Power Cord brands mixing. "Your Opinions"

I have now listened a while to my one cable brand system and yes, it is better IN MY SYSTEM than my mix was. While all cables vary on different components it seems logical to assume that the same brand will vary to a lesser degree than several brands. This is what my system sounds as if it is doing, fewer sharp edges in the sound if you will; more "organic" in character. HIFICRITIC noted the same thing in the current issue; saying that to get the full benefit of cables staying with the same brand is best. THIS IS NOT TO SAY that you may not like the sound of a mix better, just that the same brand route is a little easier to travel. Also not to tout the superiority of Transparent, I noted the same thing when I kept increasing the number of PS cables in my system. If I had gotten an equivalent deal on PS I might have gone that way. Also my speaker cables are Cardas GR and my ICs VDH TFUs, although my digital cable is also Transparent. I would have no objection to going all Transparent save the expense; the speaker cable and ICs are not cheap. I think the mix route makes more sense on different functions than at the same level anyway. Let us not get carried away; you say po-ta -to and I say po-tot-o etc. If it sounds good listen to it.

Mrtennis, briefly the logical basis resides in cables having a sonic character due to construction and materials. If you have never compared sets of cables I don't expect you to agree with that statement.

As you suspect there are too many variables, again the key is the sonic character of cables which is consistent no matter which components they are used with; that addresses the suspected myriad of variables you allude to. Consequently with unified sets the individual can pursue whichever attributes they desire in a set of cables, versus guesswork with a mixed set.

I concur with Doug. I've had mixed cables and two different sets of all the same manufacturer cables. I do admit that this is hardly a very diverse sample of all the cable choices out there. But I have preferred all Signal Cable or all Synergistic cables to a blend. It seemed to me the closer I got to having only one brand of cables the more coherent my system sounded.

i agree that cables are tone controls. they have sonoic characteristics.

however, i have found that when using one brand of cable throughout my system, i have found that by replacing an interconnect, or speaker cable or power cord i have preferred the sound. it is possible that you would have preferred the souind using one brand.

there is no logical reason that mixing cable, with their different sonic signatures could not sound better to a listener than just using one brand.

i guess i am talking about complementary colorations.

i am talking about blending rather than having one color. it may not be possible to find the flavor that one desires with one brand, as it is impossible to audition all cables from all cable companys.

Mrtennis, your comment is valid although I would suggest it is only a step toward what could be a far more pleasing experience.

If you liked the sound of replacing one cable/pair did you then proceed to add additional cables incrementally to see what the effect was? i.e. transition toward a new complete set?

I think can understand your perspective in the matter based on what you consider to be good sound. We will differ on this, but I believe your view is that good sound is not overly detailed, but is warm to syrupy sounding with a higher emphasis on tonality than definition.

If that is correct, and not judging your opinion in the matter it is entirely possible that by mixing the cables you are able to dial down the definition and thereby have the tonality come to the fore.

My philosophy in regards to defintion/detail is at the other end of the spectrum; I say that one cannot have too much detail/definition in a system and that if the perception is such that means there is a problem with the system, often times with the tonality. So, one of my goals is to seek cabling which is extreme in defintion/detail, however I will not sacrifice tonality nor any other parameter in order to achieve it.

So, yes, if you are wanting to avoid an extreme amount of defintion/detail then mixing will very likely allow you to do so. However, I believe that if you were to follow up by testing other cables singly and noting the difference in sound you might be able to move toward a brand which would be far superior in every aspect of performance you desire.

I continuously attempt to mix in one or two cables to see what the result will be on review rigs. Without exception because I am using a unified set which is extremely agreeable to my ears no mixed sets have been as appealing. In every case there has been a diminishment in detail/definition. I believe this means I have discovered a brand of cables which is to my ears "right up my alley." I also believe any audiophile can find a one brand set which can be so in tune with their sense of aesthetics that they would prefer it to any number of mixed sets of cables.

I am not stating that in every instance every audiophile will find a single set of cables superior; I am saying that mixed cables do not afford a clear route to guiding the system toward the desired end result, and that if one persists with testing complete sets they will likely discover an entire set which is far more to their liking than any mixed set they have previously used.

Can I "prove it"? No, no more than one can prove vinyl is better than digital. But I believe there are methods which can move a rig toward a goal with more certainty.