Would you abandon your expensive cables if there was a much cheaper alternative?

[hifinutt]

Had a friend here yesterday listening to the system . He was rather blown away by it as i am . It uses 2.5 van damme studio speaker cable which cost approx 23 pounds excluding the wbt connectors . I dont think you have to have expensive cable for marvellous sound . I notice that in The UK many forums are mainly cable sceptic which is different to USA i think

 

[Joseph R.]

I assume “cable sceptic” translates to “cable skeptic” in USA lingo. Not being derogatory in any way, just clarifying. I would have preferred being a cable skeptic, as it would have saved me thousands of dollars. But I think any dyed-in-the-wool audiophile recognizes how contributory cables are to any audio system. Whereas I don’t believe cables must be expensive to be good, I wish I could afford the really expensive stuff. I find it intriguing as to where the “high price spread” could take a system. I guess that's why I keep purchasing cables. As soon as I hear something amiss I assume a new cable could rectify it. In most cases I can find a “better fit”.

 

[Kingrex]

This question irritates me. At it's core it tries to say, inexpensive cables sound as good as expensive. Or so I read. Such an incorrect statement on all levels. Many others have correctly noted cables are system dependent. More correct IMO is there are sleeper cables that are good value and sound.

The real question everyone wants to know is how do I find the lowest price best quality cable (sleepers) that works well in my system. Thats the question. The answer to the OP question is Of Course. If 2 cables where indistinguishable from each other in all parameters and one was a factor more expensive than the other, well then of course you would buy the less expensive cable. And the bigger problem to my point is how do you ever get your hands on all those cables to try in your own system. And, do you have time. Yes the cable company lets you try and buy what they have.

 

[Jim Smith]

This question irritates me. At it's core it tries to say, inexpensive cables sound as good as expensive. Or so I read. Such an incorrect statement on all levels.

Agreed. Some inexpensive cables are not as good as some more expensive cables. They are better.

But it's always system dependent, IMO.

 

[Kingrex]

I disagree Jim. I've listened to enough Western Electric as speaker and interconnects and Duelund as Speaker cables. They're a decent cable for the money. But the sleeper cables I refer to by well-known companies that do cost more money, in the end walk all over the Western Electric and Duelund. They're are a lot better.

There is a level of system dependency. My take is it the duelund and Western Electric tin coated wire is a good entry-level wire that's going to suit a guy with a thousand to $5,000 stereo just fine. But a guy with a $30,000 system is going to hear a difference when he puts in a cable that really shines from a quality manufacturer that is of a reasonable price. In my opinion the gray area is between those sleeper cables and the $5,000 to $10,000 to $15,000 cables.

By the way, who uses tin for interconnects, speaker, or power cables from any reputable company. I don't think any do. I believe the whole purpose of tin is to reduce oxidization on cloth coated conductor. But my understanding is tin has a sound. I also believe most people say our objective in creating good audio is to eliminate all sounds and just pass a clean signal.

 

[Jim Smith]

I disagree Jim.

As I disagree with you - having made countless comparisons.

I tend to think the system - especially the speakers & their efficiency - matter more in this case.

However, I am not one who listens for technically correct sound aspects - the sound is only of interest to me if I am transported into the music, becoming greatly involved in it's emotional impact. I use these same standards when voicing systems, for better or worse.

For me at least, Dynamics, Presence, & Tone are the primary producers of musical engagement. And I have found that the various Duelund interconnects & speaker cables do that. It's not about price at all - again, for me.

But I still think it is system and - for that matter - personal taste - dependent...

 

[Kingrex]

Ok, true. I have owned 3 sets of WE speaker cable, 1 WE interconnect and 1 Duelund speaker cable, so I don't have much experience.

I also don't disagree with anything else you said in regards to the cables providing you it pleasing musical experience.

 

[Elberoth]

I disagree Jim. I've listened to enough Western Electric as speaker and interconnects and Duelund as Speaker cables. They're a decent cable for the money. But the sleeper cables I refer to by well-known companies that do cost more money, in the end walk all over the Western Electric and Duelund. They're are a lot better.

There is a level of system dependency. My take is it the duelund and Western Electric tin coated wire is a good entry-level wire that's going to suit a guy with a thousand to $5,000 stereo just fine. But a guy with a $30,000 system is going to hear a difference when he puts in a cable that really shines from a quality manufacturer that is of a reasonable price. In my opinion the gray area is between those sleeper cables and the $5,000 to $10,000 to $15,000 cables.

By the way, who uses tin for interconnects, speaker, or power cables from any reputable company. I don't think any do. I believe the whole purpose of tin is to reduce oxidization on cloth coated conductor. But my understanding is tin has a sound. I also believe most people say our objective in creating good audio is to eliminate all sounds and just pass a clean signal.

