HiFi Podcast takes on Cables, audibility, and null testers


This topic has generated a lot of debate for a while. There are threads here and elsewhere on the topic, even recently.

So, what's possibly of interest is that the podcast with Darren Myers and Duncan Hunter (PS Audio and The Music Room) has been weighing in. One very recent podcast with them spent more time on this topic than I'd heard them do before (though I've not heard all the episodes).

They both have a lot of experience in both listening and in the technical aspects of audio design. They make a number of interesting arguments as to why the "null test" is insufficient and also describe various scenarios where they've heard differences. They don't claim that every difference is large, and they don't claim they've always heard a difference, but they are clearly attempting to lay waste to the argument that cables don't matter, even when they measure the same.

No dog in this fight, just keeping an eye on those making interesting arguments. Curious what people think of their arguments.

HERE: https://www.thehifipodcast.net/episodes/episode-46-ground-loops-devils-moan


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Null testing is done in the field when the cable in question is "ONE of a KIND". OR a 6 week wait for one to be made and there is a production clause, LIKE "liquidated damages" for non performance. In other words the guy with the broken machine is actually PAYING for being down and not working. 

Vegas has a lot of that type of crap going on and contractors sign on the dotted lines like the FOOLS they are..

That is what null testing is for.. TOUGH difficult cabling that CAN'T be pulled out and repaired. Normally those very special cables are 100k plus and have several spare wires in the loom. As repairmen we would swap wires and move on, NEVER having to null test until the next time an issue comes up.. It told us one thing.. the cable was cut or smeared into another wire.

It's a trouble shooting tool more than anything in cabling, it will tell NOTHING of the cables voiced character ONLY if it literally has a leak, for a lack of a better term..

A mighty fancy tool for stereo cowboys and cable checking.. Crack me up.. Like anything in a stereo system deserves a null test.. Expensive yes, complicated NO...

They do have a valid point. a much different approach than the naysayer crowd like Nathen Winters and his trusty sidekicks comparing cables.. 
Broken record.. Oh Oh he will say that is inferior too, vinyl and RtR.. 

Thanks OP, folks are finally showing the "NO IT DOSN'T WORK" crowd they are just full of it and I don't mean useful information..

Regards