2. cables
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cables are they worth it?

I own a mid-fi system:
CEC TL51x $1500
Wadia 12 $500
VPI Scout $1200
Lyra Dorian $800
Rotel Pre and power $1000
Clearaudio basic $300
Impulse speakers $3000
Wireworld atlantis 5 $500

Total about $8300 my gut feeling tells me spending more then $200 per interconnect would be a waste of money. Soon my phono pre, pre and power will hopefully be replaced my an intergrated. Meaning I need 2 interconnects. Right now I own a Cardas Hexlink 5C and a Cardas Golden Five.
I asked an "expert" on what interconnects I should use and he recommened JPS Labs Superconductor 3 or Synergistic Research Tricon. Both cost around $800 each for 1 meter. Isn't that way overkill for my system?
The same for powercords would it be a waste to spend more then $50 on them, none of my power outlets are grounded.

Sure I would like to believe that expensive cables have a positive influence that is why I bought the Cardas some time ago. But I am really not sure if they are better teh a $50 wallmart cable.

Ps I live in the Netherlands.
mordante

Showing 4 responses by shadorne

shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Musicnoise,

An audiophile was boarding a plane.

"Excuse me sir, but you will have to run that briefcase through the X-ray inspection machine."

... a moment later the secuity inspector frantically hits the emergency stop button on the X-ray machine, as he sees the audiophile lying down on the conveyer belt about to enter the machine.

"What are you doing - you can't put yourself through that machine. Just give me that suitcase and step through the metal detector over here."

"I can't, says the audiophile, it isn't a suitcase at all - it's the power conditioner for my pace maker!"
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Both cost around $800 each for 1 meter

Others will disagree, but $800 is much better spent elsewhere, IMHO. There is absolutely nothing wrong with ordinary Walmart cable in most cases. How much is better construction, better shield, better looking and better connectors worth to you? Fundamentally, wire is wire - and there is nothing toxic about Walmart wire - except perhaps lead paint on the connector??

If it makes you feel more secure in the knowledge that you have a couple of impressively priced, high quality and rare interconnects then go for it. (For some, eliminating the agony of doubt/fears about their system sound quality is worth this price)
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,477 posts
 
A good quality van den hul cable, as Jaybo suggested, should last much longer than a walmart cable. In a humid environment (Netherlands?), cheap cables will corrode more quickly (discoloration of the copper under the jacket) and with many cheap cables the jacket becomes stiff and may eventually develop cracks irrespective of humidity. These are good reasons to get a better cable and only you can decide if this is enough to offset their higher cost. Like a good quality car a good cable may be more expensive but can be expected to last longer with lower maintenance/running cost. Just two cents.
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Musicnoise,

An audiophile was being rushed to the hospital after a heart attack. The paramedics revived him in the ambulance. Firstly, when he woke up, he was extremely upset and said he would sue them for using an ordinary power cord on the defibrillator. Secondly, he made them turn around and go back to his home so he could bring his own set of power cords and cables to the hospital.
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