HAVE CABLES EVER TAKEN YOUR SYSTEM FROM SOUNDING JUST OK TO SOUNDING GREAT? Experiences ?

@calvinj, my experience was a specific case of reducing the transmission of as much RFI and EMI as possible coming from my Chord Mscaler going into my Chord Hugo TT2 DAC through the use of a design specific interconnect. If you can lower the sonic floor to where it is inky black with dead silence the better one can hear the layering and clarity in the music.

@adasdad funny you metntion that. That’s exactly what Hans does with the infigo cabling as well as the electronics. That’s the basis for everything we do. The more quiet the background the better the music. The better the silence between the notes in my system I can hear everything in a fast Ahmad Jamal piano run.  Sounds amazing.  

@adasdad by reducing the noise floor in the cabling and equipment you have a better listening experience. That’s the premise that we base everything we do on.  My system does that from the dac all the way to the amp and cabling. 

I recently started using UPOCC silver cables from Zenwave. I started with the new D4 ICs and the difference from my prior cables (TPC Iconoclast) was another level. So was the cost. However, there was much more musical resolution, image placement was much more accurate, the soundstage grew, and music simply became more involving. And I did also compare the Zenwaves to the Iconoclast UPOCC copper (I still own one of these) and while the difference was more subtle relative to the TPC cable, the Zenwave still shined in every way. These cables allowed my components to sound like they should to me, in an invigorating and musical manner.

I've also been trying some different power cabling over the last year as well. Audioquest Tornado and Hurricane, Triode Power Labs, and a few others. I have had both the Zenwave PSR silver power cable on my preamp and the copper PCR cable on my Pass amp as a trial for about a month now (I last week placed my order for 3 Zenwave PCs) and again, another level of resolution and musicality. The silver PCs are highly resolving and engaging, while using the copper PCR cable on my amp left the resolution in place, but added a bit more body (the eerie sensation of feeling a solo cello resonate musically is the sort of body I am talking about for instance).

One other interesting thing to me in my system with the new cables. Music that I really enjoy but was not that well recorded became more engaging with the new cables. Of course well recorded music sounded even better than before, but I find myself playing more music that is definitely not well recorded and being drawn in - more foot tapping and finger drumming!

I couldn't be happier with the Zenwave cable upgrade.

Yes. No doubt, sometimes huge.
follow me for more insights.

The dramatic improvement happens only when you change stock power cable of your amp to hi-fi cable, even not expensive. Later, if you hear a huge difference between two hi-fi cables, I think means, that one of them is dummy.

Yes. When I added Iconoclast Series 2 TPC speaker cables, the upgrade was dramatic. My boss called out from 2 rooms away to tell me that whatever I did, the system sounded much better. Later, she even turned the system on herself to sit and listen, which is rare. And the true test: She didn't start by asking "how much did it cost?" After she approved, I nervously asked if she wanted to know the cost. She said "no, it was worth it for that kind of improvement". (!!!)

Another big cable improvement was the Tubulus Concentus v.2 I2S cable btwn. my Jay's transport and PS Audio Stellar Gold DAC. Sublime!   

Yes, but not the ones you sell,

 reducing the noise floor in the cabling and equipment you have a better listening experience.

Agree if that is one's sonic target, it's an expensive endeavor with few with sufficient budgets to cover.  Also great if one can lower ambient noise, like in a dedicated custom treated audio room 

I just swapped out the Zavfino Highlands MK2 silver tonearm cable on my Sota for my Audience AU24 SE and I think the Zavfino may have been holding things back.  The AU24 SE is more "musical", and has more body.  There is a pretty significant price difference between the two, and in this case, for good reason.  

@gordon thanks for your response. 

@big_greg sometimes it’s a system matching issue and synergy. Your system probably needed that cable change.  I see that all  the time. 

@jas_in_phila1 different systems need different things. Glad you found something you like. 

My experience remains that cables do not totally transform a system (i.e., from bad to great) but, at least in my recent experience, they can certainly add that final touch that changes the sound from "something's still missing" to "nailed it!"  

I have been comparing eight different sets of interconnects in a system that requires two pairs at 2M and one pair at 0.5M, all balanced - XLR. 

I have zeroed in on a set of Belden tinned copper cables, a set of Gotham copper cables, or a set of Cardas Golden Reference ICs. 

The Gotham cables are quite sweet sounding, the Belden cables are also sweet sounding and have a hard-to-resist richness and musicality, and the Cardas GR cables have great tone, depth, and punch, while sounding just a bit more rounded/smooth than the others.  I was surprised my reference Furutech u-P2.1 cables don't seem to be making the final cut, and I am also surprised to be finding it hard to put away the Belden 8402 tinned copper cables.

@mitch2 great points.  It also depends how much a match they are to your system. I have had some of my customers at Infigo Audio tell me about a substantial jump in the level of their system after they tried our stuff. But sometimes it’s a matching thing. 

@mitch2 great points.  It also depends how much a match they are to your system. I have had some of my customers at Infigo Audio tell me about a substantial jump in the level of their system after they tried our stuff. But sometimes it’s a matching thing. 

