Can hi-end cables benefit less expensive electronics?
Some time ago, there was a guy on a Polish hi-end forum claiming that in his case it was better to buy some hi-end power chord than investing in a more expensive CD player. Has anybody had an experience where they invested in an expensive cable and felt the investment justified without upgrading the unit utilising the cable? Overall, would there possibly be any point in buying some expensive cable to feed electronics nearly the cost of the cable itself? I'm currently using a KT88 amplifier with a Metronome CD8 (which is also used as DAC) plus Metronome DSS as the streamer (transport only). Speakers: Franco Serblin Accords. In my case, an upgrade in electronics would involve spending at least USD 15,000 to make it sensible. But I can also spend much less and buy a Transparent XL Digital cable to replace my DIY cable that I currently use, at a much smaller expense. Is a high-end digital cable in some cases able to make it a worthwhile investment in a setup which is not top hi-end? I can afford the Transparent XL digital cable, but not necessarily any upgrade to the electronics I own. Has anybody experienced an improvement with an expensive cable even if the rest of the system would rather call for a less expensive one? When I wrote to Transparent about it, they said I should get advice from my dealer. Cable naysayers please do not comment. Also I'm not looking for cheaper alternatives to the Transparent XL. Just fancying buying a cable that many people say is an excellent cable. Of course, I do not expect the same improvement with this cable as with a full DCS Vivaldi setup, but am I likely to get an improvement, considering that the system is balanced and nothing really bothers me in it? Or should I absolutely get a cheaper cable because the more expensive one is bound to make things worse?
Showing 7 responses by ghdprentice
Certainly a very good power cord may improve an inexpensive amp. But, it is unlikely to have the impact because the noise floor of the components is likely to be much higher than a high end component… basically covering up the improvement… same logic with dynamics… etc.
The answer is easy to determine. Actually compare a dozen different power cords on an high end system. Include a two meter Audioquest Hurricane and Dragon as well as a Cardas Clear Beyond and High end Nordost and your question changes to… how do they do that? |
@megabyte …”cables will affect higher end systems less than less well made (cheaper) systems”
Yes that sounds logical, but the reality is generally the opposite. The better (higher resolving, more carefully voiced) the more difference cables make. High end equipment is like very high quality scientific instruments, susceptible to more subtle differences. |
Just a reminder that Transparent has many tiers. For me they all share the same characteristics of being very neutral and well, transparent. For me, after hundreds of hours of experimenting with many different brands of mainstream cables, to me these are the best for high end systems (systems that are synergistic and performing at a very high level… so, you want no tonal adjustment… just the sound of the components coming through). So, dedicating cabling as being Transparent of what ever tier is appropriate makes one’s life much easier and will give reliably outstanding results.
As one moves up from midfi to budget high end to high end component Cardas is probably the best choice ( they are warm, warmes in the lowest tier and most transparent at the highest level). For very high quality system Transparent can be the best choice. Then when over $50K per component (my components are not in this category) very careful comparison between Transparent and Nordost should be made… their top level are simply breathtaking. |
Great question. Of course there is no absolute without trying. But here goes.
I actually bought a transparent cable and put it on inexpenive components long ago. It sounded terrible. But that was because I had a very noisy fatiguing solid state system with very revealing speakers. Cardas golden (reference) speaker cables warmed things up and sounded much better. I put the transparent in the closet. Twenty years later I had good quality components and those same Transparent cables sounded fantastic. So, it is a mater of what the sound of your components. Transparent will get the most out of them if good. I use Transparent throughout. Looking at your system my guess is that the Transparent would be a great investment and net you better sound now and in the future.
That’s my guess.
BTW, I have no idea why but speaker cables, interconnects, and power cords of the same manufacturer and level tend to do exactly the same same thing for the system. I find this strange, but it has been true for me all the time |