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Cable Asylum

As a confirmed cable sceptic...

71.136.59.38

...I switched from my old 16 ga. multi-strand copper speaker cables to Canare 14 gauge Starquad cables. What I'm hearing is a more relaxed presentation with a little smoother top end. I don't want to say the difference is dramatic, but it is enough to notice. And for the modest investment of about $60, I think it was worth it. Please tell me I'm not insane! Help me, because I'm thinking about upgrading my interconnects now.

Follow Ups:

I also am a reformed skeptic - K-Bob 10:55:09 07/08/09 (0)
My conversion happened when I upgraded to Stereophile recommended speakers and was disappointed when they sounded like utter crap. Changed cables and, bam, they sounded good. But as others have said it's all about matching. Those cables that made my new speakers sound bad actually made my old speakers sound good.

For reasonably priced interconnects I recommend WireWorld.
--

Mucking around the low-end since 1986.
The irony ... - bjh 09:38:52 07/03/09 (1)
"Tricking people into buying over-priced products sounds like a good description of the entire cable industry to me"

"Don't get me started on cables. As laughable a subject as UFOs"

"Right off the bat you're dealing with folks who think electrons like $1000/meter esoteric cables better than 12 ga. OFC copper cables that you can get for less than a dollar/ft. I'd rather try pissing up a rope than talk cables."

... and yet here you are doing the cable talk!

LOL

... and oh,

"If you've spent any time on the Asylum you already know double blind tests are inherently flawed. Just ask anyone on the Cable Asylum."

perhaps a clue to seeking a cure so as to avoid repeat occurrence.

Everything matters, don't forget to tweak your placebos!
- RE: The irony ... - The Real Dick Hertz 11:52:11 07/03/09 (0)
  Forgive me Father for I have sinned.
You may have been a sceptic but obviously not confirmed. - soulfood 11:20:56 06/30/09 (0)
'Confirmed believer' would be more appropriate.

"Please tell me I'm not insane!"

I would but that might be misleading. Work it out like your doing with cables. You should not need confirmation.
I'm not a sceptic... - late 08:06:14 06/28/09 (1)
I have done dozens of comparisons looking for cheap but good. Finally found it. Some internet outfit was closing out silver on copper video ICs.
I bought 3 or 4 sets at 90% off. Redid almost the whole system.

Nice.
- Lemme guess... - bjh 08:15:46 07/03/09 (0)
  Tributaries Silver Series SCV C Component Video Cable?
  I got two sets, which yields 3 interconnects (pairs).
  I haven't put it head to head with my current cables (which are all 1m length vs. the 3m for the Tributaries stuff) but IMHO it is really quite good.
  Mind you it wasn't exactly super cheap at the original pricing ($340 per meter set).
  
  Everything matters, don't forget to tweak your placebos!
  
  Edits: 07/03/09
RE: As a confirmed cable sceptic... - conde 15:24:25 06/27/09 (1)
Yes, you are insane! Not for hearing a "more relaxed presentation with a little smoother top end" on better cables. You're perceived insane by non-inmates because you actually care about a more relaxed presentation with a smoother top end! :) Thankfully there is the Audio Asylum for those of us who notice, and care about such things.

In response to your thoughts though, cables do make an audible difference, and cable synergy within your system will go a long way toward getting the sound you want. Go for auditioning interconnect upgrade candidates!
- RE: As a confirmed cable sceptic... - docmark 09:39:29 06/28/09 (0)
  Cables can make an incredible difference. Yesterday, I listened to a demo of several levels of Transparent Cable. The changes going from one to another weren't subtle. The change was especially apparent on some orchestral work - air around instruments, accurate soundstaging of instruments in the orchestra, a palpable presence - you were "there" at the recording venue. However, sadly, not without a steep price of admission - probably about $100,000 of cables for the whole system. Sigh.....
RE: As a confirmed cable sceptic... - Awe-d-o-file 12:08:21 06/27/09 (2)
I am glad to read your post. Try other cables(IC, power) but always buy or loan such that you can return the item if not happy. I did speaker wire first back in the day then interconnects and finally power cables. Now after many years of fooling with these including being a dealer for all of the above I feel the "order of importance" of the three cables is the opposite of which I implemented them in my system...........

