My experience with cables, or equipment cahnges for that matter, is that my conscience must be clear with my choice. I have made changes in the past because of rave reviews or posts on this site regarding the certain component's "terrific-ness". In 100% of the times, I ended up moving away from it down the road. The equipment that has stayed in my sytstem are those who I have A/B compared with the mating components in my rig and in my room. Sure, I come here to ask questions and get a certain direction, but in the end, my conscience needs to be clear with the choice.
One other thing I believe is invaluable is to create a relationship with experienced members here or better yet, establish a relationship with someone in the business. I have found direction from several trusted friends to really cut through the jungle of decisions and choices out there.
My philosophy for equipment/cable changes is something like this:
1. Search the archives here for past discussions on the topic for experience.
2. E-mail members here about specifics of the direction you are considering and request feedback (I have been fortunate to find many helpful members willing to answer my questions).
3. Seek help from a trusted contact familiar with your equipment. It could be a manufacturer or retailer familiar with your amps or speakers or front end.
4. If still unsure, post a question here that is articulate and informative and succinct.
5. Choose a direction to take by narrowing down your choices from those gained.
6. As other's have advised, use either the Cable Co. or buy used here and try out in your rig in your room and determine what works for you. Those choices that did not work re-sell for a minor loss. I recently changed my amps from tube to SS because I thought it sounded better. I ended up selling the SS amps after several months because I found out I really missed tubes in my system. It cost me a little over $100, but I'm OK with that because there would be no other way to really be sure.
7. Once a decision is made you will know it was the right one based on your investigation and listening trials.
I have found this to be what works best for me. I have actually done A/B comparisons and decided to make a change, only to sell that piece and go back to what I had prior because it took me 3-4 months before I realized I missed that component.
Give this a try and see if it helps you out.
One other thing I believe is invaluable is to create a relationship with experienced members here or better yet, establish a relationship with someone in the business. I have found direction from several trusted friends to really cut through the jungle of decisions and choices out there.
My philosophy for equipment/cable changes is something like this:
1. Search the archives here for past discussions on the topic for experience.
2. E-mail members here about specifics of the direction you are considering and request feedback (I have been fortunate to find many helpful members willing to answer my questions).
3. Seek help from a trusted contact familiar with your equipment. It could be a manufacturer or retailer familiar with your amps or speakers or front end.
4. If still unsure, post a question here that is articulate and informative and succinct.
5. Choose a direction to take by narrowing down your choices from those gained.
6. As other's have advised, use either the Cable Co. or buy used here and try out in your rig in your room and determine what works for you. Those choices that did not work re-sell for a minor loss. I recently changed my amps from tube to SS because I thought it sounded better. I ended up selling the SS amps after several months because I found out I really missed tubes in my system. It cost me a little over $100, but I'm OK with that because there would be no other way to really be sure.
7. Once a decision is made you will know it was the right one based on your investigation and listening trials.
I have found this to be what works best for me. I have actually done A/B comparisons and decided to make a change, only to sell that piece and go back to what I had prior because it took me 3-4 months before I realized I missed that component.
Give this a try and see if it helps you out.