Cable Cost

[The Trace]

After watching M. Fremers video of his visit to Audioquest it only confirms (to me) that cables are perhaps the most overpriced component in audio. The personnel, buildings, providing abundant advertising, trade shows, and whatever else leads to this observation. The actual components seem to be in the low end of the food chain from what information I have managed to gather. There are no moving parts, intricate parts, just mostly wire, dialectic, connections in most cases. Am I missing something here? This looks to be a category where "price is the product" It must be great and magical because it costs so much.

[Masterlu]

What complex moving parts are in your amplifier? Lots of R&D, patents, and production processes.

[The Trace]

My amps, preamps, phono-amp, and other components contain numerous components each. Rather than get into a defense mode I will just leave it as my opinion..... and trust in the "Distortion-less transmission line" theory. Proven 150 years ago.

[Audioraven]

Cables are no different than any other product offered to the consumer. Some are overpriced, some are underpriced and some are priced just right.

[Mikado463]

Originally Posted by The Trace

After watching M. Fremers video of his visit to Audioquest it only confirms (to me) that cables are perhaps the most overpriced component in audio.

'ya think ? ............

are you old enough to remember many years ago when Stereo Review (if I recall correctly) had their equipment publication ? at that time speakers occupied the biggest portion....why ? margin baby, margin !

Well cables / wire are where it's at today...........example MIT 'top of line' speaker cables, 70k plus .......... insanity is not confined to those already institutionalize for Gods sake !

[The Trace]

When stereo publications were nothing more than letter-sized material, stapled in the corner, NO ads at all. Reviews and opinion only. One of the published a review of the Fournier speaker and it was better than the 2nd Coming. It was later found that the speaker co. was owned by the publication. I believe that publication is still around. But then so am I.

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by The Trace

When stereo publications were nothing more than letter-sized material, stapled in the corner, NO ads at all. Reviews and opinion only. One of the published a review of the Fournier speaker and it was better than the 2nd Coming. It was later found that the speaker co. was owned by the publication. I believe that publication is still around. But then so am I.

Peter Aczel recently passed away and had stopped writing/publishing a while back.

[The Trace]

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

Peter Aczel recently passed away and had stopped writing/publishing a while back.

I had thought the publication was around but obviously I was wrong. I do remember the conflict of interest which contributed to my cynical nature.

[vegaracer1]

I must say that as my cable prices have increased so has my detail, soundstage and enjoyment of the music. If you can't tell the difference in more expensive cables then consider yourself lucky. But if you haven't compared what you use with some of the nice cable's out there you may be missing out.

[The Trace]

I have been fortunate enough to be able to compare a number of other products.... and did not intend to this to go in this direction. Haven't tried the Nordost top line. But I am familiar with cable theory. I was privileged to have been put in what I believe to be the right direction by the late A.J. Conti. And I will respect his position on cables and metallurgy. But after all is said and done you might be surprised the wire companies are willing to sell their product in smaller quantities and what you can do with it. But connections can cost.