For high-end interconnects. I always go into a set of interconnects with great skepticism. Normally I will have just upgraded one or more components, so I am calibrated as to what it cost me for the component (cost per sound improvement) I just bought. So, the sound of the interconnects need to make me feel like it is worth the money... like I have no alternative.. because of the improved sound. It is always a question of bang for the buck... get the most out of an existing component, or save it for a component upgrade.
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This is why it is best to try interconnects either from a dealer or rent. Or just buy some fairly inexpensive ones that are well reviewed. Just yesterday my dealer brought by a $2,500 digital interconnect for fun for me to try (my current interconnect was $2,000 Transparent). It made my system sound bad... brittle, glasslike, not better. Did not need to do any thinking about it... it sounded terrible. This is not common, but sometimes high quality interconnects do not sound better in your system. It should not be a hard choice... it should be easy, or it is a waste of money.
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This is why it is best to try interconnects either from a dealer or rent. Or just buy some fairly inexpensive ones that are well reviewed. Just yesterday my dealer brought by a $2,500 digital interconnect for fun for me to try (my current interconnect was $2,000 Transparent). It made my system sound bad... brittle, glasslike, not better. Did not need to do any thinking about it... it sounded terrible. This is not common, but sometimes high quality interconnects do not sound better in your system. It should not be a hard choice... it should be easy, or it is a waste of money.