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how to best a/b cables

Ok, I admit it: I have serious doubts about the claims of those who believe in cables. But I am willing to take their challenge - let my ears decide. So I went to a local dealer (who is probably reading this thread - Hi!!) and got some Transparent speaker cables and interconnects to audition. My setup: Linn LP12 turntable, Linn Linto phono stage, Linn Ikemi CDP, Plinius 8200 integrated, B&W N804 speakers and 10 year old Audioquest cables & inters (I believe they are the "Ruby" models.)

My question: my Linn Linto has dual outputs. Can I connect my old cables into one output and the Transparents into the other and then run them into two different inputs in the line stage pre and thereby get a good way to a/b the cables? My dealer says it is not a good way to get an a/b comparison because the two sets of cables will affect eachother and it will muddy the water. Does this make sense? If I hook one into the tape1 input and the other into the tape2 input and if I'm switched to tape1, then tape2 is an open circuit and should be completely inert and vice versa. Any comments?

PLEASE!!! I DO NOT WANT THIS TO BE ANOTHER DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER CABLE QUALITY AFFECTS SOUND QUALITY!!! JUST HELP THIS LOST SOUL TO FIND THE TRUTH!
gboren

Showing 2 responses by detlof

detlof
1,899 posts
 
I think your dealer is right. I cannot give you the technical reasons for it, because I'm not trained that way, but my experience and the rules for this sort of experiment point in the direction, that the candidates or devices under test should meet exactly identical conditions. In your case this would mean swapping cables and plugging them into identical in- and outputs.
detlof
1,899 posts
 
Generally I can hear differences in equipment in the first split second of being exposed to the sound and Bomarc is right, the ear adapts to the new sound very quickly and the brain soon regards it as normal. It therefore makes good sense to pick out certain passages of recordings one knows well and concentrate on how different DUTs will play them. Only then, I find, you will get a grasp on what the differences really are. These differences, when heard on these distinctive passages of music are then far easier to memorise, especially if you have found a language for yourself to describe them. After that, at least to me, it makes sense to listen to the devices under test for longer stretches, making notes all along, to base your judgement on as many parameters as possible.
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