Interconnect cable upgrade disapointment

Wouldn't be simpler to say "I cannot hear differences"? Nobody will blame you - believe me.

Well I'll not be so conceited as to deny that last point - you are probably right again - although I enjoy audio immensely, I make no claims to have "golden ears" if that is what you meant.

Shadorne - you make me feel better. I have never suspected I had "golden ears" especially having very hard time to learn music.

I cannot explain why Audioquest Viper delivers taut short bass while Audioqest Ruby's bass is full and round. Both of them are within $200 that you mentioned. From engineering point of view it doesn't make any sense. You should try both of them - it might be eye oppening experience.

I cannot understand why power cables make difference, but having zero experience with them I don't question they do. Going by "science" and specification is good in engineering but not in Audio (too complex) and if I had to choose very expensive SS amp without listening I would pick one with worse specs.

Open mind instead of calling other people brainwashed (as some do) is always better approach.

Frank
My pleasure. Thanks much

Shadorne
Thanks very much.

My degree of disappointment hinges upon my expectation level.

“Why?” and perhaps “Why not?” are both quite formidable precepts.

These questions get me into more trouble than any other. I try not to use it until I can’t escape it and there is a real and tangible need for it’s use.

One thing I’ve found out about me over the years is this, “I don’t know everything.” It follows that I should not presume to know everything either. Nor, will I dispute other’s claims unless I’ve found out for myself they aren’t valid or not quite valid enough.

Further, until all the mysteries of the cosmos are revealed I’ll continue on with as open a mind as I am able in regards to life and other things, in general.

In fact I’ve never even stayed at a Holiday Inn Express… Gee. Maybe I should have!

Those items with too much ‘can’taffordium’ or ‘unobtainium’ within their build are quite simple matters for me… I just ignore them altogether. I won’t however, ignore what their influence might be., or their worth to another.

As was noted, cables may or may not be the answer to improve a system., more fundamentally existing issues contribute. Some positively, some negatively. Even dirty volume controls can be compensated for with more capacitive cables, yet at the loss of leading edge definition. This compensation does not provide true improvement, but improvement never the less, as the scratchy and graininess are ameliorated.

Again, as was also stated, cable geometry, and dielectric materials make for changes, or differences in sound as well. Super! Yayy. More fuel for the fire, what?

No. it really isn’t. I’ve neither the time, funds, nor inclination to set out on another wire hunt as I did a few years ago while searching out a main IC for that (now past) system.

In the end, just what would the result be in fact? It would only be applicable to the ‘now’ system most likely, and that's a rather myopic viewpoint in truth. ‘Course that depends on the subject-o-meter I was given when all this “Gee, Wanna go bowling?” “Nope. Let’s put together a really nice stereo rig instead!”, discourse began.

Armed with my brandy new ‘subjectometer’, no working knowledge of present day audio gear, some predetermined closed minded reservations, and a budget I’ve long since over shot, I began. The first build cost me dearly as I took advice from those who really neither knew, or cared about my concerns. I further hamstrung myself by ignoring the peripherals and accessories required for it to attain a greater level of synergy.

Then one day I was pointed to Audiogone during a speaker demo I was doing, knowing full well it had to be the speakers causing my sonic issues. And ain’t that always the ticket? Just buy better speakers! That’ll fix everything! lol

A ton of advice, knowledge bases, and some newly met sincere folks later, I’ve gone through two completely different rigs, and presently am satisfied with this current one. Of course NOW I need better speakers! But only due to their color, as room esthetics are vastly altered now.

The sole main ingredient that provided me the most substantial gain, was simply setting aside my own ideas and ideologies,

Isolation? We don't need no stinking isolation! ... sorry that was my best Eli Wallach impression too.

On par with that facet, was some hands on trial and error… well, I was accompanied through it all with a forlorn and woefully ignored budget, and of course my trusty ‘subject-o-meter’.

How could I have known eight years ago I was better served by the auspices of vacuum tube power? Trust me here, I had no idea and absolutely was a major component of the “lots of watts” camp… and a fully vested card carrying member.

Now, as weird as this may sound given the last note… I’m exploring a PC only based entertainment senter and beginning with it’s audio aspects. I'm also being regularly surprised by it... in a good way.

As the result of my personal investigations, and surely my willingness to do so, things around Jim’s ‘House of Sunburn and Sound’, are getting better…. Well, that and more littered. … looks like I’m gonna need a third rack soon! …or smaller components. Sheesssh!

The bottom line here? See for yourself. Try a this or that in your own rig. That’s the only truly applicable litmus test for the ‘audio afflicted’… oh yeah and there’s this too, Be honest… as there is a distinction between ‘different’ and ‘improved’. Albeit, the former can and does supplant the latter now and then.

AS this process continues a funny thing happens… your ‘subject-o-meter’ becomes better calibrated and your system will sound better… usually. RWV..

I think Audiogon is a great resource and conflicting views are welcome. May the great debates continue, forever!

Nobody has a monopoly on the best sound!

The more I learn about hi end audio cables the more I realize that price and promotion are the two worst indicators of sonic performance. having said that, I usually break in new cables by playing digital music from my sat receiver through them when I'm gone during the day. That way I'm not putting wear on any of my source gear. You can do the same thing with an old fm receiver, but digital covers a wider spectrum of the audio frequency and there aren't as many commercials so you get more burn in time per hour.