ET
Question "Authority", the mainstream media sucks - Go Independent and hold BOTH parties accountable instead of just the other guys!

I need music to help forget the reality of today
- Agree. The OP should start with the AC power. - Al Sekela 14:49:01 06/27/09 (1)
  Dick Hertz should start with AC circuits and outlets. Any effort to find good audio cable matches will be compromised by poor AC.
  - RE: Agree. The OP should start with the AC power. - Awe-d-o-file 15:34:53 06/27/09 (0)
    Yes, not so many years ago I would have said geez the component turns AC into DC inside, why worry about the AC? I have found whether a piece of gear is high dollar with a first rate power supply or an el cheapo with a poor power supply it will benefit from dealing with all the AC issues that filtering, isolating, regnerating and better quality power cords can address.
    
    ET
    Question "Authority", the mainstream media sucks - Go Independent and hold BOTH parties accountable instead of just the other guys!
    
    I need music to help forget the reality of today
Another "reformed" skeptic - Mossback 02:07:55 06/27/09 (8)
For many years I used inexpensive cables thinking they had little effect and the cost-benefit was beyond my means.
Over the past two years I have found using the right combination of quality cables (and outlet) has made a huge improvement to what I hear.
Lucky that I was able to borrow friend’s cables finding just the right combination for my gear and ears.
- I'm still in denial... - The Real Dick Hertz 07:56:47 06/27/09 (7)
  ...when it comes to the way out tweaks like magic rocks and outlet covers. I doubt I'll ever go there. But I've heard the benefit a small investment can make and would be inclined to try changing my inter connects if they would yield the same audible improvements.
  - RE: I'm still in denial... - Mossback 13:11:25 06/27/09 (0)
    I can understand your reluctance to buy into some of the tweaks touted online. I feel the same way but try to keep an open mind. Be willing to listen and you may find a few to be worthwhile.
    
    Have you any way to borrow some interconnects? I am no expert but it seems cables are synergetic to the gear and with each other.
    Don’t be afraid to try a power cable first. Look to your outlet also. I do not understand how a darn duplex outlet can affect sound the way it did in my system. This is a very odd hobby.
  - RE: I'm still in denial... - Steve Eddy 08:50:38 06/27/09 (5)
    But I've heard the benefit a small investment can make and would be inclined to try changing my inter connects if they would yield the same audible improvements.
    
    Er, and how exactly did you establish actual audibility?
    
    se
    - I've listened to my current set up... - The Real Dick Hertz 12:10:56 06/27/09 (4)
      ...for quite a while. I've always used 16 ga. multi-strand copper speaker wire. And I'm very familiar with the records and CD's I play because I don't buy very many. Most of my source material is several years old so I know exactly what I'm supposed to hear. As I said, the difference between the 16 ga. and the Canare was subtle but noticeable. More relaxed (with more air around vocals and instruments) presentation with slightly smoother high frequencies. Believe me, nobody could have been more surprised than I was!
      - RE: I've listened to my current set up... - Charlez 20:40:46 06/28/09 (3)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I've listened to my current set up... posted by The Real Dick Hertz on June 27, 2009 at 12:10:56
        
        Very similar recent experience. I've been using the inexpensive Radio Shack Mega cable (flat braided copper), and believed that spending more money on high-end speaker cables was not cost-effective. At the suggestion of a friend, I decided to try the Clear Day Silver Shotgun speaker cables (because of its 30-day return policy), and to my surprise it was like a major component upgrade. Most noticeable was all the new things were revealed on my SACDs and excellent remasterings (e.g. JVC K2).
        
        I recognize that this is entirely subjective and system dependent. But I'm not running a science lab, I'm just listening to music I like at home on my modest system. If the positive results to my ears are consistent, and they are, that's really all I care about.
        
        RE: I've listened to my current set up... - Steve Eddy 21:02:30 06/28/09 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I've listened to my current set up... posted by Charlez on June 28, 2009 at 20:40:46
        
        I recognize that this is entirely subjective and system dependent. But I'm not running a science lab, I'm just listening to music I like at home on my modest system. If the positive results to my ears are consistent, and they are, that's really all I care about.
        