Original posting question: 

Yes, cables were my last frontier. In short I was not a big believer in power cables but am now. Synergistic Research are predominant in my system now on the power side.

My system page lists all the cables I have tried in the last 3 years and I took it seriously to punctuate what my system was capable of. There were many setbacks and sideways moves. No full loom for me. I ended up after plenty of permutations on what I believe is 90% or better unless I spent much more farther up the brand levels.

I read a huge amount of reviews including by members here and sought mostly used cables recommended by you folks. Had many eye opening moments but once I got the taste of what was possible I kept going and am very happy.

Ready for sharing my system with others now.

No. And goodness knows I’ve tried a lot of ‘em.  10% improvement in some areas in the best case scenarios. If that. And ROI? Minimal. If that.

@bugredmachine Read for a few years before even posting and based many of my trials on recommendations found here (and then was able to source a lot on Agon).  

@calvinj  Excellent cables added for sure but nothing beats a great (treated or untreated) room. Many like drinking and touting their own Koolaid and that’s just the way it is.  

It also depends on what your going to and where you going from 

A step up in sound quality each time I pull out the credit card to buy a new cable.

BUT! …. I don’t buy new cables unless I’ve heard them in my system, and they had time to break in, and I clearly hear a difference going back and forth with my current cables.

Always use favorite heard many times music tracks and listen for more details and a relaxing (non ear fatigue) presentation

Cables are not a "belief"... their functions are supported by electrical principals and physics. This must be one of the top arguments of all time, but if we throw out the extreme stupidity involved with using "lamp cord" at the low end and then cables that cost thousands at the high end, we enter a realm of reality of where there are clear benefits given by the best conductors, shielding, terminations, solder, soldering process, etc. Will any of this make an audible difference, probably not in most cases. Is there a difference??? Yes, it is there, and I think of it this way, if I use the best possible gear that I can afford, I'm pretty sure that is a component I really do not need to worry about in my system. People will argue this to the death.

@dean_palmer 

Are you really the Devil?

We are told our gear and cable make good antennas for RFI: cellular towers, home wi-fi, home security cameras, digital TV, two-way radios, police radios,  powerful airport transponders--all make up the "fog" that occupies and clouds your music-signal pathways.  Good cables provide better shielding.  Better copper, such as OCC, has fewer grain boundaries and inclusions that distort the signal.  Believe what you want because you are told so, but there is no knowledge in this area without first-hand  experience.  

@roxy54

I'm certain the devil is much more fun than me ;-) 

Once the ganfet amps came in the door cabling in general became much more of an audible factor for me.

@jafreeman thats why at Infigo we allow people to try before you buy most of the time. It’s exactly why I started the demo program. I feel like a purchase like this you ought to be able to try it out most of the time.  Your system.  Your environment. Makes sense to me. 

I just added a second turntable. Since the new premium turntable cable was back ordered I used a cheapo just to get it running. I have to say when the new one came in and installed, the difference was incredible. I wasn’t expecting such a discernible difference. If you can afford it, I would definitely recommend considering a cable upgrade to your shopping list. TD124/SME M9R, VPI Classic HW/10” Fatboy

I noticed a very nice improvement when I went to using Cerious Technologies Graphene Lumniscate speaker cables. The music details were clear and had a bigger soundstage. I also noticed a nice improvement in sound when I went with a full lume of Veritas XLR cables in my system. Cables do make a difference, but everyone has their preferences and it’s system dependent.

Simple answer, no.

Yes I’ve heard differences and sometimes improvements but nothing earth shattering.

The biggest difference I've heard was with the addition of Silversmith Fidelium speaker cables.

@OP:  @calvinj

Mr. Calvin Johnson, did you initially disclose, prior to starting this (and your other) threads, that you peddle a line of cables? If not, do you not think that full-disclosure is essential to establish your credibility, and avoiding even the slightest appearance of less than ethical behavior?

@ps yes I did disclose. Those that know me follow my threads.  A lot of folks have met me in person and some I’ve known for years on Audiogon.  If you don’t like my threads or posts you can ignore them. I initially was not affiliated with any brand.  I am now with Infigo  but I’m still an audiophile and I like to know what others in the hobby think and feel. I’m not worried about crediblity etc.  it only became an issue with you because I told you I could ask and start forums in CAPS if I choose to. Once again if this thread bothers you don’t have to post here.  I was not affiliated with any brands my first 15 years posting and now the last 5 I am.  I run a successful non audio related for the 23 years. I do a little audio related stuff on the side.  Those that care to meet me in person can at the SWAF in Dallas or AXPONA in Chicago. Take care buddy. Now let’s stay on message about the thread not me. Happy listening.  

@dean_palmer thats the best answer I’ve heard in a long time.  When you take all those principles into account. Do your research. Do a lot of trial and error and employ actual scientific principles you can create something that allows the most free flowing uninterrupted pathway and signal from your electronics to your speakers. 

