Do you consider cables to be a "component" of your system?
Meaning, do you think that cabling (AC/InterConnects/SpeakerWire) should be considered a component that is integral to your system?
I have probably as much money in cabling and fuses as I do in most of my components (if not more).
Please, please, PLEASE don't tell me that cables don't make a difference. I disagree and there's nothing you can say or do that will change my mind, so save it for another thread, please.
I just wondered if you had to recommend a set up to someone (who wanted a nice stereo), would you consider cabling to be essential in your build price and your recommendations? If so, would you consider the cost of the cables to be on par with the cost of a component?
Showing 2 responses by westcoastaudiophile
@coralkong Absolutely, interconnect cables are playing very important in my system! My preference for signal cables lies on well known for reliability/noise connector brands (professional series Neutrik etc), impedance, flexibility, and cable shielding effectiveness (measured in dB, good cable EM shielding should be >80dB). Established connector manufacturers have better contact quality with higher contact pressure, and use proper plating technology. Power cord has to be a short as possible, and to use proper connectors at the ends. In some cases I use power cords combined with EM filter, and with option to disconnect ground to avoid ground loops. In many cases claims of improvements after replacing cable are real for SQ, but are result of mechanical contact cleaning from oxides and dirt, during plug/unplug procedure. In that case blind test, where parts A-B compared multiple times, does not show reliable results. Cables need to be managed by grouping into power/speaker/signal bunch, to reduce background noise. |