I recently completed a transition from Nordost to Schnerzinger cables. I certainly perceive a positive difference. More tonal density, better foundation to the music, which I expected, but also better imaging and clarity which I didn't. A significant improvement, not transformational or life changing, but significant and worthwhile to me. OTOH, I've tried audiophile switches in my system and perceived no difference at all. That certainly doesn't mean the next person won't have a different perception, and it doesn't mean my system is inferior. Just my perception-who knows why?
There is a whole range of possibilities-from cables, switches, fuses, cable risers, resonators, crystals-and somebody says they all work. While I have my own opinions, if someone perceives an improvement, good for them. I try to refrain from telling people what they hear-or don't-and I don't tell people they would hear exactly what I hear if they had better ears, or better gear. Once that starts-as it almost always does-there is no longer hope for a real discussion. The ASR crowd seems intent on writing off as fools anyone who disagrees with their perception, but that happens on "our" side of the debate as well.
Consider this example-someone with a well sorted system buys a $500 set of cable lifters and proclaims the soundstage increased, imaging is better, etc. The next person, also with a well sorted system, tries the risers and perceives no difference at all. Who is right? Who cares? If someone finds value in a product, the fact that I do not doesn't make them a fool. And the fact that I do not find value in those risers doesn't mean my system sucks or I'm deaf. We can have an interesting, maybe even enlightening discussion about why we perceive these things differently until we declare, as many do, that what we perceive must be universally true for everyone.
Which is too bad because better understanding usually lies outside of iron laws and extreme positions. Happily, we can all buy what works for us.
There is a whole range of possibilities-from cables, switches, fuses, cable risers, resonators, crystals-and somebody says they all work. While I have my own opinions, if someone perceives an improvement, good for them. I try to refrain from telling people what they hear-or don't-and I don't tell people they would hear exactly what I hear if they had better ears, or better gear. Once that starts-as it almost always does-there is no longer hope for a real discussion. The ASR crowd seems intent on writing off as fools anyone who disagrees with their perception, but that happens on "our" side of the debate as well.
Consider this example-someone with a well sorted system buys a $500 set of cable lifters and proclaims the soundstage increased, imaging is better, etc. The next person, also with a well sorted system, tries the risers and perceives no difference at all. Who is right? Who cares? If someone finds value in a product, the fact that I do not doesn't make them a fool. And the fact that I do not find value in those risers doesn't mean my system sucks or I'm deaf. We can have an interesting, maybe even enlightening discussion about why we perceive these things differently until we declare, as many do, that what we perceive must be universally true for everyone.
Which is too bad because better understanding usually lies outside of iron laws and extreme positions. Happily, we can all buy what works for us.
