The Good vs. Bad cable debate rages on...

KASR

http://hometheaterreview.com/cable-non-believers-are-missing-out-on-a-religious-av-experience/

concealer404

Hooooo boy.

Guess i have to read this when i get home.

thsmith

MITs and Tubes Rule !

Face

Special K?

vc69

KASR,

This is pretty much troll-bait on this forum. Those of us that are believers, do so with conviction and purpose. Those that do not believe seem intent (single minded even) on convincing those of us that do that we are somehow misguided.

We'll see how this thread unfolds....

KASR

vc69 wrote: »

KASR,
This is pretty much troll-bait on this forum.

That statement kinda puzzles me - for the most part, I've observed a tight-knit, overly protective (bordering on hostile) group here - but nothing that would invite a troll-fest...atleast not with that particular story. Of course, that's based on the 1-week I've been here, so I'll have to take your word for it.

With that said, I will add that hometheaterreview does "seem" to like to write stories that boost up their sponsors (who doesn't do that, though - right?) I have a friend who has their printed subscription and it's the same vendor ad every few pages --- while this articles doesn't straight out say: "Buy Monster Cables", they did reference them and it certainly didn't say: "Don't buy Monster Cables."
Again, just making observations.

steveinaz

There's no debate, I'll spend my money the way I see fit, and the non-believers should do the same. Problem solved.

vc69

They were actually hawking Transparent cables...which I happen to use btw.;)

TECHNOKID

Face wrote: »

Special K?

Hey KASR, reading your post title was somewhat scary as I tought you were going the slippy road and would again awake the fury of the CP gods but reading the article actually puts the gods on your side... Special K, right God on you

Cheers!
TK

KASR

steveinaz wrote: »

There's no debate, I'll spend my money the way I see fit, and the non-believers should do the same. Problem solved.

Heh...I think that POV could be applied to almost anything....home A/V or not. Bravo!

steveinaz

PRECISELY my good man.

I never understood the cable debate---do what you want, piss on anyone elses opinion of it.

KASR

TECHNOKID wrote: »

Hey KASR, reading your post title was somewhat scary as I tought you were going the slippy road and would again awake the fury of the CP gods but reading the article actually puts the gods on your side... Special K, right God on you

Cheers!
TK

Thank the CP Gods.....crucified twice in one week is hell on the wrists!

concealer404

Oh dear... i think i'm responsible for the other one.

KASR

concealer404 wrote: »

Oh dear... i think i'm responsible for the other one.

LOL! No worries...I heard human sacrifices appease you!

concealer404

KASR wrote: »

LOL! No worries...I heard human sacrifices appease you!

Go buy some cables.

steveinaz

I think it's an interesting topic of discussion, but people are so polarized about it that it's difficult to keep it civil.

Some people are content with what is known, others want to know why. I could no more run a $5000 integrated amp with 99 cent IC's than I could run $29 bias-ply tires on a new corvette.

KASR

steveinaz wrote: »

I think it's an interesting topic of discussion, but people are so polarized about it that it's difficult to keep it civil.

Some people are content with what is known, others want to know why. I could no more run a $5000 integrated amp with 99 cent IC's than I could run $29 bias-ply tires on a new corvette.

And that polarization has always been fascinating to me - I think in the end, someone doesn't want to be made to feel stupid for sinking large amounts of money into something that "may" or "may not" make a difference/noticeable impact. If you bought the cable, be happy...whatever happened to sticking to your guns! LOL!

steveinaz

Another problem crops up when you talk about the systems resolution capabilities; let's face it, if you roll with a boombox you're probably better off going the economy route. You're just not going to be able to hear a difference.....in ANYTHING. If you running limited bandwidth bookshelf speakers, you're likely not hearing anything below 50Hz. These are some of the varibles that can affect your ability to hear differences.

Example, I began to tell my buddy about the new Beatles remasters....then I hesitated...I thought "I have seen his stereo, nevermind." I knew that if I talked him into replacing his Beatles library with these new releases, hell, he'd never hear any differences, and the next day he'd be looking at me like I was crazy.

Again, the resolution isn't there.

Here's a comment that may piss some people off, but it's the truth as far as I'm concerned. If I had an AVR in my main rig, I wouldn't drop a dime past $35 on a set of IC's, and about $200 would be my max on speaker cable. NOTE: I said If I.

The resolution isn't there to warrant the expense of any better cabling. Now that's just MY opinion, and my self-imposed limits. IMO, I would be unrealistic and foolish to pluck down more than that given the system.

Same with my actual system, my Hero's and 8TC's are about as expensive as I will go, given the level of the rest of my system. My system in no way warrants $1000 IC's.

Toxis

I've been thinking this way ever since I did some Pepsi challenge myself with multiple cables. RCAs make a difference but speaker wires are where the largest change comes into play. Kinda goes with the weakest link theory though...

