What do you mean by "better" when it comes to cabl

As the first post stated, "better" is a subjective term.

My feeling is that a cable should not change the signal in any way. With that, the implication is that lesser cable has some impact on the signal and that "better" cable has less impact.

I too have heard differences in cables. Perhaps the differences I hear are due to different changes made to the signal by the different cables, or perhaps the difference is due to one cable having an impact and the other having no impact or less impact.

I don't know the science behind how cables impact the signal. Vaguely, I am aware that very long cabling can cause signal loss. Also, the inductance kind of impedance in a cable can result in high frequency losses. But I am willing to believe there can be a lot more involved. That's where I have to start believing in cable designers' ad claims. Like Cardas with his spiral cable configuration and materials selection, and AudioQuest when they used to make silver conductor cabling. (I know these two sound different.)

What is "better"? If I can hear a difference, I try to figure out which cable has done a better job transmitting without impacting the signal.

Manitunc-

all we cable guys are saying, a better synergy exists within one's system.

It's "better" if it complements your equipment.Depending on what they are made of,the inductance,capacitance,etc.varies from one cable to the next.One will bring out the best in your equipment and another will not.

I guess for me, then, the best would be the one that doesnt do anything, and gets out of the way. That way when I try different cartridges, arms and tables, I dont have to adjust the cabling to "fix" the sound. this must drive people who keep changing their system batty, or at least, broke.

01-26-13: Manitunc
I guess for me, then, the best would be the one that doesnt do anything, and gets out of the way. That way when I try different cartridges, arms and tables, I dont have to adjust the cabling to "fix" the sound. this must drive people who keep changing their system batty, or at least, broke.

The cable that you desire, one that doesn't do anything, does not yet exist.....yet. It sounds like you prefer to tune your equipment around your cables, which is fine, there are plenty of ways to get to the same destination. However, choosing a table, arm or cartridge that best matches with you cables is not that much different than choosing cables that match your table, arm or cartridge.

Since the bottom line is putting together a system that sounds "best" to you, synergy is the key. Only you can choose what path you want to follow to lead you there. Maybe I am lazy, but for me it is easier to change cables than to change turntables, so I tend to tune the table/arm/cartridge to my tastes via cables. Yes, sometimes changing a cartridge requires me to change cables too. It's all about synergy, and for me that means balancing the resolution with the musicality to suit my own taste. Any change may require further changes down the line.

I have no problems with whatever floats your boat. I choose not to shut down any roads to my own sonic nirvana. If you'd prefer that some roads should not be taken, that's fine, I don't care. However, do not complain about others that choose to take a path that you wish not to. Allow others to enjoy themselves, they are not harming you.