts
 
John, If you don't want to hear the differences, just don't listen for them. Just run with the same set of cables/IC's and you can be blissfully ignorant (or really smart). :-)
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
03-10-08: Newbee
John, If you don't want to hear the differences, just don't listen for them. Just run with the same set of cables/IC's and you can be blissfully ignorant (or really smart). :-)


Good advice Newbee, but it's too late now. I'll go back to 'normal' cables when I go back to 'normal' gear. If I could turn back time and just be happy with my Rotel integrated amp and cheap cables, I'd have a whole lot more disposable income right now. Which I could probably lose by flying around the world and beating up some beautiful golf courses, or maybe buying a nice boat..... :)

Cheers,
John
rodman99999
6,107 posts
 
Hey John- I've often felt the same way: If I could ONLY turn back the clock! If I had only been born without an innate love for live music! If I only had not become a sound tech, perhaps I could be happy with Cryin'Ear Hi-Fi equipment and would have saved mega-bucks over the years. BUT ALAS: I can't turn back time, and I can recognize/appreciate the differences. Gotta bite the bullet and spend a few bucks for the satisfaction!
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