The cable vote: humour me.

[admin_exported]

I confess that I am surprised that the subject of cables prompts such strong debate, so have a question. But a request first, as I really don't want this to cause the exchange of heated views, so let's show Mr Everard that we can behave. If it strays, I apologise in advance to the mods and would welcome the thread being locked or offending posts being moderated.

All I want to know is how widely held the different views are, so if you want to take part, could I ask that you just indicate which of the four options most closely accords with your views/experiences?

Your options are:

1) Every cable has a distinct sonic/optical signature.
2) There are perceptible differences between some cables, and the differences can be quite marked.
3) There are perceptible differences between some cables, but the differences are small.
4) All cables are the same, and there are no audible or visible differences.

Thanks!

I'll start with a 2.

 

[The_Lhc]

5) No idea, I haven't looked into it.

 

[Andrew Everard]

6) Thanks. I was getting a bit bored and wondering what to do – keeping an eye on this should do very nicely...

 

[chebby]

5) What he said.

 

[noogle]

There isn't a category for this, but I think analogue cables can make a difference but digital cables don't really matter.

 

[laserman16]

There isn't a category for this, but I think analogue cables can make a difference but digital cables don't really matter.

7) Now your complicating things.

 

[Paul.]

Who wants to play thread lock sweepstake? I recon 15 posts

 

[hammill]

I'm a 7

 

[Ravey Gravey Davy]

You have already upset the digital brigade by missing out the zero.

I am a 5/. (at the moment)

 

[Anonymous]

I'll keep to the original post:

3) There are perceptible differences between some cables, but the differences are small.

But I would also add that in changing components with the fairly expensive kit I've got, all differences are now fairly small and you need really revealing kit to hear them!!

 

[Olli1324]

I'd go somewhere between 1 and 3.

I think a well built cable should be good enough for most. I'm a massive proponent for DIY so I tend to build my own cables using good quality wire and decent connectors (not boutique, just good mechanical design and good construction materials). Gives me the best of both sides of the cable debate.

 

[f1only]

I am a 5/. (at the moment)

Is that 25p in new money?

 

[Anonymous]

I'm going for somewhere in-between 2 & 3 folks ( otherwise I've wasted a fortune).

 

[Big Chris]

In my albeit limited experience. I'm a '2'.

 

[CnoEvil]

My experience has led me to the following (personal) conclusions:

1) To a degree. Some makes appear to have more of a house sound eg. Cardas vs Nordost

2) Yes, especially with different conductor materials ie Solid Silver vs Copper vs Silver coated Copper and the way they're constructed (solid/stranded etc); even the dielectric has an effect. There was a marked difference between Atlas Mavros (copper) vs Asimi (silver).

3) To what extent this happens, depends on how revealing the system is. Sometimes on very expensive systems, a £1k cable can be the cheapest upgrade you can make.

4) I've also come across cables where the difference was negligable, so hard to make hard and fast rules.

Power cables are tricky, I have heard worthwhile improvements, to none at all. It seems both location and equipment dependent.

Digital cables are trickier still. I have heard a difference, but it was a £12 cable vs £200 one, and the gain wasn't worth it.

Cno

 

[Anonymous]

6) Thanks. I was getting a bit bored and wondering what to do – keeping an eye on this should do very nicely...

Hey, civility prevails. If it heads south from here, I apologise.

Thanks for the opinions so far.

 

[John Duncan]

2) and 3) need to be reworded as they are not mutually exclusive.

 

[Messiah]

In my experience I have noticed quite a marked difference between speaker cables but little (if any) difference between signal cables be-it analogue or digital.

So I am kind of 2 for speaker cable and 3 for the rest.

 

[Petherick]

I'm a 2, too.

 

[CnoEvil]

Who wants to play thread lock sweepstake? I recon 15 posts

Where's Max when you need him!

 

[True Blue]

Between a 1 and 2

If you cant tell the difference between a Chord Chameleon and Chord Crimson you need your ears syringing.

 

[simonlewis]

Who wants to play thread lock sweepstake? I recon 15 posts

Where's Max when you need him!

He got himself banned again.

 

[bigboss]

Depends on which cables you're talking about.

1) HDMI cables: no difference

2) Power cables: no difference

3) Speaker cables: no personal experience

 

[CnoEvil]

Who wants to play thread lock sweepstake? I recon 15 posts

Where's Max when you need him!

He got himself banned again.

Thx for the update - it's hard to keep up at times.

 

[Paul.]

Who wants to play thread lock sweepstake? I recon 15 posts

Where's Max when you need him!

I lost,and Im only playing against myself!