NJPOLKER

I have put together a Christmas list for myself which includes $550. for two pair of new MIT S3 IC's. I love myself at Christmas.
I'll post pictures in a new thread once I get them. Most importantly I'll post my listening impressions too.

vc69

steveinaz wrote: »

Another problem crops up when you talk about the systems resolution capabilities; let's face it, if you roll with a boombox you're probably better off going the economy route.

<snip>

Again, the resolution isn't there.

Precisely.

However, I have some fairly mid-fi stuff and quite honestly feel that good cables are a huge benefit.

KASR

steveinaz wrote: »

Another problem crops up when you talk about the systems resolution capabilities; let's face it, if you roll with a boombox you're probably better off going the economy route. You're just not going to be able to hear a difference.....in ANYTHING. If you running limited bandwidth bookshelf speakers, you're likely not hearing anything below 50Hz. These are some of the varibles that can affect your ability to hear differences.

Example, I began to tell my buddy about the new Beatles remasters....then I hesitated...I thought "I have seen his stereo, nevermind." I knew that if I talked him into replacing his Beatles library with these new releases, hell, he'd never hear any differences, and the next day he'd be looking at me like I was crazy.

Again, the resolution isn't there.

Quoted for truth and wisdom.

concealer404

vc69 wrote: »

Precisely.

However, I have some fairly mid-fi stuff and quite honestly feel that good cables are a huge benefit.

With ya. I'm sure i'm running something like 30% of the system you are, and comparing RadioShack RCAs to Sidewinders and Scarlet Vipers makes a GIGANTIC difference.

reeltrouble1

whether you are using budget or higer end cable as you build the systems total cable loom one of the most important things you can do is to be consistent, use the same cables throughout and you should hear an improvement, same can be said for your equipment foundations and energy management.

RT1

steveinaz

Cables may make a difference in lower end equipment as well, depending upon the characteristics the cable is emphasizing or de-emphasizing, and the ability of the listener and equipment to capitalize on these characteritics.

I say "may" simply because in my experience, some cables just don't do much differently.

To me, cables are the final "polish" on a system. If the base system isn't satisfying, trying to fix it with cables is just gonna frustrate the hell out of you. IMO, a truly good system will sound good even with the cheapest cables--it just won't sound as good as it could.

vc69

I have a borrowed prototype Cardas 1/2 meter IC between my pre-amp and amp that I don't know if I can give back.
Everything else I try in it's place falls short and I'm spoiled. Maybe once I have a better amp I'll be happy with my Transparent IC but for now, I am in love with the Cardas. I have yet to try some MIT speaker cable. It's on my list.

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

whether you are using budget or higer end cable as you build the systems total cable loom one of the most important things you can do is to be consistent, use the same cables throughout and you should hear an improvement, same can be said for your equipment foundations and energy management.

RT1

I used to think that way, then I started mixing and matching. I may have to go back to my all Transparent set and see if I still feel that way.

I have a mixture of Cardas and Transparent right now.

steveinaz wrote: »

To me, cables are the final "polish" on a system. If the base system isn't satisfying, trying to fix it with cables is just gonna frustrate the hell out of you. IMO, a truly good system will sound good even with the cheapest cables--it just won't sound as good as it could.

True. But gosh how I love trying different cables.

steveinaz

Here's one of my quotes:

"If you're shopping for an Impala, don't test drive the Corvette"

That's why I DON'T WANT TO KNOW what MIT's sound like!

rayslifecycle

Cables don't make a difference!........

hahaha

J/K

C_404 - I just made that switch myself - the RCA to AQ sidewinder interconnects - on my 2ch rig upstairs........that system is on a budget of free, almost free, or gift......the AQs were a hand-me-down (they are pretty old and grungy looking) and they really mellowed out my SDA_CRS+ SL2000 tweeters........the notes played in the bass range were much clearer and more defined as well.......I couldn't believe what a difference they made.

I made a pact with the wife last week - no more cheap $hit - if we can't buy quality - we wait till we can - and then we will be happy and grateful to own whatever it is......I am so tired of the "buy it now/buy it cheap" mentality......

Quality counts!

heiney9

I have a modest office system consisting of a budget tube hybrid integrated, budget dac, home made Canare Star Quad speaker cables using Polk Monitor 5B's modded with RD0's and Clarity caps. I was using a Signal Cable Analog II which was an improvement over the MC M400i's I was originally running. Swapped in an MIT Terminator 3 cable, and BAM!!! different yet. I will also say there was a nice but subtle improvement going from zip chord to Canare on the speaker end.

You can notice improvements on even a modest system, but the key as Steve has stated is not to go overboard. I wouldn't run MIT Shotgun S1's on my office rig even if they improve the sound...............those would cost more than the entire system.

H9

steveinaz

Clark..
Agree. Better to get what you want and cry once, then compromise and cry twice.

steveinaz

H9
Exactly. Can you imagine me running $1400 MIT cables with $850 speakers? Now, once I hit the fiercely competitive $5K/pr speaker range, that's a different story...