Monster XP-CI wire Vs others?

Face

dorokusai wrote: »

I bet I can hang myself with any cable or interconnect, and it would work just fine....but if I'm going out that way, it's esoteric baby.

I'm sure MIT's would work fine for that. You could probably beat someone to death with them too.

steveinaz

Gaara wrote: »

Perfect example, digital coax, this should be familiar to you Steve. I chose Belden 1694a the reason for this decision was it was of a sufficient gauge, was very well shielded, had a low capacitance and was the right impedance. This $15 cable meets all the requirements of a good performing digital coax, so I am content with this decision.

It isn't that I don't believe there are difference between cables, I do, but I feel that they are easily measurable. I am sure if you compared the specs of 1694a to that DH Labs you used previously you would find measurable differences which reflect what you are hearing. I am not saying you should use science over your own ears, but you could have found your grail long ago if you paid attention to specs.

Both the DH Labs and Belden are coaxial topolgy, are you suggesting that 2 coaxial cables may have a different sound?

OOOppppps, huh? Just messin with you brotha. I agree, the excellent specs of the Belden are probably directly attributable to it's performance. That's precisely why I gave it a 2nd go....

Like I said before, I'm all over the science/specifications--but I feel it's not the end-all, be-all of what cables do. 12awg OFC stranded is probably scientifically perfect, but I can't stand it's blurred sound in my system--so scientifically it's solid, but subjectively IN MY OPINION, it is not. YMMV.

Gaara

steveinaz wrote: »

Both the DH Labs and Belden are coaxial topolgy, are you suggesting that 2 coaxial cables may have a different sound?

OOOppppps, huh? Just messin with you brotha. I agree, the excellent specs of the Belden are probably directly attributable to it's performance. That's precisely why I gave it a 2nd go....

Like I said before, I'm all over the science/specifications--but I feel it's not the end-all, be-all of what cables do. 12awg OFC stranded is probably scientifically perfect, but I can't stand it's blurred sound in my system--so scientifically it's solid, but subjectively IN MY OPINION, it is not. YMMV.

IMO similarly specd cables that are properly constructed sound the same. My opinion is based on logic (burden of proof), science, and personal experience. I don't knock anyone though, if you can hear a difference cool, I am happy the best sounding coax turned out to be the cheapest.

I do find it interesting though that even though I use science over sound as a basis for my decision and you seem to use sound over science, we end up with similar results. My speaker wire for my main system is VH Audio Chela. It is made using 24prs of 24gauge high purity copper wire that is individually insulated and uses a dielectric similar to teflon. This and it's helic geometry cause to it have a low inductance but high capacitance, similar in design and specs to your Kimber 8TC.

Face wrote: »

I'll let you know next time I invite some Polkies over, so we can show you the light.

I would love to have my opinion changed. If I were to be able to consistently hear differences between speaker wire / digital cables / analog interconnects that were properly constructed it would be worth the trip.

To this date I haven't been able to do so. Most recently I compared some 1505F, like the cables I stole from you, to Kimber Heroes and was able to hear decent differences. When I did the same testing blind the differences disappeared.

steveinaz

I believe that digital interfaces require much tighter spec'd cables, because they are impedance sensitive connections. Unbalanced analog is totally different--hell you can use any wire/topology in unbalanced connections and it will work. I think this explains why it's typically easier to hear differences in analog IC's than it is digital. They are all over the map with impedance, capacitance, materials, etc. I've had analog IC's that would not work with my DAC, it would lose it's lock on the signal. This was my main reason for trying the Belden again, I knew it's specs were good and it should work well if I didn't have a problem elsewhere. Being just $19.95 was icing on the cake.

jakelm

steveinaz wrote: »

I've had analog IC's that would not work with my DAC, it would lose it's lock on the signal. .

Steve I did a test one night on just that. Running ~4', every cable in my house, from cheap box cable to my more expensive cable worked just fine for DAC. Even that cheap orange cable that came with the player worked fine. This is a first I hear of a cbale loosing "lock" on a digital signal. Unless you were running it a very long distance.



But anyways....back to speaker wire.

steveinaz

It was an Audioquest Sidewinder.