I tend to agree that cables are variable, just like all audio components. You can have the best speakers in the world but if the room isn’t a good match (maybe too big, too small, whatever) it won’t make a great combination. Same with amplifiers which much match the speakers or you won’t have a good time.
A cable might be far better than the rest in one system, but not necessarily the best match in every single system. That's part of the reason why it can be hard to gain consensus on audio gear. Everyone hears things differently and has their own priorities which makes things more complex, but also they may actually be hearing different results based on system matching. So it's tough to say.
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@v-fi agreed. I tell people that. Everyone is not going to like every cable. It depends on your room and equipment and what your system needs. It just depends.
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Same as everything in audio, it’s always subjective, and the synergy is different on different components. Good materials, connectors, dielectric, shielding, design, etc., is only a starting point. You always have to listen to cables on your rig to find out how they sound.
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A good cable can't be depended on systems. That's a biased ear statement. A better cable always sounds better than inferior sound cables in any systems.
The audio system plays to sound the original music. The better cable sounds closer to the original music in any system. If one hears that a inferior cable (more different from the original sound) sounds better, his ears are biased.
Cable companies are saying "the cable needs synergy and matching" is because their cables don't sound the original sound. Alex/Wavetouch audio
OP All cables are not for all systems.
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Currently, and for the past 20 years or so, I've always used three or four different brands of cables in my audio systems. After extensive research and experimentation with cables throughout the years, I found that this methodology works best for this veteran audiophile. In the game of high-end audio, it's every man/woman for himself/ herself. Each individual audiophile is different and must figure these things out for themselves. Happy listing.
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@kennymacc great point. That also is another point I was making. We are all looking for a particular sound or musical experience. Our ears are not the same. We all are seeking sounds that are enjoyable to us in our own systems. Everyman for himself. The whole reason I demo is because I want people to make sure it’s right for their system. For what they like.
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@knotscott great point I agree with you. We all have different equipment, components, rooms and taste.
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Not sure “quality” is right word. For me, it’s sonics (how it sounds….or absence of any), matching, within budget.
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Cabling makes a difference, but its net effect in specific instances (good versus bad) can be very random. I think many of us (including myself) have/had a strong bias to asssume more expensive cabling should sound better is some way - but that’s a very weak correlation, if at all. One thing, when sorting out different cables, is that the sound of solid silver (not silver plate) is a bit more consistent than other aspects across cables. And I usually (not always) prefer it - but it’s certainly very expensive these days.
One thing that rubs me the wrong way (along with ludicrous pricing) is all the stupid names & marketing speak used for high-end models and especially the so-called "tech" behind them. Is Audioquest’s "Zero" tech really anything more than individually shielding the + and - conductors from each other? Personally I don’t really care if the noise floor is now - 121dB instead of -120. Tone and perception of dynamics is far more important to me. What do reviewers even mean when they cite something having the "blackest background"? I don’t listen to silence, and with vinyl being my primary source, any base noise floor is getting swamped by groove noise anyways.
And finally - I think the act of removing cables & putting them back in has a wiping effect on any oxides that have accumulated on the contacts. If you haven't cleaned them in a while, this could give an advantage to the next "new" cable you plug in. Be sure to clean the old cables and plug them back in for subsequent comparison!
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The subjective evaluation of a cable and the differences between it and another cable are dependent heavily on many set of parameters :
The system gear pieces synergy ...
The system gear pieces mechanical vibrations/resonance controls...
The system gear pieces electrical noise floor controls and EMI & RFI controls...
The system/room acoustics controls parameters state..
The psycho-acoustics biases of our hearing/brain state...
Takes any publicity with a grain of salt...
But it is evident that there exist differences between cables (small one) for me and for many people..
But those who use superlatives about cables most of the times had no idea about these others parameters power i just enumerated which created huge differences each one of them compared to cables change..
I will change soon my low cost RCA cable to a priciest one (i hope a better  )
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@mulveling
I think many of us (including myself) have/had a strong bias to assume more expensive cabling should sound better is some way - but that’s a very weak correlation, if at all.
100%. One example of this is companies that sell direct and skip the distributor AND the dealer mark ups.
Q: What is the best cable?
A: The one with the best margin.
Kidding...sort of...
I also hate the marketing fluffy, BS terminology. Just describe materials, construction.
Anyway, I agree cables matter but I either buy direct or used and don't believe you must have a complete loom (although they look nice) because the applications/requirements/synergies are different between SC/PC/IC etc.
I.E., the speakers have no idea and don't care what ICs you are using.
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Try what works for you in your system. All of us have different levels of equipment , speakers, cables and Dacs. In different listening environments
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When I discovered AudiogoN many years ago, I had no experience with high-end audio. I couldn’t afford much but was fascinated by the tech - and the underlying physics. I was like a sponge - learning from all of the veteran audiophiles in the various discussion groups. There were plenty of posters who ranted about ’high-end’ cabling as marketing nonsense. Not knowing who to believe, I took the easiest path of dismissing ’status’ brands. But I was always curious about their R&D.