I wouldn't say that better myself. I own WE16GA and Duelund equivalent. I keep them as sometimes they are handy when testing various setups. They are dirt cheap, so why not. GREAT cables ... for the money.

But then again - there are lots of great cheap cables on the market. Tara Labs Apollo entry line is outstanding for example. Most people interested in $10k don't even realise how much performance can be had for this little money nowadays.

 

[kzhtoo]

...a guy with a $30,000 system is going to hear a difference when he puts in a cable that really shines from a quality manufacturer that is of a reasonable price.

Yep. And a guy with a good power foundation.

 

[nicoff]

.....

In my opinion the gray area is between those sleeper cables and the $5,000 to $10,000 to $15,000 cables.

By the way, who uses tin for interconnects, speaker, or power cables from any reputable company. I don't think any do. I believe the whole purpose of tin is to reduce oxidization on cloth coated conductor. But my understanding is tin has a sound. I also believe most people say our objective in creating good audio is to eliminate all sounds and just pass a clean signal.

I am perfectly happy using cheap Duelund speaker cables in a system that meets your criteria for being able to show off what those expensive cables can do and quite frankly I don't feel that I am missing anything. I am with Jim Smith on this one.

 

[Elberoth]

Those tinned copper cables certainly have their own flavor (both Duelund and WE sound quite similar). Not the most resolving cables around, but they do get the tone right.

 

[Spock]

Some inexpensive cables are not as good as some more expensive cables. They are better.

Because geometry counts a lot, I believe that, looking for the best solution and the ultimate discovery, sometimes things get complicated and the end result turns out to be worse.

I suspect the two extremes: very expensive and very cheap cables.

For me, no cheap cable can be a good cable because even when I use a cheap conductor and put 2 layers of shielding on it, and then I connect a few good terminals, it is not that cheap anymore.

A long time ago a friend of mine says that Belden cables provides all an high end audio system needs. So I try a Belden interconnect. And thought to myself: this is not a cable for those who live searching for the best audio playback. When he asked me what I found I said to him, yes, yes they are very good! :snicker:

…But my understanding is tin has a sound. I also believe most people say our objective in creating good audio is to eliminate all sounds and just pass a clean signal.

And I don't like tinned cables either. I think they change the tone.

 

[jadedavid]

FYI. Viablue, a German Mfg of cables and connectors, uses different metals in their cables to obtain various results.
Their top end speaker cables (from the website) use a blend of three different metals. Silver for the highs, Tinned copper for the mids and bare solid copper for the lows.
I find many cables get a lot of the tone and dynamics right.
However what they are missing is the soundstaging, dimensionality, imaging and other aspects that could additionally bring me closer to being transported to a musical venue.
I have found cables to be VERY system dependent.
YMMV

 

[BlueFox]

Not sure what ‘expensive’ means, but if I were looking for new cables, and there was a cable at a lower price that sounded better than my current cable, then the answer is yes.

 

[UltraFast69]

At RMAF, all the top tier systems I liked, and considered shop stoppers were connected using Nordost and this was the first time where I could equate that the cables do leave a signature as it was evident not only between the exhibitors but also in my sound as well.

I like my system very much and while I believe the cables are over the top expensive, actually stupid expensive, I have no regrets.

You would have to do an in-house demo to convince me to make a change.


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[Kingrex]

That price list of cables you sent in your show report is at least three times the cost of my entire system. I like most of the cables in my system so in essence you could say I'm using a less expensive alternative cable that works well for me. I have about $7k total in cabling including my custom power strip and OFC cord from the panel to my rack.

Ed, its time to install your dedicated power feed.

 

[UltraFast69]

That price list of cables you sent in your show report is at least three times the cost of my entire system. I like most of the cables in my system so in essence you could say I'm using a less expensive alternative cable that works well for me. I have about $7k total in cabling including my custom power strip and OFC cord from the panel to my rack.

Ed, its time to install your dedicated power feed.

You mean this list? Pocket change [emoji851]

Rex, you mean additional dedicated lines, 10 Gauge OFC [emoji851]


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[brad225]

UF69 quote "Pocket Change"

If it is pocket change, I hope you wear industrial suspenders. If not your pants will be at your ankles.

 

[UltraFast69]

UF69 quote "Pocket Change"

If it is pocket change, I hope you wear industrial suspenders. If not your pants will be at your ankles.

Totally sarcastic!

But also know not everyone can drive a Rolls Royce, or for that matter prefer to, in the end it’s all subjective to ones desire.


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[Kingrex]

Ultrafast keeps a fistful of gold coins just for impulse purchases.