        That's how I look at it.
        
        I don't worry about whether or not it's due to actual audible differences. The ultimate goal is simple personal enjoyment, however it may come about.
        
        se
        
        RE: I've listened to my current set up... - bjh 10:19:20 07/03/09 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I've listened to my current set up... posted by Steve Eddy on June 28, 2009 at 21:02:30
        
        Then why bring up the question of "actual audibility"?
        
        Duh!
        
        Everything matters, don't forget to tweak your placebos!
        
        RE: I've listened to my current set up... - alan m. kafton 02:17:27 06/29/09 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I've listened to my current set up... posted by Steve Eddy on June 28, 2009 at 21:02:30
        
        There 'ya go. :--)
cable differences were pretty obvious to me... - Leefer 19:52:43 06/26/09 (0)
when I recently auditioned some phono preamps at a local dealer using my headphones. We began with the onboard phono section on a mid-fi receiver (yuck), then to a $500 solid state phono preamp (nice) and finally to a $300 tube unit (nicer but still unimpressed). At this point I inspected the setup and noticed we were using off the shelf ic's that appeared to be chrome plated. I asked for better ic's to see if it would make a difference, so he hooked up a pair of Kimber Heros - whoa, real nice! I then asked to try the Nordost Blue Heaven's - incredible! I had never heard recorded music sound so real, so alive, so undigital! All of this auditioning was still through the mid-fi receiver! Wow! I then noticed the salesman, who was laughing at me while I continued to listen through my phones. I held up both hands in a gesture which basically asked why was he laughing and he indicated I had a huge smile on my face.

I am convinced that if you cannot hear a difference in cables, it's not because of your inability to hear such differences as it is likely the result of some upstream component, especially cables, that prevents you from enjoying your music to its fullest.
RE: As a confirmed cable sceptic... - jimmyjames 13:13:19 06/26/09 (5)
for another cheap thrill...check out the Radio Shack Mega Cable, flat copper braid speaker cable. 50 feet will set you back $25. Best bargain in audio. I went from $2K speaker cables to these and never looked back.

I hear lots of buzz about various cheap IC's but have not tried a single one. Tributaries makes some bargain cables and AudioAdvisor is always got a lot of demo cables on sale at really cheap prices. Also check out HCM Audio for great deals on AudioQuest cables. I have some Tributaries digital and RGB cables that are great performers for the money.

"E pur si muove...And yet it moves"
- Has anyone used Vampire wire? - The Real Dick Hertz 13:42:55 06/26/09 (4)
  Their interconnects look pretty reasonable. A one meter pair for $17.50? That's music to my ears.
  - RE: Has anyone used Vampire wire? - jimmyjames 13:34:18 07/01/09 (0)
    lots of so called "cable mfrs or cable companys" use vampire wire. They are an OEM and do custom extrusions or pulls as well as insulation and jackets.
    
    "E pur si muove...And yet it moves"
  - I use it all over the place. - mt10425 11:25:06 06/27/09 (2)
    My 2-channel 20ft speaker cables are 12ga ccc from Sound Connections (vampire wire). I'm a big fan of their continuous cast copper as opposed to standard ofc. I use CCC-III on an Arcam CDP and various other vintage items. I have some AI-II I/Cs not being used at the moment. I also use their digital cabling in my HT. I've got quite a few other vampires cables around not being used. Let me know if I can help you with your vampire cable search.
    
    "Apparently, people now believe that mental telepathy is the foundation of communication and magic is the source of daily events. Consequently, we no longer have to participate in our own lives."
    - I checked out their website. - The Real Dick Hertz 12:12:44 06/27/09 (1)
      Vampire wire is even less expensive than Blue Jeans cable, which surprised me.
      - Also - mt10425 04:12:13 06/28/09 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I checked out their website. posted by The Real Dick Hertz on June 27, 2009 at 12:12:44
        
        Stuart Marcus and his family are great to deal with.
        
        "Apparently, people now believe that mental telepathy is the foundation of communication and magic is the source of daily events. Consequently, we no longer have to participate in our own lives."
Fasten you safety belt - Mike B. 12:24:23 06/26/09 (0)
since you have opened the door just a bit, let me say you will not regret trying a quality IC.

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