Is High End Cable Really Worth It and What Brand


Hello. My system is almost complete. I'm just waiting for the Dynaudio Center to arrive and my McIntosh AV system will be up and running. The dealer wants me to change out my speaker cable (which I paid a lot for), claiming I will get much better performance out of the dynaudio speakers. The cable I bought (from another dealer) was expensive, but not by the standards of what I'm being told I need. Any advice here would be most appreciated. Is it worth $500.00 of cable? I don't want to have things just for the concept. I will pay if the results are real. I just don't know. Thanks for your advice.
jsdk
I've experimented with many speaker cables, and have
a relatively "high-end" system, but I've settled on
Alpha-core Goertz MI-2 cables. They are very neutral,
with excellent extension at the frequency extremes, and
are a bargain to boot. I just sold a pair and replaced
them with the same cable of different length and
termination because I purchased a new amp. I've bought
pricey interconnects, but have no desire to switch from
the MI-2 speaker cables.
IN a new system configuration;I wouldn't spend a dime beyond what you already have. Now if you could get a 100% cash back on what you already bought--- that would be diff. ---Listen/ enjoy/ get a feel/ you'll get caught up on "better"--or not. By then things will be different--or not. You may just be delighted with what you got. ------Kinda like adding salt before you taste. Give it a taste first.
There is no doubt in my mind that cables and interconnects can make a big difference in how your system sounds. A simple demonstration would be to demo some cables that exhibit very different tendencies (in any system) and hear the difference for yourself. If you can't hear a difference, or the difference is not worth the money to you, well you've saved yourself a bit of cash. An example of two such contrasting speaker cables or interconnects might be a very revealing pure silver cable like Homegrown Audio produces (as well as other manufacturers), and any number of warmer, usually slower, braided copper cable solutions. Each of those two should impart a very different sound, no matter what your system. Which is 'best' to your ears, with the music you listen to, on your system, in your listening room, is only for you to say. No dealer, and no audiophile here can give you a universal 'ideal cable' (or ideal component for that matter). System synergy and personal preferences are as different as fingerprints. I would highly recommend, if you do choose to make cable purchases, consider some of the many smaller manufacturers and DIY cable makers, that are making outstanding products without the overhead of the boutique cable advertising that "justifies"/necessitates their 400-800% markup. There are many DIY dealers selling their cables on this site. Do a search on AudioAsylum for some comments, and take all of that with a shaker full of salt. Again, your mileage may vary!
This Warrenh guy has really impressed me. I'm going to make a point to read his threads when I see his name. Listen to this man. I don't think you can get a better answer to your question.
I agree with AVGUYGEORGE. You have a lot new already going on. Get yourself up and running. I would offer a point of reference. The discovery 123 speaker cable is a very neutral entry level cable. You might visit fatwyre.com, find your existing cable in their cable lineup and compare it to something like the discovery.

Cable is subject to tremendous markup. I would not buy cable from a dealer who is selling it at retail; it is too easy to buy great cable at discount prices.