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Do Costly XLR Cables Make A Difference?

Serious question here. I currently own a rather good XLR cable that goes between the amp and DAC. I’m considering a better XLR cable to improve things, basically all the good aspects of sound reproduction such as deeper and more defined bass, better separation and detail across the frequency spectrum and an airier and more 3-dimensional sound in the midrange and treble. Will a different XLR cable supposedly one that’s costlier bring me to that direction?

My current XLR cable costs about $2k actual price paid.

I’m looking at an alternative pair up to about $2k perhaps $3k tops if it is proven that the cable is able to bring a noticeable or worthwhile if not significant difference. I am actually looking at the Wireworld Silver Eclipse 8 and Gold Eclipse 8 XLR.

Any experience would be appreciated. 

 

ryder

Showing 1 response by akg_ca

akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,167 posts
 

In brief; it depends entirely on the build and performance,,( and intuitively a matched price point …) of your bespoke system as a whole. Synergy of the WHOLE system matters.

In detail: it depends on whether you have the top-tier strata high-end electronics with the requisite resolution, slam, and dynamics, actually worthy of the new high-end cables performance capabilities to do their thing.

Plunking in a high-end cable in a budget or a middlin’ strata equipment system is a recipe for disappointment and a predictable poor choice. The analogy would be say …putting on high-end MICHELIN PILOT SUPER SPORT high-performance tires worthy of a JAG or VETTE on your Honda Civic….…they just won’t work to improve your ride as hoped for ,…full stop.

My experience: When I upgraded my system to a 5-figure digital source and stablemate 5-figure integrated amp… then presto …. Yes …. upgrading from $250 supplied cables to NORDOST FREY XLRs first , and then ultimately further uogrsde to CARDAS CLEAR XLRs was a sequential step and immediate audio performance improvement that was not subtle.

In addition to the now added audio performance resolution, slam, and dynamics full capabilities revealed in the electronics, the occasional annoying sibilants and any digital “edge” was removed.

NOTE: they are NOT tone controls to introduce any kind of new coloration slant to the audio performance.The CARDAS CLEARs are a neutral keeper for me.

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