Best audio cables 2019: best budget to premium interconnects

[What Hi-Fi?]

Upgrading your audio cables is a simple yet very effective way of giving your hi-fi system a boost. Here are our favourites.

Best audio cables 2019: best budget to premium interconnects : Read more

 

[Squall Leonhart]

I would recommend Atlas Element Superior. I have been using it for almost a year and I havent had the urge to upgrade.

 

[MetAlbertR]

Some of the reasons to buy are hilarious:

"Helps tie instruments together", "Helps with detail and timing" and "Spacious, clean soundstage".

I notice you seem to no longer review digital cables. Why is that?

 

[abacus]

Before purchase always do a blind AB test between basic cable and any exotic cable, as I have yet to come across any of these special cables that make any difference to the sound. (A good quality cable should neither add or take anything away, so be wary of anybody that says their cable alters the sound)
If you are really worried, get your cable from a Pro Music Store, (They will be a fraction of the price of these so called super cables) as then you will have the same quality as used in professional film & music production studios, whose equipment makes even Hi-End Hi-Fi sound mundane.

Bill

 

[iMark]

They still write the same audio waffle.

MetAlbertR's remark about digital cables is interesting. Have they finally worked out that there is no difference in digital cables?

 

[F8lee]

I get the sense that "exotic cables" are analogous to "UV filters to protect your front lens element" that camera stores often try to sell to unsuspecting customers.

Basically, it's about the profit margins. Having worked in the photo retail industry years ago, I know that in order to keep competitive with the mail-order houses the profit we would make on a high end camera might amount to being $40. However, if we sold the customer on the idea that "you need a UV filter to protect that precious front element!" we would garner $20 profit out of the $40 sale of the filter.

THe cable thing seems much the same - perhaps retailers cannot get much margin on the big gear that is always comparison shopped by potential customers; but once they decide they like that amp or speaker setup then pushing the "special" cables for "better sound" sounds like much the same strategy.