The Physics of Electricity

I actually did a careful experiment. I was a non-believer. and Sean, formerly on Audiogon, loaned me a set of cables to test.

I was using AWG12 zip cord. I forget exact;y what the test cables were, but they were a well regarded "exotic" brand.

I set up two identical Dynaudio speakers, close together,one with my zip cord and the other with the exotic cable. I connected the same (mono) signal to each channel. Now, by using the balance control on the preamp I could listen to one wire, and then the other in quick succession.

After quite a bit of listening I concluded that the exotic wire sounded very slightly better than the "junk" zip cord. I am not sure I would pay much for the difference. Nevertheless, when I reconfigured my power amps to monoblocks adjacent to the speakers I did spring for exotic wire. I have no idea if it was necessary, but the wire length was so short that the cost was not great.

"After quite a bit of listening I concluded that the exotic wire sounded very slightly better than the "junk" zip cord."

"we've secretly replaced the fine coffee they usually serve with Folgers Crystals"

Thank you very much. I will still go for fine coffee.

You are paying for some one that come up with an idea to make the cable sounds or conducts better. In instant, better material, insulation, thickness of the calbe, keeping electron flowing straight...and the list go on and on...

Minus the costs of R&D and advertising...most high end cables would be similarly priced as the "budget" ones.