I think it’s hard to throw 10 strangers in a room and try cables on a system they are not familiar with. I understand the folks stating show me the science, I also understand some hold their ground so tight they are not even remotely open to the idea.
I made another thread about some decade old Kimber 1126 cables I paid a fortune for a decade ago. Over the years new mono amps and things and they just wouldn’t reach. I boxed them up and to be honest I never really thought about them much anymore. Well as I said I moved my amps again. Into a rack/cabinet and those cables now reach. I’ve really been working my system and figured wow, I can use these cables now. This should really take it a little further. As I stated in the other thread it was awful, congested, over warmish. In that thread I was told I should let them run in again as new. It’s been a decade. They got a little better but I just don’t care for the system synergy. I do think that is a real thing.
I’m trying an Audioquest Water but I can tell the warmish sound is gone. I’m going to let it go for a while longer but I honestly feel the Kimber, no matter what the hell they cost, and how stupid I might of been for spending that amount back then, that these cables are not a match in my system. And I don’t think they are going to stay. So no case of it cost more, it’s better. It’s a case that I really know most aspects of my system. Better than anybody. Better than 9 others stepping in my room for a blind test.
Somebody said in another forum if you took all these things that might just be adding just the slightest improvement, enough to matter but maybe not measurable, and you apply that thought to all the little things the doubters call snake oil, that these slight improvements will all add up to truly make a difference. I sort of agree, it’s the sum of all and maybe not one standalone item. System synergy’s.
I don’t have golden ears but I have a complete understanding of how my system sounds. I know it pretty well. I can’t prove it but I know those Kimber 1126 do not belong in my current system.
Cables may be like fine tuning. I’m not sure 10 blind in a test could really pick these things out without all ten being very familiar with the before test sound. We are not swapping speakers here. We are fine tuning the existing. Those in a cable blind test are looking for some sort of change in sound like a speaker change and that will never happen.
I think it’s kind of rude to say someone’s system may not be at a level to notice but there may be a little substance there. Not all but many higher up the chain pieces have more money in caps focus on the analog section, Greater insulation from the power supply etc. Again, it’s a thing to me. Some of these pieces of gear maybe more on par where tuning maybe noticed.
So I don’t know all but for me I’ve had moments I can really tell something changed by something I did. As with the Kimber 1126 that doesn’t mean more expensive better.
Do what’s right for you and maybe be open minded.