2. cables
  3. 186342-457

WHY CABLES MATTER!

I have seen the argument over and over again on why cables matter and the that wire is just wire and how scientifically it’s impossible for them to make a difference. The thing that surprises me the most is that different materials are used. Different shielding is used. Different connectors are used. Different braiding methods of the cables are used. Materials are sourced from different manufacturers and put through different creative processes but I always get some guy who comes on and says. WIRE IS WIRE AND YOU ARE NOT HEARING WHAT YOU ARE HEARING? To me it’s pure arrogance to think you know more than everybody else to the point where you tell me what we are hearing through my ears and we are not smart enough to know when are minds are playing trick on us. But using all these different materials, process and shielding and creative processes don’t make a difference. I spent the last 15 years trying all the cables I could try.  Thoughts anyone?

calvinj

Showing 1 response by lloyd1969

lloyd1969
33 posts
 

My 2 cents from recent upgrades. 
 

Changed speaker cable from Analysis Plus Chocolate Oval to a double strand of their Black Mesh Oval 9 gauge. Big difference. I had long runs and some of the effect may be due to Bowie if more than cable choice, but a worthwhile upgrade.

I already had XLR balanced SR Foundation IC between amp and preamp, but as prior Streamer/DAC had only single post out, was using SR Foundation RCA IC between streamer and pre, and kept it that way when I got my current Gustard X26 Pro DAC. I finally got a SR Foundation SX balanced cable, and SQ definitely improved a bit - noticeably, not a lot, but enough that it was worthwhile IMO.

When I got the new DAC, I auditioned 6 different cables, and was surprised to hear that they all sounded different, and sadly the Shunyata Alpha sounded best with my gear (fortunately found one used on EBAY). Again when I had my Innnuos Phoenix USB reclocker between my streamer and DAC, I thought I would probably could get away with a cheaper cable fro

 streamer

to reclocker, and auditioned half a dozen cables again. Again they sounded different, and from what I heard, it still made sense interms if SQ to get another Shunyata Alpha. All my other cabling and power cords are SR, so to the extent I had bias, I would have expected to have heard the SR USB cable sounding better, but still heard the Shunyata as better.

 

Stereo System 2024

Amp: Bryston 4B3 300 w x 2

Pre:   Parasound Halo P6

Speakers: Tannoy Cheviots, Analysis Plus Black Mesh Oval 9 gauge biwired cables (21’ run)

Digital Streamer/Source: Heavily modified BlueSound NODE 130 (added Fidelity Audio clock board & LPSU)/ Innuos Phoenix USB/ Gustard X26 Pro DAC (connected by Shunyata Alpha USB cables.

All other interconnects: Synergistics Research Foundation or better

Power: Power conditioner: Synergistics Research Powercell 10 SE Mk 3 w SR Atmosphere level 3 cord; All power cords SR Foundation

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