Each of the components in my modest system are from different companies. Several are boutique brands. I wondered if a full loom of cabling from the same company might provide a coherent and dynamic SQ. When I read this favorable review, I took the plunge to try just one - with a 30 day return trial period. It never went back. Now, I have almost a complete loom of Synergistic Research cabling. The tuning modules allow me to tweak the SQ. Along with cleaning up the power, my modest system has never sounded so good.
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@kennymacc +1
While a full loom of cables seems logical, I find it hard to believe that any cable company can make equally good interconnects - power cables - speaker cables or digital/HDMI cables. My personal experience backs this up; so, I won't ever go with a full loom of cables again, because there was always a let- down with something. Of course, YMMV.
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It's completely opposite. If a company knows how to make any cable correctly, they can make other cables correctly too. No company's figured out how to make a single cable correctly yet. I know this because I make all cables correctly. Alex/Wavetouch audio
mitchagain While a full loom of cables seems logical, I find it hard to believe that any cable company can make equally good interconnects - power cables - speaker cables or digital/HDMI cables. My personal experience backs this up; so, I won't ever go with a full loom of cables again, because there was always a let- down with something.
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I think many of you forget or don’t know cables are part of the circuit and depending on the resistance, capacitance and inductance of the cable that circuit is affected. EMI is just a very small part of it. I know of amps that have zero protection circuits and if you put in hi capacitance cables the amp will go into oscillation. Other systems too much inductance can cause a slight roll off to the top end, etc. Speaker cables can add to the inductance and capacitance of the speaker’s crossover if too hi. Etc. Many things are causing what we hear in different cables.
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Once you get to a price point they are all good.
then you begin to split hairs .
you really have get use to your system sounding the way it does with
those cables. It’s hard to milk every ounce of performance with cables
because there are too many variables.
once a manufacturer begins to make cables that are technically
matched to every component then you might get closer
to Nirvana.
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I agree with the earlier thought that certain cables are a better match for certain gear. My approach has been to mix and match cables till I find the best synergy.
In my system I have Shunyata Omega and Jorma Statement for the key components; I prefer the tone of the Jorma cables on my DAC and Music Server whereas the Shunyata sounds best on my T+A Integrated and external power supply.
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Bottom line everything matters, if your system is on the lower end of the spectrum it is less evident.
A $5000.00 power cable benefits will not make a $500 amplifier sound like a $5000.00 amplifier. I have several systems in my house and what works in one system is not guaranteed to work or be as dramatic a change in another.
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@mitchagain we at infigo took our time. We tested for a whole year. We tried different things on a consistent basis to arrive at what we sell. Hans based on his science and engineering background ground did things based on what he knew and the results that came from it. That’s the reason we are moving to providing an entire loom at a time for loan instead of just one cable. It allows the customer to try it out for themselves. Wish more would do it.
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@calvinj Thank you for your detailed and nuanced response. I am a big believer in the concept of thinking "outside the box" can and often does eventually lead to something better. As others have noted in their comments, there will always be a significant percentage of audio enthusiasts that will find the idea of going with a full loom of cables to be appealing to them (for a wide variety of reasons). So, that marketing strategy should be a safe bet.
The flip side of that coin is many of us in this hobby can be plagued by either FOMO (fear of missing out); or, they have gotten the components in their audio systems to a level of satisfaction, that tinkering with tweaks and/or new (or different) cables is all that we have left to try and stay involved in this wonderful hobby of ours.
To each their own. I wish you continued success in your endeavors!
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My ideas about Cables has in recent years been more aligned to not the Construction of the Cable only, but quite focused on the Wire Type used for the Signal Path.
This has been the fundamental of my Cable Interest until a more recent demonstration.
I will make it easier to Grasp.
1, 2 x Identical Cables with Brand Specified Terminations are available costing close to £500 per metre for each Cable for each cable.
2, 1 x Cable is subjected to being trialled with alternate designs for Terminations, where RCA Connectors are Solid Copper, but typically Low Mass or Low Eddy by design. Where Low Eddy became the choice selected by the Cable owner.
3, Same Analogue Source > 2 x same Phonostages are available both to be connected to the same Power Amp'.
Power Amp' has been adorned with Solid Coppper Low Eddy Connection on the Chassis in advance, as a result of earlier trials.
4, 1 x Phonostage Pre' has Low Mass Solid Copper Connectors on the chassis, the other has Low Eddy Solid Copper Connectors on the chassis.
All Wire used in the Signal Path from Tonearm Wand Wire to Power Amp' is PC Triple C.
The use of Low Eddy Connectors with this Wire Type proved to be substantial as a comparison to Low Mass Solid Copper.
The Cable with Producers Termination just fell to the way side as a selection and this was extremely impressive.
The investigations undertaken in this system, discovered an interface that far surpassed any other that could be put in place where an easy removable umbilical was to be maintained.
The extra time spent, certainly showed where a impressive End Sound Cable and f very well put together Cable Design, was able to be modified and present beyond what the manufacturer had been able to create as their saleable Cable.
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@mitchagain Hans at infigo worked in noise reduction for Resonessence Labs the sister company to Ess Sabre labs so his experience as a scientist led to the signature sound of our cables and the absolute openness and quiet backgrounds that exist in them. It’s a lot that went into the actual development.
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