I used to think pricey interconnects were snake oil...

 

newbee

4,587 posts

08-11-2023 at 06:18pm 

……..

BTW I think the value of A/B testing is flawed, not so much in the theory but in the execution, and of little real value. FWIW.

100%. And not just for cables. For components as well. To properly assess the changes you need to have several listening sessions 3-4 days in a row each day with a new component only. Let everything settle including your initial reaction. Then go back to old component or cables. Whatever it is you’re evaluating. 
How I know this? I’ve made plenty of bad rush decisions only to realize days later that what I heard was different but not necessarily better. 

So to @newbee ’s point, A/B testing, blind or not, is bull 💩. 

Summary: Yes a "bad" cable can sound bad, but there is no esoteric magic cable can actually improve the signal transfer. They can filter it which may mask a problem and it sounds better. 
 

That same “filtering” is what can also hold back a component and you will never unleash its full potential.
When you get to a certain level with your system you don’t want masking, veiling or coloration anywhere in the chain. You want your components to shine. Unfortunately, I have not yet come across a giant killer in cables (or components for that matter). If anyone can tell me what sounds as good as the Nordost Tyr 2 interconnects and Audience AU24SX speaker cables for the price of BlueJeans or Mogami, I will forever be grateful.