Are you serious

BullShifter
BullShifter Posts: 66
edited March 2006 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
I'm looking to upgrade my cables and speaker wire. Anyways while searching eBay I came across these - http://cgi.ebay.com/Nordost-Valhalla-1M-Reference-Interconnects-RCA-RCA_W0QQitemZ5873562973QQcategoryZ33205QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem $2524 for an RCA cable? :eek: I need about 8. That's over $20,000 just for cables at 1m, too short for my needs. If those are that expensive speaker wire will cost me $50,000 or more..... I'll stick with what I have and buy a new C6 Z06.

Can anyone explain what makes these so expensive?
HK AVR 335
Polk R50 fronts
Polk CSi25 center
Polk R15 rear
2 Sony modded subs with 12" Daytons
32" Sharp Aquos
PS2
Post edited by BullShifter on
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  • michael_w
    michael_w Posts: 2,813
    edited March 2006
    Because they sound good...

    They should sound better than cheapo cables, but it's all personal preference. Would you fill up that vette with regular? If someone has a $100k amp, pre or cdp why would they use $100 cables?
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  • BullShifter
    BullShifter Posts: 66
    edited March 2006
    Good point.
    HK AVR 335
    Polk R50 fronts
    Polk CSi25 center
    Polk R15 rear
    2 Sony modded subs with 12" Daytons
    32" Sharp Aquos
    PS2
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  • John K.
    John K. Posts: 822
    edited March 2006
    Bull, you may have noticed how the price of oil has increased lately, but that's nothing compared to what they charge for pumping snakeoil into cables. The cable that you saw is just an example of the loathsome practices going on in this area, and is far from the worst example. For example, take a look at these prices if you'd like something handmade by "Mr. Fields and the chief technician". He says that: "There is no superior cable in existance..." and that's likely a true statement because audio cables do a technologically trivial task, but he doesn't mention that it can be done just as well for $10 rather than $10,000. More reasonably priced cables, such as these can be easily found from many sources.
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited March 2006
    Ain't capitalism SWEET?

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,654
    edited March 2006
    John K. lives in the vacuum of his own mind. Ignore anything he says because it's said without any experience.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited March 2006
    Considering they are about $3300/meter normally, $2000/meter is a pretty good deal. Think of the money you are saving by purchasing them on the bay. You could buy yourself a nice krell amp with your savings alone.... :D

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited March 2006
    Wow, those NBS cables are highly regarded based on reviews from Stereophile and Stereo Times.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,200
    edited March 2006
    Balance is key. Buying the right level of cable for the matching system is how you do it. There is a system that needs cables and these will go to the one needing them.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • BullShifter
    BullShifter Posts: 66
    edited March 2006
    mantis wrote:
    Balance is key. Buying the right level of cable for the matching system is how you do it. There is a system that needs cables and these will go to the one needing them.

    Dan
    I wish I had that system, even just part of it.

    Anybody want to share some links for "luxury" audio equipment? I've seen enough cables, now it's time to salivate over amps & speakers.
    HK AVR 335
    Polk R50 fronts
    Polk CSi25 center
    Polk R15 rear
    2 Sony modded subs with 12" Daytons
    32" Sharp Aquos
    PS2
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,654
    edited March 2006
    www.audiogon.com
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Modvlar
    Modvlar Posts: 51
    edited March 2006
    If recording studios used that kind of cabling, they'd need to have the GDP of a large country. Definitely unrealistic, just bragging rights (I'd just consider the person goofy). People with disposable cash makes me soooo angry.

    ... now I'm thinking... Do girls dig guys with expensive patch cords? (Like cars?)


    small test:
    1" 16-Track to Mixer (or patchbay) (ins&outs)
    (32x) 6m run (at least) = 192m
    192x2000=$384,000!!!
    I have yet to see this happen. (considering a nice analog machine runs well under 10k)
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  • markopolo
    markopolo Posts: 18
    edited March 2006
    Should I be thinking of these $3000 cables for my Radio Shack stereo? Cuz man just think how good it would sound then.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,654
    edited March 2006
    Maybe one day, if you're really, really good the Audio Santa will bring you a nice set up along with cables that perform on par.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • StopherJJ1980
    StopherJJ1980 Posts: 267
    edited March 2006
    Honestly though. Look at your ratio of cost of manufacturing versus retail price. While you traditional good cable will be 10:1 the "high-end" cables will be more like 1000:1. I doubt that a high end cable company would ever dare let someone know how much it truly cost to make their cables though.
    -Stopher
    Tempe, AZ

    Setup:
    Polk RTi8 Mains
    Polk CSi5 Center
    Polk FXi3's Surround
    Cerwin Vega HTS10 Subwoofer
    Yamaha HTR-5740 AVR

    Upstairs R50/R15/CS1 5.1 setup w Pioneer AVR
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,654
    edited March 2006
    R&D baby! It's not as though everybody just buys the same stock cable like BJC or Signal.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • DiscoMike
    DiscoMike Posts: 114
    edited March 2006
    Do you think that 8 Tracks would sound as good as cassettes using these cables ?
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,654
    edited March 2006
    That's silly, 8 tracks always sound better than cassettes.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2006
    Imagine your **** puckering when you start to A/B that $2500 IC and a $150 Kimber Hero, and you get the feeling that your not hearing a $2350 difference? What would a $2350 difference sound like anyway? Thats gotta be good :D
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,654
    edited March 2006
    Believe me Steve, it's fantastic!!!
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • brendy
    brendy Posts: 7
    edited March 2006
    F1nut wrote:
    John K. lives in the vacuum of his own mind. Ignore anything he says because it's said without any experience.


    NO,listen to what he says.He,like most of us,are living in the real world with common sense.As PT Barum said,there is a sucker born every minute.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,654
    edited March 2006
    Well Brendy, here's some common sense for you to mull over.

