Cable Question

Serendipity

A while ago I tried to see if cables made a difference in my system. I was surprised by the results due to the fact that cables made a difference. However, I didn't hear a truly tremendous difference between any two sets of cables.

I did my test with the following:
1. Cables that came with a DVDP/VCR
2. RadioShack Gold Series Cables
3. Straight Wire Analog Cables

I found out that there was a slight difference between the Straight Wire analog IC's vs. my old RadioShack cables. However, I'm not sure if I could hear a significant difference if someone were to swap out the cables while I was blindfolded.

The real surprise came when I tried the stereo cables that come in the box with a DVDP/VCR... quite a difference between those cables and the Straight Wire analog IC's. The bass was much less refined on the cables that came in the box.

Now my question is: Should I do more testing or spend more time with the Straight Wire cables? It seems as if the RadioShack Gold cables are sonically 99% of the Straight Wire IC's, yet the RadioShack cables cost much less???

tonyb

The more revealing your system is,the more you will hear what cables can do.If you are happy with what you hear,why spend more?

Serendipity

I just wanted to find out if cables made a difference.

Willow

buy some used ICs, it's a no brainer. if you like what you hear, keep them. If you don't, sell them. This is how I have found what I like and don't like. I don't care what anyone says, I found it made a difference, that's all that matters as it's MY system.

treitz3

Willow wrote: »

buy some used ICs, it's a no brainer.

This is what I have done and it has worked well for me. If I don't like a particular flavor, I can unload it for about the same as I paid for it.

On another note. IC's, SC's, PC's can make a slight change in the end result as to what hits your ears. Don't expect that the sound will have a change like that of changing an amplifier as you'll never be happy. What you are hearing is just a start and you will experience more as your journey continues but I'm not gonna tell you what they are [for obvious reasons] and I will let you make your own discoveries. Congratulations on your new found sound.

Also, disregard everything your teachers tell you [as I've told you over the phone] when it come to your audio. Make your audio journey one path and your electrical journey another path. Your ears will thank you for it.

Serendipity

treitz3 wrote: »

On another note. IC's, SC's, PC's can make a slight change in the end result as to what hits your ears. Don't expect that the sound will have a change like that of changing an amplifier as you'll never be happy. What you are hearing is just a start and you will experience more as your journey continues but I'm not gonna tell you what they are [for obvious reasons] and I will let you make your own discoveries. Congratulations on your new found sound.

Sure, I was just expecting a large difference between cables, yet I only heard a slight difference between any two IC's that I swapped out.

A few years ago when I compared my Onkyo as an amp vs. an Adcom GFA-535, I heard a big difference between the two. However, IMO, there wasn't that much of a change when swapping cables. But like I said they still made a difference.

Just reporting my results and everything here is just my opinion!

tonyb

Like everything else,the more you move up the ladder,the bigger the difference you'll hear.Give Ben's IC's a whirl.If you compared an Onyko avr to an Adcom amp,your not even talking apples and apples.You have to decide your own upgrade path untill your happy with what you hear.Everything in the chain will make a difference.

Serendipity

tonyb wrote: »

Like everything else,the more you move up the ladder,the bigger the difference you'll hear.Give Ben's IC's a whirl.If you compared an Onyko avr to an Adcom amp,your not even talking apples and apples.You have to decide your own upgrade path untill your happy with what you hear.Everything in the chain will make a difference.

I'm probably the youngest on this forum, so I really can't afford IC's right now because I have to buy textbooks and stuff.

But when I do get the chance, I will give them a try.

tonyb

School??
Very over rated!!:)

Seriously,stay there as long as you can if someone else is paying for it.I mean untill your like 30.

Serendipity

tonyb wrote: »

School??
Very over rated!!:)

Seriously,stay there as long as you can if someone else is paying for it.I mean untill your like 30.

If someone else is paying for it? Haha, I've got a scholarship...

dragon1952

appadv wrote: »

I'm probably the youngest on this forum, so I really can't afford $120+ IC's right now because I have to buy textbooks and stuff.

But when I do get the chance, I will give them a try.

This guy's silver cables are quite awesome and about half the price of where other silver cable prices even start. For $81 shipped it's a great deal. Only problem is they don't have the name recognition so you wouldn't be able to get as much on a resale probably, but believe me these are good.
http://cgi.ebay.com/99-999-Pure-Silver-Sonnet-Interconnect-II-1M-Pr_W0QQitemZ140200909935QQihZ004QQcategoryZ64591QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

ben62670

appadv wrote: »

I'm probably the youngest on this forum, so I really can't afford $120+ IC's right now because I have to buy textbooks and stuff.

But when I do get the chance, I will give them a try.

Comparing those 2 wires is like comparing a pinto to a chevette in the audio world. Please delete that price from this thread. I take care of Polkies better than that.

Thanks
Ben

treitz3

Price aside, Ben makes some damn fine sounding cables. Top notch quality as well as fair pricing too. I'm pleased.

Serendipity

ben62670 wrote: »

Comparing those 2 wires is like comparing a pinto to a chevette in the audio world. Please delete that price from this thread. I take care of Polkies better than that.

Thanks
Ben

Sure, no problem!

jakelm

appadv wrote: »

If someone else is paying for it? Haha, I've got a scholarship...

Must be a sports scholarship, cause you dont know jack about Physics...
















or how to hook up a sub....lol:p:p

Serendipity

jakelm wrote: »

Must be a sports scholarship, cause you dont know jack about Physics...

or how to hook up a sub....lol:p:p

Haha, I found that really funny.

jakelm

appadv wrote: »

Haha, I found that really funny.

I had to pick on you..my friend...:)

Serendipity

I know how to hook up a sub. I just didn't know about the "Double Bass" feature.

Serendipity

...and I got an A in Physics...

jakelm

appadv wrote: »

...and I got an A in Physics...

Congrats!!!....fa real...:D

Serendipity

Thanks, now how am I supposed to hook up that sub again?

I figured it out. You connect it to the "Tape loop" jacks on the back of the receiver

But the volume control doesn't work!!

jakelm

appadv wrote: »

Thanks, now how am I supposed to hook up that sub again?

Take that long round thing.. and put it in that short round holey thing..

jakelm

appadv wrote: »

Thanks, now how am I supposed to hook up that sub again?

I figured it out. You connect it to the "Tape loop" jacks on the back of the receiver

But the volume control doesn't work!!

Because thats for DUCK tape...

Serendipity

jakelm wrote: »

Because thats for DUCK tape...

You'd be surprised how many students in my Electrical Engineering class can't figure out how to get Dolby Digital to work on a DVD Player! They all use the analog cables!

jakelm

appadv wrote: »

You'd be surprised how many students in my Electrical Engineering class can't figure out how to get Dolby Digital to work on a DVD Player! They all use the analog cables!

EE class deals with mostly voltage, amps, currents...etc Kinda hard to find that in a 1's and 0's toslink cable...

Serendipity

jakelm wrote: »

EE class deals with mostly voltage, amps, currents...etc Kinda hard to find that in a 1's and 0's toslink cable...

This reminds me of my friend who's mechanical engineering major...when his car stalled he tried to push it for like 5 minutes and got nowhere. He then realized that the tranny was still in "Park."

HAHAHAHAHA

jakelm

appadv wrote: »

This reminds me of my friend who's mechanical engineering major...when his car stalled he tried to push it for like 5 minutes and got nowhere. He then realized that the tranny was still in "Park."

HAHAHAHAHA

No way...thats funny.

My sister is a A+ bookworm, but has absolutly no common sence...

Serendipity

He was also an A+ engineering student but couldn't figure out how to push a car!