2. cables
  3. 1046807665

Where can I get educated about cables?

I'm still relatively new to this "hobby" compared to most of you it seems, and I'm trying to learn as much as I can. I've finally gotten to the point where I am considering purchasing cables, both for IC's and speakers, but I don't know where to begin.

Here's the deal- I read alot of reviews, talk to dealers, and read threads both here and on AA, and while everyone genuinely seems to want to help, I hear alot of talk about "impedance" and "capacitance", "six-nines', etc, when they talk about various cables. Now, I'm not an electrical engineer (I'm a commercial HVAC tech by trade), but I do know a little basic electronics, and am comfortable with a wiring diagram, so I am familiar with these terms.

Ultimately, I'd like to understand how to choose a cable, and why. I'd like to know how a cables characteristics will affect the sound with my equipment, and I'd like to know what cabling changes to make if I change a different part of my system somewhere down the road. Please don't misunderstand me- I do not believe I will find the perfect combination by simply using a magic formula of some sort. I'm just looking for information on the basics to get me headed in the right direction so I can make an informed decision, and hopefully save myself some grief (and cash) along the way.

Against my better judgement, but as an example, I'll tell you that I have a Sonic Frontiers Line1, a Bryston 4BST, and PSB Gold i's. I borrowed some different IC's from a local dealer, and heard the differences between them. BUT WHY? I wanna know why! Why did cable "XYZ" sound different than cable "ABC"? And what if I changed preamps? Then what? Or my amp? This could get really expensive trying cable after cable after cable, without knowing what to look for or having a frame of reference to start with.

Please, if anyone knows a source of info, a book, a site, or an actual person who can help me, let me know. It would be greatly appreciated.

Lastly, if you have experience with my particular COMPLETE setup, not just the individual pieces, your input would probably benefit me here as well.

Thanks for your time.


subcoolman

Showing 1 response by psychicanimal

psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
"Cables, power conditioning, vibration control, and room teatment (or lack there of) will make or break your system."

Those are very wise words by Tweak1. I strongly adhere to those principles. Work on room treatment first, because it will allow you to hear right--then you will be in a position to make better choices. Then on power conditioning. Clean and stable power will allow your gear to work properly. Vibration will ruin soundstaging and the music's PRAT. You might then try to use very expensive power cords & interconnects to compensate for lack of soundstage and clean power--BIG mistake.

As for the Radio Shack interconnects, their best are a new model and not that cheap. Also, they use ferrite cores for "RFI filtration"--not a good idea. Their cheap ones are really really good for the money and I use them in my video system and for my little sister's system (cooked on a Mobie).
More to discover