Schiit's wrong about cables

[PeterMusic]

Enjoying my Yggy for the past several years, I've never questioned Schiit's recommendation to use simply "good" cables to connect to my preamp. I had a pair of Transparent Musiclink RCAs ($200) from my previous DAC, so I kept them.

Spurred by a desire to set up a second system, I decided to try out a pair of balanced cables with the Yggy and move the less expensive Musiclinks to the junior varsity. My dealer had outfitted the rest of my current interconnects as Transparent Plus ($400) a year ago, so when I told him I wanted balanced he sent me home with Transparent Plus Balanced ($800) and Transparent Super RCA ($800) to compare.

On comparing the Plus Balanced to the Musiclink RCA, the balanced cables were better in a subtle way--a bit more shimmer on vibraphones and the like, a bit more decay. But pretty much in line with Schiit's advice that cables aren't a big deal and balanced is better than single-ended.

But then I tried the Super RCAs--WOW! A huge improvement across the board and especially the texture of acoustic instruments, vocals, and imaging. It's kind of like a hose opened up. This was as big an improvement to my system as a new set of speakers or amplifier--better than than the Yggy upgrade I posted on a few months ago. I have a loaner set of Transparent Ultra RCAs ($1600) coming next week for one last comparison, but I'm ecstatic already.

YMMV, but if you are using simply "good" interconnects, and you have a nearby dealer who will loan you some cables, it is well worth the time to think about an upgrade.

Rock on

[Puma Cat]

I think that Schiit actually knows that cables matter, but they also know the ire and rancor that making statements about cables causes on audio forums (particularly with "objectivists"), so they've just decided not to "go there".

[Formerly YB-2]

I must be a 'cable objectivist'. I object to not having the best possible cables that I can afford in my system. As with Peter, a loaner pair of cables from a dealer 30yr ago was an audio epiphany.

[Puma Cat]

I must be a 'cable objectivist'. I object to not having the best possible cables that I can afford in my system. As with Peter, a loaner pair of cables from a dealer 30yr ago was an audio epiphany.

:D

[US Blues]

Paul McGowan of PS Audio credits Mike Moffatt of Schiit with providing him with his first cable epiphany many years ago. As @Puma Cat rightly notes, Jason Stoddard is very reticent to indulge in conversations about cables and fuses in on-line forums, with good reason.

I have Wireworld balanced cables running from my Yggy to my preamp and could not be more delighted by the sonic presentation.

Everything matters. :yes:

[Puma Cat]

Paul McGowan of PS Audio credits Mike Moffatt of Schiit with providing him with his first cable epiphany many years ago. As @Puma Cat rightly notes, Jason Stoddard is very reticent to indulge in conversations about cables and fuses in on-line forums, with good reason.

I have Wireworld balanced cables running from my Yggy to my preamp and could not be more delighted by the sonic presentation.

Everything matters. :yes:

Agreed. Having read Jason's Schiit Happened e-book for the last number of years, its very clear these are very sharp guys running a very successful business, and staying focused on they actually have control over: their own product development and portfolio. They don't have any control or influence over the types and brands of cables people use, so why waste time and energy on things that are outside of the control of your business? Staying focused on what you have control and influence over vs. what you don't is much more effective.