"OP can you pass a honest A and B test?" Did you read the op? Is this not exactly
what he did?
Yes, cables do make a difference -- regardless of price...
I thought you may find this interesting…or not. I know, another "cable post". Disclaimer up front — I am a believer that cables can make a difference in the sound that you hear from your system. With my speakers, like most high(er) efficiency speakers, I can hear large and small changes made to the system components — and cables are part of that system.
What I want to share is an exercise that I went through with my better half in setting up her recording equipment that she will be using to record audio books. The hardware part of the system is simple: Audio Technica Cardioid Condenser Microphone AT2035 connected with a XLR cable to the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 preamp.
We started with the XLR cable that came with the microphone and recorded the short introduction of the book she has been contracted to record. Then she recorded the same section using each of the our XLR cables I have on hand: Vovox Excelsus, Mogami 2549, Gotham GAC-3, and Grimm TPR. Each of the cables have the same Neutrik connector and are very good studio cables that I have used in my system at one time.
Listening through headphones via the Scarlett 2i2, it was super easy to hear distinct differences in these cables. The differences were not small and very apparent. In the end, the Mogami cable was the winner — it seemed more open and warmer than the other cables and suited the tone of her voice the best. I have heard similar differences from these cables in my stereo system but not to the significant degree borne out by this exercise.
To keep going, today I replaced the $10 USB C to C cable that I bought as an “upgrade” from the Scarlett 2i2 to a MacBook Air with a $70 Audioquest Forest cable. We were more than surprised that with the AQ cable in the system the drop of the noise floor was very significant and the blackness of background made the sound even more crystal clear.
The purpose of this post is not to promote or compares cables, just a public service posting for those of you who do not believe cables make a difference. They really do affect how your system sounds (positive or negative) and if you cannot hear a difference then maybe looking at the transparency of your system is a place you should examine.
Imagine peace everyone.
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My audio system has been elevated to an extraordinary level of performance, thanks to the integration of Sound Lab A645 panels, Atma-Sphere amplification (MA-1 & MP-1), and an Abbas DAC. The transformation was significantly propelled forward by the introduction of bespoke cables and a power regulation device crafted by Mr. Hai, a Parisian innovator who designs these components exclusively for friends and family. Given his background as an engineer with France's leading telecommunications company, it's only a matter of time before Mr. Hai becomes a household name among discerning audiophiles. The clarity and detail my system now reveals are nothing short of astonishing. Mr. Hai's cables utilize a type of wire typically reserved for aerospace applications, which is difficult to procure. After rigorous testing, we determined that ETI connectors deliver the most authentic sound. Remarkably, each wire within the cable is air-insulated, enhancing its performance. The power regulation device incorporates a novel, patent-pending design that has significantly purified the power supply to my system. Through extensive experimentation and fine-tuning with Mr. Hai, we identified the optimal cable configuration, leading to a profound enhancement in sound quality. The impact on my system was so dramatic that I remain in awe. The Sound Lab panels, in particular, now produce a bass response so deep and powerful that it physically resonates through the room, surpassing the manufacturer's specifications by reaching frequencies below 28Hz. The realism of thunder through these speakers is startling, and the reproduction of piano reverberation is indistinguishable from a live performance. Atma-Sphere's electronics, known for their precision, naturalness, and dynamism, are now fully realized when paired with these ESL panels and Mr. Hai's cables. This experience has fundamentally changed my perspective on the critical role of cables in a high-fidelity audio system. Through our collaborative efforts, we've distilled several key insights: 1. Consistency in cable technology throughout the system is crucial. Don’t mix different cables & technologies! 2. Power regulation is paramount, arguably more so than any other system optimization. 3. The intrinsic design of a cable, rather than its shielding, is the most critical factor for sound quality. 4. The quality of connectors cannot be overstated; ETI connectors have proven to be superior to any other we tested. 5. The most expensive cable is not necessarily the best choice for your system. 6. XLR design significantly outperform unbalanced 7. Silver-plated copper cables offer superior sound quality compared to pure silver cables. These insights are invaluable for any DIY enthusiast looking to elevate their audio system. The journey with Mr. Hai has not only transformed my system but also deepened my understanding and appreciation of the intricate relationship between components, cables, and power in crafting an unparalleled listening experience.
