Cables Make a Difference?

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by 1KW

[angel]

Voted yes, but the word "improvements" is not correct. Should read "differences" IMHO.

[jetblack]

I'm more or less in David's camp. I certainly noticed a difference in the cable switch. I wouldn't categorize it as a 'Wow' difference, but I noticed an improvement, and I haven't looked back. With any cable, the difference can be due to the wire & insulation materials used, and how the wire wrapping and insulation is designed.

[Audio 1]

In my opinion the cables are a component just like any other piece of equipment we own. Until we figure out a way to configure a system without them then they will always be a determining factor in the sound of a system.

So, yes cable selection is a very important aspect of system synergy and performance.

[Omerta]

Originally Posted by hkval

It would be nice to have the convenience of being able to try several brands and quality levels in our home system before making the cable decision.

www.thecableco.com will make that happen for you

[Face]

Originally Posted by angel

Voted yes, but the word "improvements" is not correct. Should read "differences" IMHO.

+1...

[blacsno]

Originally Posted by angel

Voted yes, but the word "improvements" is not correct. Should read "differences" IMHO.

Unless I'm not understanding what I'm reading. Differences means coloring the music to me!? Improvement is things that improve audio representation!?

Ken

[angel]

There's a nice article on cables by Tom Nusaine, a respected name in professional audio circles, which is still available on his web site.
http://www.nousaine.com/pdfs/Wired%20Wisdom.pdf

[Still-One]

One man's improvement is another persons . Every piece of gear and interconnect and speaker-wire has some impact what exits your speakers. Some people keep swapping out components, speakers and cables 'till they find a set-up they really enjoy listening to. Just a lot of variables that have no absolute correct answer.
Jim

[angel]

Cables can definitely play a significant role, especially at longer lengths.
While it may be difficult or even impossible to distinguish between different speaker cables at short lengths, e.g. a few feet, when the length is increased to tens or hundreds of feet things can get really nasty, readily verifiable with measurements and observation.
In my experience, amp outputs are generally more tolerant of load variations. Signal cables can make a big difference, since the typical line-level outputs of most devices are quite sensitive and intolerant of capacitance. Some cables can add hundreds, even thousands of picofarads to the load, which can cause an HF roll-off in the best case, ringing or even oscillations in extreme cases.

Still, the word "improvement" is misleading, imho, as there is nothing to be 'improved' in a recording. It's downhill all the way quality wise one can only adjust the slope. And it takes just one inferior link to weaken a chain.

Wouldn't it be nice if equipment manufacturers published recommended load conditions for their gear, to minimize the guesswork? Cartridge manufacturers do, providing a figure for recommended load resistance and capacitance. It would still leave room for personal preference, but it would be an informed decision and not 'shooting in the dark..