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Question for cable/wire naysayers.....

For those who state that cables don't make a difference...... are you saying that all cables sound the same?  If not, what are you saying?   I've experimented with many different brands and materials and I can't possibly believe that those naysayers hear no differences.   And if the science says that the cables should sound the same, a simple experiment (listening!!!) should prove otherwise.  Or, are these naysayers not listening for changes in resolution, soundstaging/imaging, coherence.....and so on between cables?  Please elaborate on what you are NOT hearing and feel free to drop names.  What cables have you compared that didn't sound different?   I've just gotta know.  I'm floored every time I see a post or response in which cables are called snake oil or something comparable.  Please enlighten me......Thanks.
lcherepkai

Showing 9 responses by geoffkait

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Whoa! Yikes!! Holy guacamole! That’s the bible for cable naysayers and pseudo skeptics, for sure!

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
The roads in Pleasantville all end at the edge of town. The roads in other towns lead to uh, other towns and even to cities.

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
A lot of the difficulty in obtaining audible differences in cables can be placed right at the door of wire directionality. A cable or interconnect in the wrong direction just won’t sound right. I’m referring to unshielded cables. But even shielded cables would sound better if they were manufactured with wire directionality in mind. Also cable comparisons must be performed slowly. It takes a day or two for the mechanical electrical interface of the cable connector to be reestablished. Ditto the power cord plug.

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
What he said. Besides chasing the silver bullet is a mixed metaphor. I suspect he probably means chasing the dragon. Assuming they ever encountered a dragon, which they probably actually didn’t. 
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
jssmith
willemj
The scientist in me then asks first, have you equalized levels to within 0.2 dB (you need a volt meter for that), and second, did you do the listening double blind? If not, your experiences are just that: impressions rather than facts.

+1

Although double-blind is a pain and I’ve found single-blind (level-matched and without tells) to work just as well for informal tests and be quick and easy. Having been a participant in blind tests myself, I now totally ignore all subjective views, except on speakers by people with proven similar tastes. Thank goodness for those blind tests early in my hobby, otherwise I may have spent a ton of money unnecessarily forever chasing the silver bullet.

>>>>What happens when there’s no noticeable difference between two things? What do you do then? Punt?
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
What?! Oh, my! A nice game of Whack-a-mole! Don’t you believe in wire directionality, willemj? Bad willem, bad! 🔨 It's hammer time!
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
I hate to be the one to bring this up but since all wire is directional one should reverse speaker cables and interconnects to see if better sound can be obtained without further expense. Ditto stock off the shelf fuses. 
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
"Many of you graduating today from Acme Audio Engineering School will go on to big things. The rest of you will go into Pro Audio and work in recording studios." 🙄
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
People take naysayers so seriously. They just want to have some fun. They could care less about cables. 
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