Another recent experience that maybe just took my system sound from pretty good to considerably better was adding Anticables Level 7.3 RCA interconnects between my DAC and amp.  I have used a lot of different RCA cables in this application and this one improved a lot of things related to soundstage, reducing sibilants on hot recordings, and better defined and textured bass.  I can play my system at higher volumes with less fatigue, and a lot of “Wow” moments.  This product is really additive on other cable improvements upstream, and not sure it would be as profound without those happening first, but a big positive improvement nevertheless.

I have been reading and hearing about Anticables for years, but never tried them.  At least their top of the line interconnects are excellent and reasonably priced for the performance level.  So good in fact I am considering a set for my analog front end.  I think the KLE connectors have a lot to do with the performance.

kn

"have you ever made a cable change that opened up your system to new heights.” 

switching phono cable to balanced Phasemation CC-1200R was pretty big improvements, for MM and MC carts. 

as speaker cable in my 15ft long cable setup, Kimber Kable 12TC is the best! 

I won't put too much into this Thread, because what I am to suggest is able to found in quite a few other Posts from myself within this Forum.

The use of PC Triple C Wire as the Signal Wire in a Cable has been for myself Transformative in relation to how they have allowed the well established System to Present at its best.

Others who have adopted my usage of PC Triple C as a result of my introduction have been even further investigative, without going too in to it, one change introduced has been to use Low Eddy RCA Connectors on a Cable Termination and on the Chassis. 

Low Eddy has changed my outlook on how a Cable can work, there is a very very Good Cable with a Termination from the Cable Producer or a Swap Out to a Low Mass Connector. A Low Eddy Connection used on a Cable as above will produce a Cable never wanted to be changed back to what was before, extend the Low Eddy  connection to the Chassis and it is difficult to understand what is occurring, especially with PC Triple C Wire as the Signal Wire. 

@cbrez tha is for sharing your experiences. I fully disclose my industry affiliation to everyone I talk to I work with Infigo cables and I literally ended up doing so because of years of trying over 50 brands of cables and I was the ear for the Infigo Audio cabling. We have a lot of cable deniers. I’m glad you shared your experiences. I chose to approach selling cabling different from everyone else by allowing free trials of our interconnect and usb cabling. I’m glad you found something that works. But we give free demos and if you ever wanna try pm me. 

@westcoastaudiophile see post of you are welcome to this as well 

@knownothing @pindac if you ever wanna try IC’s , usb cables or speaker cables pm and I will allow you to demo our Infigo cables free of charge you only pay shipping back. 

@knownothing you welcome to a free trial of our cables.  I want feedback to how you think they sound in your system @sealegs the offer is open to you as well

@calvinj This is not a Product Plug, but on both RCA Phono and XLR the WBT and Eizz Connectors are very well made and each type does demand a respectable asking price when purchasing as a separate connector. 

@pindac i never said it was. No harm no foul. Take care. 

Fairly recently bought a bi-wire 4’ pair Analysis Plus Big Silver Oval 9 to run to my Usher Mini Diamond 2s from a pair of Merrill Audio Veritas monos. It was a significant difference in drive, control and headroom. 

A Grover Huffman PC I put on my then EAR 834P was a big step up in dimensionality.

Going bi-wire on 3 different models of Usher speakers throughout the years, made a significant difference. The music just bloomed.

There are many good cables now for less than 1k or $500 for ic. Cables can really make a difference if you can find the right match to your system. Usedcable.com has a lot to audition, with different level and prices.

This are the following cables brand on their lower level that are good, Telllurium cables, Nordost, Audioquest , Kimber, Eva, I have not heard Zavfino and Veritas cables but they are getting review on this site.

 CABLE ~ Experiences ? 

Hearing is believing! Power cords’ sound comparison. This is change of only one PC.  Alex/Wavetouch

13:27 Wavetouch v2 PC ($250)  vs.  4:08 JPS digital PC ($700).

Wouldn’t say “just ok to great” but have been happily reacquainting with Cardas cables:

• Clear Reflection from DAC to pre
• Golden Reference from pre to amps
• Golden Cross from amps to speakers

DNM Reson ICs clearly made things more coherent which to me was better.  

I’ve never had a cable take my system from just OK to great. That kind of leap has always come from upgrading core components like better speakers, cleaner power, or proper room treatment. Cables can fine-tune things, maybe tighten the bass a bit or smooth out the highs, but if a system sounds just OK to begin with, no cable is going to work miracles.

I’ve tried some high-end cables out of curiosity. They weren’t total snake oil, but the differences were subtle at best. More like chasing the last one percent than making a real transformation. In my experience, good cables matter once everything else is already dialed in, but they don’t turn a mediocre system into something amazing.

That said, if someone’s had a true wow moment from a cable swap, I’d be interested to hear about it. Just hasn’t happened for me.

I’ve had some good cables recently take things up a notch but it wasn’t until I changed connectors that I was pretty wowed. ETI Research banana, spade, and now rca plugs have all allowed more information to come through and taken out some gritty or grungy sound that was there before from cheap connectors but also some decent ones from Furutech. Highly recommended.