    Living in the real world of audio involves more than basic bare bones gear and wire. Now, some folks like John K. and apparently you are more than happy with the gear and wire you own and that's fine, but DO NOT EVER tell me or anyone else that gear and wire doesn't matter if one wants to get the most out their listening experience. Again, John K. and apparently you haven't tried or owned "better" gear and wire and I know for a fact that John K. bases his opinions on what he reads and I'm sorry, but that doesn't cut it. Without actually experiencing something, such as "better "wire, one really doesn't have a clue and therefore their opinion leaves a lot to be desired, if not just down right dismissed.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,654
    edited March 2006
    brendy wrote:
    As PT Barum said,there is a sucker born every minute.

    I almost forgot this part of your post. Actually, you're wrong. PT Barnum never said that, it was a gentleman named George Hull.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited March 2006
    I have irrefutable evidence that the interconnect between components affects the sound of a musical system.

    RT1
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited March 2006
    brendy wrote:
    NO,listen to what he says.He,like most of us,are living in the real world with common sense.
    No he is just taking an auction dedicated to one group of people (affluent audiophiles) and applying it to his own situation.

    For example:
    My minivan run great, can hit almost every major speed limit in the US, gets ok mileage, and can haul 7 adults comfortably all for the price of $23,000. Why would someone purchase a corvette Z06 for $60,000 + when it has less functionality than my minivan? (The only thing it can do that my minivan cannot is hit EVERY major speed limit in the US) Does that mean I think the car is full of snake oil - selling a dream that somehow a middle aged balding man with a pot belly with look sexy to all the hot women as he rolls down the street? What does the extra car actually buy him that he can use on a daily basis?

    Some think purchasing a home theater that costs more than a $300 Sony DreamSystem is stupid and a waste of money. Maybe they are correct for their uses - but not mine. Do cables sound different? To me yes. Are cables worth $3000 / meter? To me no, but at that level you are not concerned with diminishing returns, you are chasing perfection. I would love to try out the $3000 cables just to see what they are like in my system, just like I would love to drive the Z06 to see how it drives.

    Just because something is beyond my price range, does not make it crap that rich people buy due to their lack of knowledge. Grow up and realize that there are things that you (and I) will never be able to afford and someone else will. Just pick your goals and work toward them - whether it is a $3000 cable or a $60,000 car, good luck to you.

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,780
    edited March 2006
    Horrible analogy. The difference between the mini-van and the Z-06 can easily be measured, and proven. It's even easy to tell that they sound different. I'm sure I could even tell the difference when blinfolded (double-blind), obviously with someone else driving.:D

    You can't do any of that with cables.
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited March 2006
    WilliamM2 wrote:
    Horrible analogy. The difference between the mini-van and the Z-06 can easily be measured, and proven. It's even easy to tell that they sound different. I'm sure I could even tell the difference when blinfolded (double-blind), obviously with someone else driving.:D

    You can't do any of that with cables.

    Congrats - you just saved yourself at least 4 grand... :D (provided you needed at least 2 cables)

    Personally - I would like to hear them before I decide whether they make a difference. Of course, that is just my opinion.

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,654
    edited March 2006
    Another opinion based on NO actual experience.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Skynut
    Skynut Posts: 2,967
    edited March 2006
    How about this.
    You go and buy some wire, ends, a nice cover, and maybe some heat shrink tubing.
    You then build some cables and try them out.
    You like them so you make some more and put them on e-bay to see what they fetch.
    Somehow a betting war starts because people think your cables look great and they want to try them.
    You sell them for $1500.00 a pair. they cost you $15.00 and an hour to make.
    I dare you to e-mail the buyer and ask them if they are crazy.
    Even more I dare you to not try it again.

    The fact is if I could sit here and make high dollar cables and sell them that is what I would do.
    If I could get fools to pay me a 10000% mark up for my time and effort I would probably go as far as to advertise.

    On the other side if I had the money to try $10,000.00 cables I probably would.
    Skynut
    SOPA® Founder
    The system Almost there
    DVD Onkyo DV-SP802
    Sunfire Theater Grand II
    Sherbourn 7/2100
    Panamax 5510 power conditioner (for electronics)
    2 PSAudio UPC-200 power conditioners (for amps)
    Front L/R RT3000p (Bi-Wired)
    Center CS1000p (Bi-Wired) (under the television)
    Center RT2000p's (Bi-Wired) (on each side of the television)
    Sur FX1000
    SVS ultra plus 2

    www.ShadetreesMachineShop.com
    Thanks for looking
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,780
    edited March 2006
    Another opinion based on NO actual experience.

    I love the way you keep claiming no one has any experience. This has been my hobby for over thirty years now, I have been running seperates for 25 years.

    I am not new to audio, and have auditioned numerous cables. I do not lack experience, I just don't have the over-active imagination that you do.

    Now you can insert your second favorite comment "maybe it's your equipment", since you have no real argument.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,654
    edited March 2006
    Like you, I've been in this hobby over 30 years, unlike you, I don't have tin ears.

    So, what cables have you tried William? Anything over $50.00?

    It seems to a be a fact that some folks can not hear a difference, nothing to be ashamed about, it's just the way it is. However, to transpose your inabilities on others as the gospel truth is ludicrous.

    Isn't it interesting that folks who claim they can't hear a difference or who have never tried high end cables are always the ones to start these cable discussions. Have you taken the time to read the cable reviews posted in this forum. None of those cables were really expensive, yet a large portion of folks reported noticing differences. I suppose they all have over-active imaginations too. Look at the tens of thousands of folks who buy high end cables. Do you really think people would keep spending their hard earned money on something that doesn't work or do they all have over-active imaginations too!?!
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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