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Cables Are Crazy, what do you think?

I have been in several arguments with my best friends father on the subject of high end audio components and cables. He is a DR. of physics and mathmatics and always takes the stance that cables just transfer information and should show no effect on sound performance. He does stipulate that depending on the material used can change what information is transfered. He is no audiophile and I have tried to sit him down and show him what does happen when you do use different cables but he never seems to make the time to let me prove to him that different cables have different sounds. I know cable make a huge difference in a system, but does any one know how I can verbalize that to a DR. of physics with more intellegence then it just sounds different with different cables?
willypinecrest
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
I guess my general point was that cables can exhibit differences which can be measured.

Yes and the measurements can be explained by science too. 100% agree.
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
high end cables are todays version of an equalizer, with the frustration of trial and error.
nicolaskl
2 posts
 
invite him over for some blind testing. He swaps the cables, you identify them. Do it 10 out of 10 times and he'll have to admit you're right.
narrod
1,064 posts
 
"invite him over for some blind testing. He swaps the cables, you identify them. Do it 10 out of 10 times and he'll have to admit you're right."

I would be surprised if anyone could do that in a controlled test.
spoolyt
20 posts
 
HiFi is a hobby. As with any other hobbies, It comes down to your disposable income, and how much of it you are willing to part with to get the difference you are looking for.

We all would like everyone to agree w/ us, but that seldom happens. No need to argue over it. If he refuses to keep an open mind, not much we can do.

Does your Dr friend bug stamp collectors about why they waste money on useless old stamps? Or question people with supercars when a Honda Civic gets to point A to point B just fine? Or question grown men why they play with chu-chu train sets in his garage/basement? Why drink wine when beer is cheaper? Does he think of the arts as waste of time and effort?

But let your DR friend check out a set up like this:

http://picasaweb.google.com/SpoolyT/TAA2008#5241597791669427362

I am SURE he'll hear a difference. After he hears/feesl the difference, then ask your doctor friend if there is a scientific measurement for 'sound stage', or 'texture', or 'tonality', or 'fluidty'.
Or better yet, ask him describe the difference in shades of green he sees..

Sometimes it is still hard to verbalize the difference you hear/'feel'. Science has a hard time explaining things we see/hear/feel/taste/smell...

Yes, cables are crazy expensive, because cables are crazy expensive to manufacture. VERY few cable companies own foundries to refine copper/silver and the associated manufacturing process that it takes to produce 'audiophile' grade cable.
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