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In Reply to: RE: OK, I'm pretty sure I'm ready... posted by michaelhigh on May 11, 2012 at 20:47:50
In practice, there is little reason other than possible cost constraints of premium cables for just about any audiophile quality system. For example: I have control over other components in my system, but have no choice other than to use a Motorola digital cable terminal supplied by my cable provider. While the particular digital cable box is not bad sounding, it's not high performance compared to my digital transport/DAC. That said, I use a premium power cord and rca interconnects with the cable box that are on par with other high performance cables in my system. When lesser performance cables are substituted, the subjective audio quality declines in a similar manner as a component downgrade. So, in my experience, while the laws of diminishing returns might be a relative thing, there's nothing that keeps me away from trying to achieve better optimized performance based on the inherent sonic limitations of less than stellar gear other than what I'm willing/able to spend.
If you state a target price range for your wants/needs, folks might be better able to help in your search. Also, you need to be more specific about the length of rca interconnect cables and the per channel length of speaker cables, and what type of connectors are needed on each end.
Follow Ups:
You mention premium power cords in your post. What, in your estimation, separates a premium power cord from a lesser cord?
Higher grade connectors such as Wattgate or Furutech make the most difference in the sound of a PC. Geometry is also a factor: I favor the Flavor configuration of an opposing twist, spaced ground. Shielding is usually superfluous, sometimes even harmful. I believe the wire itself is of least importance. Any stranded copper 14 gauge for sources or larger for amps will suffice. Anything larger than 10 gauge is ridiculous unless your amp is rated by horsepower instead of watts. Type of insulation doesn't seem terribly important.
Peace,
Tom E
Howdy,
"Higher grade connectors such as Wattgate or Furutech make the most difference in the sound of a PC."
Not the most (IME), but high performance AC connectors are an essential aspect of audiophile power cord designs.
"Geometry is also a factor: I favor the Flavor configuration of an opposing twist, spaced ground."
Thumbs-up. The Flavor designs (and the AirSine) are classic.
"Shielding is usually superfluous, sometimes even harmful."
I can generally agree.
"I believe the wire itself is of least importance."
Contraire: Wire is the heart of cabling, so how can it not be a fundamental thing?
"Any stranded copper 14 gauge for sources or larger for amps will suffice. Anything larger than 10 gauge is ridiculous unless your amp is rated by horsepower instead of watts."
Contraire: Optimum audiophile conductor gauge is often a matter of phenomenon rather than EE specs. A low current application can sound great via a large AWG power cord, and often does, IME.
"Type of insulation doesn't seem terribly important."
Contraire: Insulation can sometimes have an even greater role in how a cable actually sounds than a particular conductor material such as OCC.
just my 2 copper pennies :-)
Cheers, Duster
The poster asked about elements of power cords that affect sonics. Of course, IC's and speaker cables are a different matter entirely. In power cords, I can't hear differences between wire types or insulation types. Perhaps you are more discerning than I, but I think fancy wire and teflon is not a good value in PC's. I'm not saying they're unimportant in general, but less important for PC's only. However, every extra dollar spent on better connectors will yield better sonics almost every time.
I'm sure there are exceptional applications, even low current draw components, that sound better with grossly oversized wire, but in general it's a marginal improvement and the cost and inconvenience of stiff, bulky wire is not really worthwhile. Again, quality connectors, not shiny Chinese eBay junk, on decent size wire will probably be a better investment.
Peace,
Tom E
nt
As I personally see it, and as it may relate to just about any product, the notion of a premium product is often based on market value. It may pertain to special processing, manufacturing, and/or material costs that may deem a product to be superior to mundane product offerings with cost limitations based on lower-price level markets. The notion of a premium audiophile product applies to just about any type of device that provides a discernibly superior performance level vs an entry level product, such as what high-end gear tends to provide, often with price points that reflect the costs of research, development, manufacturing, and material costs, as well as lower customer demand for premium products vs. the mundane consumer electronics marketplace where lower-priced products have a much higher percentage of sales within the industry. my 2 cents
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