The effect of cables - A sane debate

[mpw]

OK, I'll throw one more curve ball. For IC's, who among us optimizes the cable conductor for the voltage the source is outputting? Is that even valid?

So many questions..
So little time..
So let's enjoy the music
And not while away our time

)

 

[Kannan]

We are going around with 'questionable questions' and 'questionable answers' or is it 'answerable questions' and 'questionable answers'.

Damn...I am now going to wiggle out a coat hanger and challenge all the dudes to beat the sound quality as I would then be using the thickest material

 

[mpw]

The sane debate is turning insane .

)

Time for a haircut

)

 

[Hari Iyer]

Btw, the pvc 2.5 sqmm polycab cable is used by me to dry my wet clothes after I replaced them first to solid copper wire and now recently to telephone cables.

 

[jls001]

Btw, the pvc 2.5 sqmm polycab cable is used by me to dry my wet clothes after I replaced them first to solid copper wire and now recently to telephone cables.

A DIYer must not let anything go to waste

 

[mpw]

Btw, the pvc 2.5 sqmm polycab cable is used by me to dry my wet clothes after I replaced them first to solid copper wire and now recently to telephone cables.

Suddenly I feel better...

 

[jls001]

Mathematically, if R is zero V needs to be infinite. Hence not possible.

BTW, since you're discussing near-absolute zero, how will such temperature affect other parameters like capacitance and inductance? Will dielectrics change their property? Just curious.

Further, some people say treating conductors to cryo temperature changes their material property and makes them better as electrical conductors. My question is will these changes in crystal structure of the material thus treated revert to its original structure when it is brought back to room temperature? Or is the change permanent?

 

[vnavin]

What you hear cannot be measured sometimes some of you may agree.

 

[prem]

I have found cryogenic treatment beneficial for power cables. Jacob of Rethm believes in cryogenic treatment.

 

[keith_correa]

And what about liquid metal cables?

 

[spirovious]

We have experienced change in sound quality and soundstage when compared Bluerigger,Dac and Belkin hdmi cables in same system.On paper it is right,but in transparent amp and speakers ,one can feel the change which is not placebo.Even with some hdmi cables,one get better contrast.Afterall digits has to pass through copper(metal).Even spdf cable has its own signature if not made perfectly.

Cables it will be:

Did you'll know that Audio Quest got busted a couple of years ago for misleading the world with a video that claimed to improve sound if one of their HDMI cable was used?
They didn't realize that HDMI passes digital signal. So its either go or no go. But they showed audio amplitude changes with their cable.

Regards,

Ravindra.

 

[prem]

I feel more than ic and speaker cables, the quality of power supply and the power cables has a much greater impact on sound.

Then I would look at mechanical isolation

After that ic and speaker cables.

That’s been my experience. And if you’re using digital gear it is very important to prevent digital hash from entering the power line.

 

[mpw]

prem

i would assume that this discussions basic assumption was - all else incl power ...being same ...

 

[prem]

Yes mpw. My point was first get the power right and then go down the ic and speaker cable route. I just stated my order of preference

 

[prem]

Absolutely Yogibear. Unfortunately we guys live in a building and do not have that luxury

 

[prem]

For whatever it’s worth I use the Environmental Potential Ground Filter on my dedicated audio line. It’s connected at the mains board

 

[Hari Iyer]

Yes mpw. My point was first get the power right and then go down the ic and speaker cable route. I just stated my order of preference

Prem, How to get the power right. Most of what is supplied is not in our control. I have noticed in my setup, music played during day time is a bit harsher than the same music played at night after10:30pm. Does that mean, I shall gain by power conditioning?.

 

[captrajesh]

A couple of us conducted a cable test with a NAD amplifier in LaCozy, Mumbai, a while back.
Cables ranged from DIY to very expensive ones. Of cource we did not use any low grade, corroded, alluminium cables to check for de-gradation.
There was absolutely no change in perceived audio quality what so ever.

I have my own amplifier designs that I can lend for experimentation that works just as good with ANY cables.

On the other hand, let me know of a cable that I can use with my system or a cable guideline that I can follow and I will do so and report back.

You did a passing "cable test" with what can at best be described as a mid-fi gear and concluded that "Cables do not matter; if it's mattering, it's design fault of the amplifier"

Well! all I can say is: interesting!!!

So short answer to the question on hand:
Do 'High End Cables Matter?
No, Not at all.

But my system does respond positively to better cables.
That could be since the amplifier design is could be at fault.

But my amplifier is of a very trusted brand!
In support I say: Speaker impedance varies up to +400% to -100% from its nominal value. If the amplifier design is unable to cope with such large impedance then of course it will respond to cable impedance variation. But then the amplifier cannot be trusted to deliver power faithfully corresponding to the input signal and input signal only.

So you're saying that all those who are carrying out the experiments here are playing around with badly designed amplifiers!

Very interesting!!

 

[insane79]

This debate will never end, but i noticed a difference when i upgraded my LCR cables from Kimber kwik16 to Kimber Kable 4VS.

Could be the awg jump from 16awg to 13awg. I can definitely hear the difference for sure. The cable lengths are 1.5 meters each for front 3 speakers.

I read in forums people saying 16 awg is enough for short lengths like 1.5 meters but in reality i can hear the difference. So best is to try it & feel if you can hear the difference.



Cheers.

 

[prem]

Hari, start with a dedicated power line for audio from your mains box to begin with. Make sure nothing else operates on that line