Understanding Cables Better - Questions

[Killergurt]

Hi Cable Aficionados,

I have some basic questions about cables. I am looking to better understand the tonality differences between cables. I am not asking which cables are better, just figure out if there is a market consensus about specific brands and their "sound flavor". For example: are there brands that sound brighter than others? Or that have specific characteristics in general.

I have been using multiple cable brands in my system and trying to decide whether I should move to one brand, or cherry pick cables for each component separately. I currently use Kimber, WW and Audioquest across my system(speakers, interconnects and power). I tend to like "brighter" sound and sometimes feel that my system produces a fuller/heavier sound.

My other questions:

1. Do I need to use the same XLR brand between my Amps and Preamp and then between my DAC and Preamp? Or is it common to mix and match?

2. What would have more audible effect on sound, Amp->Preamp or DAC->Preamp cables?

I don't have the budget to purchase the top of the line cables so I always aim for middle of the pack when I buy (example: WW Eclipse 7 Interconnects, Kimber Base series).

Apologies for the many questions, and thank you in advance!

My system:
Preamp: PS Audio BHK
DAC: PS Audio DS DAC
Phono stage: PS Audio Nuwave
Amps: Mcintosh 601's
Speakers: B&W 802D

[Catcher10]

Tough question but I would say silver seems, for most, to be associated with a brighter sound or add that character to your system.

Maybe depending where you are you can find a dealer that will let you borrow some different cables to hear in your system.

[audio bill]

As far as there being a market consensus about specific cable brands, I think you'll find in general there's very little consensus about anything among audiophiles! There are as many unique cable designs as there are opinions about them and their sonic attributes. Some feel that you're best advised using one brand of cable throughout your system since they're most likely to have some synergy, while combining different brands can take more time and effort to achieve a desired balance. You do not have to use the same brand of ICs between your source and preamp as you do between amp and preamp but you may find it easier to do so. There is no substitute for experimentation and it is strongly recommended to find a dealer to work with who can provide guidance for your system and hopefully some loaner cables to demo. When doing cable demos I'd suggest avoiding short listening sessions and quick changes, rather to listen to a given cable for an extended time and then switch back to your original reference. I find it usually obvious at that point to determine which is better.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by audio bill

I think you'll find in general there's very little consensus about anything among audiophiles!

Bill.......You've got that right.

[Killergurt]

Originally Posted by audio bill

As far as there being a market consensus about specific cable brands, I think you'll find in general there's very little consensus about anything among audiophiles! There are as many unique cable designs as there are opinions about them and their sonic attributes. Some feel that you're best advised using one brand of cable throughout your system since they're most likely to have some synergy, while combining different brands can take more time and effort to achieve a desired balance. You do not have to use the same brand of ICs between your source and preamp as you do between amp and preamp but you may find it easier to do so. There is no substitute for experimentation and it is strongly recommended to find a dealer to work with who can provide guidance for your system and hopefully some loaner cables to demo. When doing cable demos I'd suggest avoiding short listening sessions and quick changes, rather to listen to a given cable for an extended time and then switch back to your original reference. I find it usually obvious at that point to determine which is better.

Thank you Bill, this is very helpful.
So everything is subjective when it comes to cables? If I would to try and work with my dealer to experiment with different brands, what should I do first? Speaker cables? Source? Amps?

[audio bill]

Originally Posted by Killergurt

Thank you Bill, this is very helpful.
So everything is subjective when it comes to cables? If I would to try and work with my dealer to experiment with different brands, what should I do first? Speaker cables? Source? Amps?

While deciding which cables you ultimately prefer is a subjective process, it is much easier to choose one or two manufacturer's products to demo and then try a few levels of their cables to determine your sweet spot when it comes to sonic performance and value. Deciding which cables are most significant to you is again a subject of much debate, but as others have suggested power cables can be very significant and should not be overlooked. Some find speaker cable to be more important than interconnects while other find the reverse to be true. Again it can be system dependent as well as what your preferences are. You have to be patient doing cable evaluations, since if you try to make quick decisions you end up frustrated and prone to be led astray.

[prepress]

The biggest single difference I heard in my system was due to changing the power cord on my preamp. I was so impressed, I bought more of that same cord (a Transparent HPPC) for everything that didn't have a captive cord. A 1m goes for $250, so it's not outrageously expensive. I'm content with my speaker cable and interconnects, so no changes planned there.

I agree with getting to know the sound you have, then trying one change, assessing any differences, and go from there. After the preamp change, I did the power amps then the sources. Changes in sound were less dramatic but noticeable with the power amp change, and with the sources even less so. But if I'd started with the sources who knows? THAT may have produced a similar effect. But the preamp affects everything, not just one component, so it made sense to start with it because I thought it would make the greatest impact on the system's overall sound. It did.

[essjay]

Originally Posted by audio bill

As far as there being a market consensus about specific cable brands, I think you'll find in general there's very little consensus about anything among audiophiles! There are as many unique cable designs as there are opinions about them and their sonic attributes. Some feel that you're best advised using one brand of cable throughout your system since they're most likely to have some synergy, while combining different brands can take more time and effort to achieve a desired balance. You do not have to use the same brand of ICs between your source and preamp as you do between amp and preamp but you may find it easier to do so. There is no substitute for experimentation and it is strongly recommended to find a dealer to work with who can provide guidance for your system and hopefully some loaner cables to demo. When doing cable demos I'd suggest avoiding short listening sessions and quick changes, rather to listen to a given cable for an extended time and then switch back to your original reference. I find it usually obvious at that point to determine which is better.

This is probably the best reply i have yet seen to such a cable question on AA.

[For The Love of Music]

Originally Posted by essjay

This is probably the best reply i have yet seen to such a cable question on AA.

Adding a thought to this instead of cabling swap, write down certain points in your selection of songs, listen enough so you know them inside and out and then compare when confident.

I cross brand my system keeping preamp and amps the same family and all source and power the second family.

No straight answer then take your time, and don’t be influenced other then yourself

[FDPDK]

Killergurt.

After i tried Power cables in my system and reading about it , it seems that one should start there. I was surprised in how much it gave over stock cords and cheap distributor.

Bu i am sure that there are many here with much more experience than i have.