Cables - one of the most taboo subjects in audio
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MikeH
Well-Known Member
eek. well the 2497 is 3x the price so i'm trying the 2964 hah.
ngower
Well-Known Member
I think that's largely because of the terminations? 5ft of WBC/Mogami 2497 with Eminence connectors is $140 on Amazon.
A pair of 5ft 2497 with Amphenol is half that at Performance:
MikeH
Well-Known Member
seems crazy that the connectors add $90! i got a pair of the 6 foot 2964 mogami with amphenol connections for $50 shipped with tax on amazon...
ngower
Well-Known Member
I use those as both interconnects and phono cables. I haven't heard a difference. They are about the same cap as my LC-1 (slightly higher) but WAY more flexible.
I do want to try out the 2497s as they are purpose-built for hifi interconnects (as are the W3103/3104 for speaker cables) but I also don't need to set money on fire on cables.
MikeH
Well-Known Member
slippery slope for sure. i try not to buy new cables unless i need longer runs or get new gear.
ngower
Well-Known Member
Basically where I'm at as well. I want to replace some cables in my HT setup (too short) but am in no rush because it all works. I'm unlikely to make any big hi-fi buys this year (inb4Luxman) but will probably spend some time on cables/cable management.
Also, looked into the Eminence connectors and they're $20 vs $3 for the Amphenol, so there's probably that and some compensation for Amazon fees driving the WBC up.
Nee Lewman
बैस्टर्ड
I’m not spending decent money on cables till I think I’m done. I really want a phono, a cassette deck (this will necessitate some port solution, likely a passive pre) and a TT & speaker upgrade. Whether or not that happens 
ngower
Well-Known Member
Until someone can objectively tell me that cables make a (substantive) difference in sound quality, I will always just go for the best "cheap" cables. Maybe there is some greater performance to be had but I just simply do not buy into it because the arguments almost always boil down to, "I definitely heard a difference, I think"I’m not spending decent money on cables till I think I’m done. I really want a phono, a cassette deck (this will necessitate some port solution, likely a passive pre) and a TT & speaker upgrade. Whether or not that happens
Nee Lewman
बैस्टर्ड
I mean I’m below best cheap cables (not quite true with speaker cables). I’m running Amazon basic interconnects and have ELAC sensible cables for my speakers.
ngower
Well-Known Member
I trust BJC (and now WBC) to make cables that won't fall apart (COUGH COUGH AUDIOQUEST). Beyond that, if I hear any more bullshit about transients and air, I may build my own murder dungeon.
displayname
Well-Known Member
I'm the opposite. I want try as many cables as I can, and when they make a difference I want to buy them. In my experience, so do, some don't. I try to go used to minimize the financial losses. But I've been surprised how much more I've been able to get out of existing gear, and upgrading cables is a lot cheaper than upgrading primary gear pieces.
Don't let anyone tell you anything. Just try it whenever possible and let your own ears be the judge. Period.
When people (including myself) can't hear a difference, I just say "great, you just saved a pile of cash."
And spending more doesn't always mean more. I wrote about this elsewhere, but I recently tested some power cable changes on my TT along side with some interconnect and speaker cable changes. Much to my surprise and somewhat annoyance, the power cable upgrade on my TT motor made a significant difference. I don't know why it works, but I tested it several times over several months. The speaker and IC cables tested were MUCH more expensive (Crystal Clear Opus 2), and made a pretty minimal impact in my system. Significantly less than the TT power cable change.
I was glad to save the money on the speaker cables, and went ahead and invested in the new power cable. Could this change when I upgrade core component like my amp or my sources - absolutely. But for now, I know that wasn't the best use of my funds based on MY very clear experience.
MikeH
Well-Known Member
tbh, i can't be bothered to test out tons of cables. i don't have any interest in buying and reselling cables and not sure my ears are good enough to recognize those kinds of improvements. i also have no interest in room treatments. both of my systems are in weirdly shaped rooms with lots of windows, etc. i'd much rather save up for a new amp or something that I think may have more bang for the buck of an upgrade. completely get that others have different priorities, or enjoy different aspects to the hobby. At a certain point I feel like I'm chasing the dragon with gear/cables/etc and then it no longer becomes fun or about the music for me. so I just grab a new cable if I need a longer run or get a new piece of equipment and wanna swap out a stock cable.
but also...what power cable did you end up with for the TT?
SnowmaNick
Well-Known Member
It may be OCD on my part, but if you’re replacing one I’d replace the pair so they have the same capacitance. Especially if you run a MM cart.I need to replace the phono cable on my Dual 505. Unfortunately the plug broke off
Is this phono cable essentially just an RCA cable? I know how to solder and have a soldering iron. My question is then if I can just buy a good quality RCA cable and solder it at the turntable and remove the old one, or if I need a special phono cable.
