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A New Believer

I have listened to many systems over the years, and have never appreciated the difference speaker cables can make to a sound. In fact, I was so skeptical of the sound changes they can make that I have always not bothered with any special type of cables, generally going for generic (and dare I say it) roughly made ANY copper wire plugged in to amp and speaker. Well, imagine my surprise when I decided to do a blind test and listen to what difference cabling can make. Wow, my Vand 3A Sig's had been getting strangled! (some of you guys may want to strangle me if I told you what connects I had been using). So I am now a firm believer, cables DO make a difference.
joshc
jallen
502 posts
 
The problem with cables is that they interact with what they are plugged into having capacitance, inductance, resistance, resonance, skin effect with varying dielectrics, (PVC, PE, Teflon,etc.)and more. Next, what signal can be measured that accounts for all the variables, and how will that be interpreted into some sort of scientific statement? I think it is just easier to ignore the price tag, listen and if it sounds better get the cables, whether at Walmart or the expensive places. Me, I only use TEflon cables or PE dielectric, with silver coated copper. Best sound for a budget, and if you shop well, it can be had for Walmart prices. Jallen
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
Timrhu I completely concur with what you said, absolutely! These tests must be done over a period of time and the results MUST be consistent. An initial response to a change in sound is usually positive as you state. What is harder to ignore is a consistent result over time with careful assurance that all else in the system remains the same. At that point, trust your ears.
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
Furthermore let me ask if the doubters believe there is a different in the sound characteristics of the same tube type by different manufacturers in a given audio device with all electrical parameters measuring the same? I'll bet most would say yes and some technically knowledgeble enough might be able to give reasons as to what is causing those differences. Wire is much more difficult in this respect outside the known electrical parameters of capacitance, inductance and shielding and how those factors might be contributing overall into the differences we hear or are there other factors as well as Jallen notes?
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4est
507 posts
 
Considering the cost of high end gear, it seems silly not to experiment. Someone is always in a hurry to argue against spending "thousands" vs damn near nothing. The meat is in the middle IMO as Elizabeth and others have stated.

"An initial response to a change in sound is usually positive as you state. "- not IME, although I do think that you need to leave them in awhile to get their measure- as in not a quick A/B/X.
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