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In Reply to: RE: ARE $13,200 INTERCONNECTS WORTH THE PRICE?? posted by thebordas on February 14, 2015 at 07:19:35
I am glad those ICs fit another (the final?) piece of your ultimate audio nirvana puzzle.
Two things that always interest me when I hear about ultra high priced cables (certainly anything over $10K) are, what would I find if I cut one of them in half and, how many were sold last year?
I am intrigued by the whole cable thing since I have made quite a few myself, including a set of ICs that one equipment manufacturer now uses in their reference system. I have cut into a few fairly well known cables and, while the materials quality ranges widely with the different cables I have explored, I have seen nothing that would approach even $5K (for typical lengths) without resulting in at least 200 percent profit. The high priced cable industry is one in which it seems there is only a very loose, if any, correlation between manufacturing costs and retail price, even accounting for the tooling required and the need for moderate to large cable runs for economy. I find it interesting that few cable manufacturers these days provide even basic information about the geometry, number of conductors, wire gauge and dielectric used in their cables. The sales pitch seems to be all about how stunning the sound is, what electrical properties are optimized, and which pitfalls (common to their competitors) are avoided by using their cables. I can only suspect that, when you approach the pinnacle, the level of research involved to reach the next higher plateau becomes orders of magnitude greater.
Follow Ups:
Cables/cords fascinate me as well -Mitch2.
I would love to read more about those who cut in half well-branded cables/power cords and explore the innards.
What is it you would like to know?
Maybe I can answer one or two questions by saying I never cut up a cable just to see what was inside but I have purchased a few used, and then reterminated them in the lengths I needed or, in some cases, reterminated them with better connectors. I have also purchased longer than needed single wire speaker cables, cut them in half, and reterminated them to make a bi-wire pair with common connectors at the amp end. Some manufacturers use outstanding materials, like the OCC solid core copper wire and foamed PE dielectric used by Harmonic Technology, others not so good.
I have made quite a few IC, PC and speaker cables, both from basic hook-up wire in a variety of geometries, and using other materials for spacing, shielding, and covering, and I have also made quite a few cables by purchasing high quality bulk cable (usually OCC copper wire) and terminating it with top quality connectors. I have dabbled with networks but have never tried an active dbs.
Over the years, I have improved my ability and methods of terminating cables, and I have been occasionally amazed at the poor quality solder joints or crimps in some manufactured cables. Just because it comes from a manufacturer, doesn't mean it is well put together.
Right On! Mitch2-
many manufacturers are in cahoots w/ china as well. Somehow this is never disclosed?
All legitimate questions for sure, but what matters first and foremost to me is the results. I am not biased toward gear no matter how much or how little it costs. I have had great inexpensive systems and cost no object setups. I really dig the naturalness of my current system....almost no electromechanical residue apparent. What I find most offensive is the glut of truly marginal differences between "just wire" cables. My ears have heard a decent portion of the various metals, treatments and geometries offered in the cable maelstrom and although they all sound slightly different, none of them delivered what I wanted from my system(s). I found the various brands to be more metallurgical voodoo than solutions to great sound. Inevitably I pay for what sounds best and for me that is Transparent and MIT products. A free market delivers the best array of products at prices for every level of consumer. Options are great and I do not mind paying for that privilege. So in the end, I understand your perspective completely....I just submit that I like being able to pay for what I believe to be the best!
dave_b
$ 13k cable may be consider as a bargain for many.
Well bouncy, I am not jaded enough to consider that kind of money "a bargain", but I am ok with having the option to buy it or not. FYI, I didn't even pay near the list price...pays to shop around as well!
dave_b
same here, I choose to DIY.
cheers
I understand that;))
dave_b
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