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The Science of Cables

It seems to me that there is too little scientific, objective evidence for why cables sound the way they do. When I see discussions on cables, physical attributes are discussed; things like shielding, gauge, material, geometry, etc. and rarely are things like resistance, impedance, inductance, capacitance, etc. Why is this? Why aren’t cables discussed in terms of physical measurements very often?

Seems to me like that would increase the customer base. I know several “objectivist” that won’t accept any of your claims unless you have measurements and blind tests. If there were measurements that correlated to what you hear, I think more people would be interested in cables. 

I know cables are often system dependent but there are still many generalizations that can be made.
mkgus

Showing 9 responses by nonoise

nonoise's avatar
nonoise
11,088 posts
 
You're going to catch some flak for that. 😄

But, I agree that basic measurements are one thing, and just that. Something like an Em diagram would be a much needed step in the right direction. 

People tend to forget that the data, or graph, is not the music. It's a crude representation of the event. A guideline, for sure, but it can always be massaged.

All the best,
Nonoise
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
11,088 posts
 
@taras22 ,

There was a time that I would've agreed with you but as I've gotten older, I find myself preferring good old fashioned Kroeger's Frosted Shredded Wheat. That, and crullers with white icing. Even white chocolate. Can't explain it. 🤔

All the best,
Nonoise
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
11,088 posts
 
Breakfast of Champions!
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
11,088 posts
 
When aftermarket cable makers measure, that's not good enough, huh? David Salz at WireWorld, Grant at Shunyata... No good, eh? When Mogami measures, that's good enough.

Hyprocrites. Imo, you're cheapskates. Your wallet rules your decisions. You don't compare because you can't stomach the idea of spending anything on it. Defense of Pro cables is to guard your money. You love them because their cheap, and you bought the marketing. LOTUS POSITION, EVERYONE! Do you guys sit with your legs crossed to get the most out of your Mogami cables?  ;)

Chintzy. That's closer to the truth.

"Fools", said I, "You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words, like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells of silence

All the best,
Nonoise
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
11,088 posts
 
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: this "debate" about cables is not about cables. There’s some underlying tenet of a conservative nature that predisposes some to belly-up-to-the-bar.

The joking mention of religious fervor reminded me of it. Factor in the tribal nature that dominates all manner of discussion nowadays and one need not look any further than it being the impetus, the driving factor, behind a lot of these discussions we’re having and the elevated level of emotion that accompanies.

This is not as serious as some make it out to be.

All the best,
Nonoise
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
11,088 posts
 
@douglas_schroeder 
Thanks for pointing out the projection that has been going on since, forever. 


nonoise's avatar
nonoise
11,088 posts
 
@taras22 

Thanks for the hearty belly laugh. 😂

All the best,
Nonoise
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
11,088 posts
 
All of this back and forth reminds me of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is2V3jm_Dxc&frags=pl%2Cwn
.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
11,088 posts
 
For all the objectivists who wail "all we need to know is L, C and R", I’ve yet to hear what those values are in any given system. There is no one size fits all solution.

All the best,
Nonoise
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