"World's Best Cables" vs Audioquest interconnects


I've heard many great things about "World's Best Cables". At such low price, these alleged giant killers are a no brainer, so I ordered two pairs. When the shipment arrived, I connected one pair from my phono stage to my preamp, and another pair from my preamp to my power amp.

These cables replaced my trusty old Audioquest interconnects.

First listening impressions: extremely lean sound. Details etched in space, almost as if a strong laser beam is outlining them.

Santana I, side 1: almost unlistenable. The highs are piercing, the soundstage is flat, the splash cymbals sound like trash cans. Made my head hurt.

Switching back to my Audioquest cables: my god, what a relief! The sound is back to its good old sound of music. Everything sounds natural again.

Now, the "World's Best Cables" come with the users manual that claims that the cables need to be burned in for 175 hours. Should I give them the benefit of the doubt and suffer 175 hours, or is that just an audio myth about cables burn-in?

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crazybookman

Showing 1 response by dave_b

Do all cables sound the same?  Uh no

Do measurements tell the whole story?  Nah

Are most cables a variation on a theme or at worst, new age snake oil?  Most, some more than others

Are there manufacturers who have been around since the beginning of the High End audio cable markets inception?  Why yes there are…specifically MIT and Transparent.  They were music lovers who wanted to improve the way audio signals were propagated from one component to another.  They used science and experimentation to improve signal transfer and increase their enjoyment of reproduced sound.  These cables do sound different, but most of all, they deliver cables that can allow anyones system to sound more realistic, more dynamic and full of life with superior low level detail, a richer more textured midrange and deeper, more well controlled and defined bottom end.

So is wire just wire?  Kinda, unless your using cables that are purposely designed to enhance the transmission of the delicate audio signal you might as well use coat hangers.