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I too am a firm believer in cables. I have a very revealing system to begin with and for me it’s easy to hear good and bad or improvements within my system. First off I had for many years all Shunyata Sigma HC and Digital PCs for my sources and King Cobras for my 2 mono amps. First swap was the Shunyata Sigma digital for my cdp to the Audio Quest Dragon Source pc to my CDP. What a very huge difference. Especially the all black background. Totally changed the sound for the better. I really was amazed by the quality of the music. And Shunyata ain’t no slouch when it comes to quality cables. Next was the preamp AQ Dragon source And then my mono blocks to all AQ HC Dragons. All with great dramatic improvements in MY system. I do believe if your system ain’t up to par or don’t have a revealing system u will not notice a difference. |
@jtcf 😂😌😉👍🏻 |
This and a properly setup system is needed to identity small changes in sound signature. Simply slapping tons of equipment in a spot and then saying you cannot hear slight differences (good or bad), is pure foolish. Such people should learn to appreciate the efforts and pain audiophiles take to setup their system. |
@lordrootman It seems he did "pass" a test in the first post.He neglected to check with you first if it would be acceptable to your standards:-) |
The right cables and cords designed with SQ in your wheelhouse and matched to your system can be transformative. Read reviews but most important audition and burn in before final judgement. Let your ears decide which brand is best. I am sure you find as I did cables and cords are as important as any other piece of kit. |
@soix funny story man! As it happens, somewhere around mid 2000s I had my B&W N803 hanging off a set of Satori sp cables. I had an opportunity to try Audience AU24 (the original). I really liked them but compared to Satori they were slightly more reserved especially in area of dynamics and bass. So I didn’t get them. But I do remember liking them a lot. Fast forward to now…I have a set of AU24SX feeding my speakers 😂 And yes, I was a cable skeptic as well. But once my system reached a certain level, the differences in cables became apparent. I remember trying out a VH Audio Flavor 4 or something like that. And it was the first time I heard a difference with a power cord |
I also hear differences in cables, and I only have one instance where try as I might I could discern no difference between two cables. Specifically it was between the Acoustic Zen Satori and the Audience AU24 speaker cables, and this was the only time over many years of swapping cables, interconnects, etc. that this happened. Now, if I was able to hear and accept when there was no difference between two cables, does it sound reasonable that in all the other cases where I actually heard differences that I was just kidding myself and making it up? Like @audphile1 says, “you can’t change their minds” and I pretty much agree but hope my experience may resonate with someone somewhere. This thread is pure catnip for the flat earthers. Wait for it… |
I got involved in an argument on another site with an electrical engineer claiming that, as long as the cable is of a sufficient gauge, there can be no difference. He was, undoubtedly, referring to the ampacity of the wire which doesn't take into consideration the effect on an audio signal. I used the example of electric guitar pickups to illustrate the kinds of differences one might expect. Early pickup bobbins were hand-wound (AKA scatter-wound) in a random manner which caused a very unique, desirable type of distortion that could not be duplicated with the more uniform machine winding. Likewise, in audio cables, there are different methods to wind wire which affect the reproduction of various frequencies and, hopefully, minimize distortions throughout the audible bands. I don't think I convinced him but the truth remains that changing audio cables does change the sound. Whether it's better or worse is up to your ears. |
audphile1: Long ago, I was one of those that didn't believe that cables made any difference and used to buy whatever was cheapest, until one day I decided and was able to afford high end cables, so I decided to swap all of my cables. Long story short, they made a believer out of me, and I will never go back to cheap cables although I must admit that I have yet to hear a difference with power cords in my numerous systems and they are very revealing. The original power cords sound the same to me. |
Saying that cables don’t make a difference is naive. Many cables are definitely overpriced, and one needs to know what to look to get the most performance from their investment, but everything, down to the solder used in any component definitely makes a difference. Sometimes the difference is more audible than others, but it is there whether in audibility, longevity or both! |
