Componets first, cables second?

The arguments in favor of expensive cables here are the same ones my high end hi-fi dealer uses and even "Best Buy" applies this same argument, although at a much lower tier of cabling. This argument carries a lot of weight in the audiophile biz and there are hundreds of testimonials that reinforce this viewpoint. The argument also happens to be a marketing dream because the logic says that you simply don't hear as much cable differences with "unresolving" gear. Therefore if the cable does not work enough for you then it is says nothing about the expensive wire itself, instead it implies that an upgrade of gear is in order (either to more resolution or to better synergy or wait more time for break-in to occur), and vice-versa ad infinitum.

The absence of a well-accepted, plain, practical engineering-type explanation of the how and why a more expensive piece of wire should work much better in audio than an appropriate (but ordinary) piece of wire raises too many questions for my liking. However, to each his own - if cables make a difference for you then go for it! I am a minority and the majority is most often right - the Wisdom of Crowds, yes?

I guess ultimately what I am getting at here ( and it is good to hear all these opinions) is in my process of upgrading and budgeting how much should I put aside for cabling?

Of course that is impossible for anyone here to answer except myself. But the way I see it now is putting down a signifigant chunk of change for a choice component and then slowly upgrading cables might be wisr than splitting the difference. Sure i could buy a set of steath indra's but then my cdp might end up costing equal to or less than the cables.
So do have the cables cost a third of my player, a quarter, less? Or do I go all out, for a component, throw in a 100-200 dollar pair of cables and worry about upgrading later?

Maybe this line of thinking is like trying to put holes in swiss cheese...or something like that

Peter, there is no one right answer here. Shardone, no, you are not wrong, as this is not a right or wrong, black or white area. Things audio are never that simple.

Peter, I would just go out and buy the best component you like now, that is the priority. Worry about the cables later. Cables are more for fine tuning in a system's synergy. Certainly a fine tuned system will sound better than a collection of expensive gear. However, that takes time. You need to start with the components, then find cables that make them sing together. You cannot choose the cables first and then try to find components that mesh with them. My only comment is to not spend so much on components that you never address the cables. A well balanced system is just that, well balanced. You may find a great cable for little $$$, you may also find a great component for little $$$.

There are no magic solutions, no shortcuts. No one here can tell you what components or cables that you will like. No one can tell you how much you should spend on any one item. It's trial and error. You just have to do some of the experiments yourself, using your room and your ears. Sorry.....that's just the way it is.

Remember, the journey IS the adventure.

Enjoy!

John

Pretty funny Shadorne for a guy with two systems primarily made up of consumer electronics...

I would hear no difference in cabling with those components either...

I have no way of knowing, but how good is your hearing? You have perfect pitch ???

It is very seldom that the cables cost as much,or more than the component.There are exceptions.Though I must admit that the cables I use are not cheap,but as I down-graded I kept the original cables.I guess it may depend on whether you are on the way up or down.They say you meet the same people on the way up ,as you do on the way down.