Cable curmudgeon


I'm not an 'audiophile" but I like to think I have a good ear having been a professional musician (principal wind player in major symphony orchestras) for 50 years. A number of years ago going into an excellent audio equipment store I talked with, what seemed, a knowledgeable salesman.  Being a musician experienced in audio systems but not expert on all the equipment out there I had some questions concerning high (over-priced?) end cables. The salesman assured there was an audible differencet in a demo room switching back and forth etc.  After a few minutes I noticed the sound coming out of only one channel.  He complemented me on my "good ear."  Hmmm? A few years later when setting up my home system I investigated speaker cables. Two sets of Monster, stranded standard cable, solid core copper (used for alarm system) attached with like connecters. There was a difference.  However, not in terms of better or worse: bass and treble were acceptable as was clarity loud and soft.  Differences were esthetic- like asking "whose the best tenor" (I like Plácido).  Now I know as a musician used to live (i.e. un-amplified) music that all I hear coming out of a loud speaker is perforce ersatz.  But most everything today comes out of a loud speaker whether a rock concert or a hi-fi system so perhaps my opinion is curmudgeonly. But, for me, spending oodles of money on hyped cables, well... I  liked the solid core for my alarm system- still do.

 

exflute

Please give a break. The OP “compared” a shitty Monster cable from decades ago to alarm system cable. And arrived to a “scientific “ conclusion that cables do not make a difference. For him and all of the “audiophiles” (the parentheses are his). The usual cable deniers are rejoicing. As if the big proof has been revealed now. Pathetic

Just what we need-another fun and entertaining jaunt to break up the drudgeries of our daily lives with the usual sides (like that of a hexagon) taking up residence.

Allow me to distill this from an the old adage that a plumber's house always leaks:
                       A musicians system is always off key.

All the best,
Nonoise

 

jasonbourne52"The Emperor's New Clothes is the applicable paradigm"

That is just so cute and adorable that if you were here I'd give you a hug I think it is great that you are taking what you read and using it to compare it to the real world. Fairy tales and folk tales often have "hidden messages" and there are many good ones have your read Hansel and Gretel? That's a scary one but of course they are usually "simplistic" but fun too.

As you continue your reading I recommend you seek basic, elemental, introductory texts about electricity they will help you understand what a circuit is, how it works, and how electricity can be made to do work for us it is a fascinating topic! If you are in "scouting" I think you can get a merit badge or maybe even more than one for showing a familiarity, understanding, and comfort with the common, essential, necessary terms and parameters of electricity.

The OP “compared” a shitty Monster cable from decades ago to alarm system cable.

Just as pop music has devolved [see Why is Modern Music so Awful? - YouTube] and most quality has disappeared [see ieLogical Lossy], perhaps modern listeners are adding ’Sweet n Low’ with tweaks that old timers don’t miss.

Don’t misunderstand, it’s pure physics that interconnect cables alter the sound. Perhaps it’s akin to the demise of classis malts being replaced with flavor of the month for kiddies raised on Snapple. Cinnamon Bourbon?!!?!! NFW!

perhaps modern listeners are adding ’Sweet n Low’ with tweaks that old timers don’t miss.

Oh yeah, that’s it.  Just buy alarm system wire and be done with it.  To each his own.