Is High End Cable Really Worth It and What Brand

You never "need" what you can't hear. If a dealer is so sure about your needs, they will offer you an in-home audition. If they aren't so sure, I wouldn't be either.

Jsdk:

The choice of speaker cables for one's system is a frequent topic here on Audiogon, and there are many threads available in the A-gon archive. I suggest you spend a bit of time and look at some of the posts about speaker cables made over the past 1-2 years.

You can find the "search" box for the audio archive at the bottom of the page that comes up when you click on "More Chat" at the bottom of the discussion forum section.

Two moderately priced (by high-end standards) speaker cables that I have found to work well with almost all systems are the Kimber Kable 8TC and 4TC, and the Alpha-Core Goertz MI2 Veracity. You will find these two cables mentioned in many of the archived threads, but there are many other choices as well that might serve you well.

The previous suggestion to audition cables in your own system, in your own home, is excellent advice. Ultimately, you should trust your own ears -- you may or may not hear much audible difference between cables, and if you can't hear the difference, don't spend the money.

Having upgraded almost my entire system over the last two years it has been interesting listening to the changes. One cable will sound harsh with one preamp but spectacular with another. From my limited experience: Audioquest Clear is a very nice cable, Straightwire Serenade works well with everything but does not excel, Straightwire Virtuoso can be harsh with some systems: but in the right system it sounds great. My favorite cable happens to be the Audience AU24. It sparkles where the other cables shine, and its so small. That said, the best advice is above, find a dealer or one of the internet cable companies to let you try out cables or, buy them used at audiogon for 1/2 price.

Forget the dealer route. They usually have the cable that's "the best for you." There are major differences in cables. You do not have to go to crazy $$ to get there, but in the world of cabledom $500 is small potatoes. As, has been said before me, audition, on loan, where you can. You must hear the cable in your system. Also, and this is very difficult for some: trust your own ears. That's all that matters. Cable can be a real ego trip for some. I have suffered through this malady, too, but have been cured through Audiogon therapy, my pocketbook, and plain old time and experience. You will get everything you need, right here on the 'gon. Read, absorb, buy, listen, keep or sell. That's the fun of this mania. Good luck. warren

I've experimented with many speaker cables, and have
a relatively "high-end" system, but I've settled on
Alpha-core Goertz MI-2 cables. They are very neutral,
with excellent extension at the frequency extremes, and
are a bargain to boot. I just sold a pair and replaced
them with the same cable of different length and
termination because I purchased a new amp. I've bought
pricey interconnects, but have no desire to switch from
the MI-2 speaker cables.