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Cable Costs Relative to System

Since making a spread sheet with my audio system prices, I have been thinking(shocked) about my total investment in cables. My total system retails at $67,000 (Digital and analog front ends included). I purchased all of it here on Audiogon so my investment is about 50%. Of that I have about 10% invested in interconnects and cables and another 10% in Power Cables (Shunyata Hydra included). That's $13,000 worth of wire. I'm starting to question whether it might be more effective to put some of this budget into acitve components. It would take forever to listen to all possible combinations, but would like to hear others experiences with relatively high end systems and cable selection. It would seem to me that the point of diminishing returns would be reached sooner with cables than with speakers and amps. Do most of you follow the 10% "rule" for cabling? How do PCs fit into this rule? Are there any super bargain cables capable of keeping up with highly resolving electronics?
metaphysics

Showing 3 responses by abex

abex
322 posts
 
After hearing Transparent Cables I see why those with alot of $$ pay for the exotics!
While those at the lower end of the Tax paying spectrum must hope to find the most cost effective solution.For myself it was getting a 47Labs OTA Cable Kit which could fill in for my internal speaker wire and wire most of the rest of my system. I think it come to about $500 in cables I spent total with the whole system going for $10K New.

As for percentage that it made up I guess it would be 5%. I think now it comes down to getting better with diminishing returns.
abex
322 posts
 
I really do not think you should equate cost to performance in audio. I see $4000 amps not worth $400 and $400 amps that are worthy of alot more than they are offerd at.

Cables are system dependant. While it is true that you can get good stuff that is highly priced it is also true you can get good stuff at a lower price also that fits your system and hearing personality enough to be well satisfied.

If you have ever heard an expensive setup that sounded like junk you know what I mean.

I might not have a SOTA system ,but I do believe I have a musical system.

BTW I would own Apogees or Maggies ,Infact I did ,but I had to sell them because of room. The speakers I have now I feel are just as transparent with good dinamics as the Maggies I owned.

They make me happy!
abex
322 posts
 
Home Design
I have owned Magnepan and auditioned quite a few Planar and Electrostatic designs before buying them. After that I heard NEARs which to this day are reference speakers and also for alot of other folks. I now own a few sets and I really cannot think of another speaker I could want.

Many factors go into a persons decision in buying speakers. Foremost in my mind is the room they will be using.

I cannot see how any one speaker will ever be as great as what you are saying . It is to much of a personal decision according to to many various factors that nedd to be considered.

Although they may great speakers.Hope they give you many years of happy playback.
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