2. cables
  3. 142277-24

I’m pretty sure I’ve lost my mind...

I brought some Analysis Crystal oval 8 speaker cables home and I can’t justify spending that much $ on cables, yet I can’t take them out of my system...

My setup is pretty modest, Audio Quest Red Dragonfly DAC (Tidal), McCormack Micro Line Drive, B&K reference 4420, Kef LS50, Rel T9i...

I’m having a huge dilemma here because these cables make everything sound so natural, real, detailed yet less bright and less sibilance, great imaging, bass, and timing.  The music fits together better.  

I’m comparing them to Signal Cable Silver Resolution, which wonout over some $1100 Tara Labs, and some $900 Clear Day Cables (which did sound better by the way, I just couldn’t justify the price difference for the sq difference), BUT, dang these Analysis Cables....

I think if I got this upgrade in SQ on any component for close to this $ I’d go for it but I’m having a hard time spending this $ on speaker cables because, well they’re just cables.

And now its in the back of my mind how inferior my beloved signal cables are and how they’ll make any component from here on out be short changed.

Please, someone chime in and let me know that lamp cord actually sounds just as good so I can go on with my life.

Happy New Year!
128x128b_limo
inna
7,174 posts
 
Just keep them, I use speaker cables that used to cost new as much as my speakers new. In the long run this will not feel too expensive.
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,326 posts
 
@b_limo,You have not lost your mind. Couple of years back you and I exchanged emails on Signal cables vs Clear Day. I like the Clear Day in my system. If you are more than happy with the Analysis cables, then it's time to sell the rest and move on.I was wondering where you had disappeared all this time. Do update your system when you get a chance.
robob's avatar
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robob
197 posts
 
Cables do sound different, but I am not so sure past a certain point the price is a factor.  I think it is more how the cables interact with the system.  
b_limo's avatar
b_limo OP
2,273 posts
 
I agree with robob.  How the cables interact / synergy is key.  I guess there are so many variables between amps, speakers, cables, etc. Thats part of what makes the hobby fun!

@ Larry, the difference was very minimal across the board but at the same time it wasn’t minimal.  The high hats a cymbals went from sounding good to sounding real.  It also seemed like the timing or rythm / swing / bounce of the music changed.  It  unraveled rock music that had multiple intruments layered on top of each other in a way that allowed me to hear and follow each instrument and have a better understanding of how the instruments interacted with each other in order to make music.  The cables also sounded more laid back without losing any detail.  It makes me wonder if my other cables are slanted to the bright side.

Anyhow, I’m still on the fence about the purchase.  I’m going to let these other cables burn in for a few days then possibly try the Analysis cables again.  I’m thinking that I can have more gains right now with some more room treatments but we’ll see! 
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,826 posts
 
Quality speaker cables truly can bring your system together, musically.  Are they system dependent?  Of course everything involved in our systems are!  I've been party to so many cable trials that there remains no doubt about their importance in system synergy. Listen to those cables that bring the music together such that it just envelops the soundscape with clean, dynamic,  frequency-even sound!  STOP there.


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