2. cables
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Which cables go with what?????

I never fails to amaze me, the questions people ask on this forum, always trying to find some synergy between cables and their components/speakers.

The fact is: there are two classes of cables:
1) Those that are neutral
2) Those that impose a sonic signature (tone controls of a sort)

If the average audiophile spent his time trying to weed-out the tone control cables and get some neutral cables, then all that would be left is to determine the right synergy between his or her components. This may mean elimination of an offensive component, as painful as that sounds.

Component synergy is real. Amps and speaker combinations definitely need to be selected carefully. In some cases also preamp-amp synergies are important. If you are using tubes, then there are even more compatibility issues. But cables, forget it. If you are trying to compensate for a poor component or speaker design by using tone control cables, you will probably never be happy and likely compromise the sound of the other components in the process. You will certainly never approach a live or "master-tape" sound. There, that's my editorial. Hopefully some will learn from it.
audioengr
flex
292 posts
 
Nothing is completely neutral but there are degrees of closeness. Audio electronics companies like Meridian, Spectral, Linn, Levinson, Goldmund that design complete systems do strive to convey the signal end-to-end with as much linearity and as low distortion as possible. I believe this is what Audioengr is referring to.

It is also possible to define neutrality from a listening standpoint, as recording engineers do when they use a live mike feed as a reference for any subsequent changes in sound.

The problem is for the ordinary audiophile who has neither an oscilloscope nor a reference sound to work with.

I agree with Audioengr when he says most cable manufacturers do not understand cable physics. There is nothing easier to do than change sound. Avoiding changing it is what is difficult.
audioengr OP
3,282 posts
 
Bwhite wrote:
"So from your statement about preamps - I gather you don't view them as too important. What about source components? Are they important?"

Preamps are certainly important. The point is: that in most systems there the SYNERGY between the pre and the amp is not too important, In other words, several good preamps will all behave about the same. There are exceptions to this, such as my own amps, which seem to require a lot of drive to sound dynamic, and therefore a low output impedance preamp.

Source components are the MOST important to nail right. If these are wrong, you will chase your tail indefinitely trying to fix the sound. I have a significant number of customers that have subjectively "bright" or sibialant systems just because their CD source is not optimum. This is precisely why I offer a demo source "system" to audition. Htye just leave a deposit and they can compare the Transport, DAC and SP/DIF cable to what they have to determine where the weakness is.
audioengr OP
3,282 posts
 
Rjwood wrote:
"Oh, and if Audioengr is really starting these threads for the benefit of us mere music lovers, perhaps he could nominate a few manufacturers whose cables perform at the same exalted level as his own?"

Sure, I can do this:
Bogdan
Audience
Acoustic Zen - certain cables
Siltech
nrchy's avatar
nrchy
2,124 posts
 
Audioengr and I have disagreed on many subjects in the past, but at the point of pushing his own cables I have to take exception. After all the discussion on this and other threads I still do not know what cables he makes or sells. He isn't pushing too hard!
In my opinion he is pushing his design philosophy and understanding more than his cable. I'm sure his opinion is just as welcome here as anyone elses.
I guess we'll continue to disagree, but I always like to read what he has to say. Who knows, I might learn something after all.
sean
6,231 posts
 
Audioengr: What consistent factors have you found amongst all of these cables that makes you think that they perform better than other cables not mentioned ? That is the whole point that i was getting at earlier when i asked "what electrical or physical characteristics make a cable neutral" ? Sean
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