An EXPERIMENT for those who have never heard differences in cables


There are many here who have never heard differences in cables, I was there years ago until I read a post of someone preferring the sound of 28 awg magnet wires for speaker cables. I quickly drove out to my local Radio Shack and picked up magnet wires of various sizes (22-28 awg) to hear what it sounds like. I remember this being a fun experiment and a really cheap one that taught me a thing or two, I've gone on to experience many other cable designs over the years.

***Run two insulated magnet wire to each speaker (one for positive, one for negative) and use them in place of your existing speaker cable, the insulation on magnet wires are very thin and a little difficult to strip, sandpapering the tips may work. Connect them to the binding posts on your amp and speakers and let us know what you hear?
(Amazon also carries various sizes of magnet wires)
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I'm convinced that many who say there is no difference between competent cables have never actually listened. They've simply come to that conclusion based on their faith.

Of those who have listened and found no difference, I think many have come to the conclusion based on "confirmation bias." Their faith is so powerful that they just can't imagine there's a sonic difference between cables.
 I'm convinced you've simply fabricated a straw man to support your unsubstantiated theories about other people.   I've worked with audio equipment for 55 years, including selling it.   I hear very, very little, if any, difference in cables.  However, I'm always hopeful I will.  Recently, I went through my entire system and replaced all of the RCA style interconnects with expensive balanced interconnects between components and the preamp, and from the preamp to the power amp.  Couldn't identify a change to the sound reproduction and/or sound quality.

I have a dedicated power circuit to the equipment with after market power cables to every piece of equipment and to the Furman IT 20i direct-symmetrical power center.

I've used Tara Labs, Kimber Cable, and Purist Audio speaker cables - couldn't hear any difference between any of them.

I make no conclusions about what other people may hear when they change cables.  I only know, that I've tried a variety of cables in my system over the years and only hear a difference if gross changes are made - of the type suggested in the original post - taking a 28 gage wire and comparing it to an expensive speaker cable.

Changing expensive cables, substituting power cables, etc. - I don't hear a difference.  However, I readily admit - I may not be able to perceive the subtleties claimed by others.
The only way some are going to hear a difference with speaker cables, is to remove them from your system, and bring them to a home where differences can be heard on that system. Not all systems have the transparency and careful set up to hear what should be obvious. I do not understand why this battle goes on.  It could be that some do not know the best way to set up their system... not knowing its potential and leaving it at that.  Or,  like with human eyesight differences,  some people can not hear certain things that others do... Who knows?   I do know this.  Change cables in my system and you will hear the difference. I have found so far the most neutral to live sound in speaker cables is using litz cabling, like WyWires uses. Before WyWires I used to make my own cables with a solder pot and litz I purchased from a supplier/manufacturer.  My interconnects are now also litz.  Its just a matter of taste.  I am a musician and prefer the realistic sound I hear with certain instruments that litz provides.  I can have my mind changed.  But I have yet to hear what will..
Here is the truth of the matter. Wires act like antennae. Length, construction, metallurgy all vary their efficiency as a TX or RX.  The change in sound heard when changing the wire has nothing to do with resistance or ability to move a coil in a magnetic field. It's all to do with the DAC.
If you have a separate DAC, all that matters for maximum transparency is to keep away RFI/EMI ... conducted or transmitted ...from the final D/A stage. Because it's here ...where the bits become volts, that you can't have any perturbation of the clocking or reference voltage. If you don't appreciate this, you are playing whack-a-mole with cables.

So, I run Audiowise (www.audiowise.ca) and sell a 90dB+ sleeve that covers any cable (power esp). When a cable is not an antenna, the DAC is less affected and sounds it best.

Everyone has their pet theory as to why cables, or in this case a DAC, makes a difference. Lots of theories with no concrete proof other than the empirical, "I can hear the difference." You’ll have to tell me how a DAC makes a difference when I’m using a turn table, all of the connections are analog, and no D/A stages are involved.
The only way some are going to hear a difference with speaker cables, is to remove them from your system, and bring them to a home where differences can be heard on that system.
All of the cable changes I’ve made were done at my house with my system, since auditioning a cable at a store with their equipment has zero relevance as the cables are not connected to my system. Other than an audio store I know no one with a system better than mine, so I cannot avail myself of someone else’s equipment.  In any case, the audible difference on someone else's system is a moot point since I don't listen to their system.

Not all systems have the transparency and careful set up to hear what should be obvious. I do not understand why this battle goes on.
That very well could be true. In my system, I’ve used a Denon POA1500 amplifier, a McIntosh 2105, and I now have a Balanced Audio VK6200. I’ve used a variety of pre-amps, and currently have a McIntosh MK123 AV/pre-amp.

Speakers have been Klipsch, JBL, Magneplanars, and currently are B&W 802 series.

So, my systems have been solid mid-fi, but maybe not to the level required to actually be able to present the difference in cables.