(Sorry if I missed something).
displayname
Well-Known Member
To be honest, I wouldn't say a test a ton, and I certainly don't spend a ton of time buying and reselling. This has been the best part of meeting people locally in audio. Borrow other stuff. When others buy something, join them when they test old/new in the system. Go to shows or dealer events where they do switches (this is where you might find yourself the most unimpressed). It's been fun, and saved me literally thousands.
This I 1000% understand. You'll notice I haven't actually changed any of my components or speakers in over 4 years. Cable here, cable there. Maybe 1-2 changes per year. It needs to be something I know I want, fall when I have funds, and 75% of the time needs to be used.
I did take a detour with headphones and guitar gear this past year though
I did my testing just moving the AQ Hurricane from my dac to my TT. It was very convincing, but the price of even a used hurricane felt too steep for that application, so I have an AQ Thunder on the way. If it's a massive less down, I feel confident I could move it for the price that I paid for it and wait till a Hurricane comes up. But I feel pretty confident it will get the job done.but also...what power cable did you end up with for the TT?
Mather
Unknown Member
The one thing I've learned is with my rig stay the hell away from silver cables. Same goes for my IEMs. Silver no bueno, WAY too much high end tinniness.To be honest, I wouldn't say a test a ton, and I certainly don't spend a ton of time buying and reselling. This has been the best part of meeting people locally in audio. Borrow other stuff. When others buy something, join them when they test old/new in the system. Go to shows or dealer events where they do switches (this is where you might find yourself the most unimpressed). It's been fun, and saved me literally thousands.
This I 1000% understand. You'll notice I haven't actually changed any of my components or speakers in over 4 years. Cable here, cable there. Maybe 1-2 changes per year. It needs to be something I know I want, fall when I have funds, and 75% of the time needs to be used.
I did take a detour with headphones and guitar gear this past year though
I did my testing just moving the AQ Hurricane from my dac to my TT. It was very convincing, but the price of even a used hurricane felt too steep for that application, so I have an AQ Thunder on the way. If it's a massive less down, I feel confident I could move it for the price that I paid for it and wait till a Hurricane comes up. But I feel pretty confident it will get the job done.
displayname
Well-Known Member
I have heard a select few that I like, but I generally feel the same way.
spydrwebb44
Member
I use Analysis Plus cables, mainly because they're a local family nearby and a cottage effort that I want to see succeed.
I have no idea if their products make things "better" but they're incredibly friendly and not far down the road, and that works for me.
There definitely is a "proceed with caution" disclaimer that's often necessary when it comes to this topic.
However, I've never felt pressured into a decision by the AP team to upgrade to any of their products.
It's honestly more their lack of pressure that made them appealing, as well as being available to troubleshoot and have direct dialogue when needed/desired.
I have no idea if their products make things "better" but they're incredibly friendly and not far down the road, and that works for me.
There definitely is a "proceed with caution" disclaimer that's often necessary when it comes to this topic.
However, I've never felt pressured into a decision by the AP team to upgrade to any of their products.
It's honestly more their lack of pressure that made them appealing, as well as being available to troubleshoot and have direct dialogue when needed/desired.
displayname
Well-Known Member
You are lucky to have a well regarded brand so close!
MikeH
Well-Known Member
It's nice you have a community like that locally! I don't know a single person near me that has any kind of decent audio setup where I could do that kind of testing, trade cables, etc. Probably for the best to be honest haha. There isn't even a decent hi-fi shop as far as I know less than an hour or hour and a half away. Any kind of cable testing would mean I'd have to buy them and hope I can return them or re-sell them.To be honest, I wouldn't say a test a ton, and I certainly don't spend a ton of time buying and reselling. This has been the best part of meeting people locally in audio. Borrow other stuff. When others buy something, join them when they test old/new in the system. Go to shows or dealer events where they do switches (this is where you might find yourself the most unimpressed). It's been fun, and saved me literally thousands.
This I 1000% understand. You'll notice I haven't actually changed any of my components or speakers in over 4 years. Cable here, cable there. Maybe 1-2 changes per year. It needs to be something I know I want, fall when I have funds, and 75% of the time needs to be used.
I did take a detour with headphones and guitar gear this past year though
I did my testing just moving the AQ Hurricane from my dac to my TT. It was very convincing, but the price of even a used hurricane felt too steep for that application, so I have an AQ Thunder on the way. If it's a massive less down, I feel confident I could move it for the price that I paid for it and wait till a Hurricane comes up. But I feel pretty confident it will get the job done.
My power situation is also less than ideal. House is from 1870. Wiring is all over the place in terms of outlets being on random circuits. My office on the 2nd floor is on the same circuit as the some outlets/lights in the kitchen beneath me haha. I need to make time at some point to properly label the breaker box and figure out what's on which circuits. Eventually wanna get an electrician in to put a new breaker box and maybe run some new wiring to my office and living room setup to put them on their own circuit....long term dreams haha.
Was thinking today how much I've been enjoying my office setup after switching around a few pieces. Liking the Khozmo a lot and paired with the fosi monoblocks and sutherland insight has made for a nice office setup. Kinki for my main rig and maybe swapping DACs will be next big moves for me!