Are cables additive or subtractive?

There’s lots of debates here about the effectiveness of cables. Let’s please keep that elsewhere so we can have a DIFFERENT discussion about cables.

Let’s assume for argument’s sake that yes, cables make a difference and that it’s worth paying for that difference.

Lets assume that is true, then lets ask the question:

Again, for this thread, assume cables change something audible.

What do you think and what are your experiences?

Also, let's try to avoid sweeping generalities and try to focus on what happens along this axis: Subtraction or addition.

erik_squires12-30-2022 3:55pm

the-audiophile-barista Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 32 posts 12-31-2022 at 08:57am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete My 2 cents: Cables can’t add more or ‘better’ information than is in the original signal (cd, LP, high rez file, master tape), so cables can only ‘contaminate’ the original signal. If we call the original music signal “100%” and you replace a cable that only gives you 70% (of the original 100%) for one that gives you 90%, it will sound 20% better, but it did not become 120%.