What determines cable synergy? Is it Predictable or Experiential?
- Thread starter caesar
- Start date
Caesar, the ONLY way that i know of to be sure that any component ( including cables) is suitable for one's system is to try it in the system. Everything else is a crap shoot, IMO.
I have always stuck with the same cable brand. I always pick the cable that gives me the widest soundstage. After that AB the others,the poorer ones usually stick out like a sore thumb.
Cables in source stage like tone-arm cable or from tape head will give much bigger difference in change, but not too many people can do the change by themselves unless a DIYER
Bruce B
WBF Founding Member, Pro Audio Production Member
I know Wilson uses Transparent so I tried a full system of Opus MM2 cables. The minute I replaced them with my original cable (JPS Aluminata), I knew I didn't like them. Everything seemed attenuated and rolled off with Transparent. I really wanted to like them. I know several people speak highly of them and I trust their ears. Like DavyF said, putting them in your system and living with them for about a month is the only way to choose what is best for you.
Caesar, a good example of a synergy is this cable I use with my RTR's for long runs. How did I know this cable would match up with my NBS..I didn't,but they did very well. You can look at the specs and design detail,but until you actually put them in and listen,that's truly the only way. Although I did think the Gepco design was superior to most others. I tested Gothams cable and that cable sounded very compressed in comparison,even though many use it.
http://www.redco.com/Gepco-XB201DBM.html
http://www.redco.com/Gotham-GAC-4.html
http://www.redco.com/Gepco-XB201DBM.html
http://www.redco.com/Gotham-GAC-4.html
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A solid technical system doesnt need expensive cables in my opinion its only trying to juice the system to the owners tastes based on vague technologies.
Its not a audiophile friendly opinion i know
Its not a audiophile friendly opinion i know
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A solid technical system doesnt need expensive cables in my opinion its only trying to juice the system to the owners tastes based on vague technologies.
Its not a audiofile friendly opinion i know
I agree. I still think a good core system of cables is needed ie speaker,source,preamp,amp,but after that I don't spend big money on cables anymore. The total distortion level of the system is by far, will be the largest factor in the quality of the sound.
A good experiment for me is to add a pair of NBS Statement Ic's to my MR70 preamp. Will it make a noticeable difference? will report back in 3 to 4 weeks.
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Are you asking this question with a straight face? If you can predict what numbers are going to come up in this week's Powerball drawing, than I think you can predict synergy with any cable in any system. If you can't predict Powerball numbers before the drawing, then I think you actually need to try cables in your system to see if they 'work' or not.
A solid technical system doesnt need expensive cables in my opinion its only trying to juice the system to the owners tastes based on vague technologies.
Its not a audiophile friendly opinion i know
Please point me a solid technical system that does not improve with a pair of well chosen reasonably expensive cables (the reasonably should rule out using a cable costing more than the speaker). Surely DIY systems excluded.
Its useless to discus , i have a rule that i ll only state my opinion once a year in a cable topic , this was it for 2013
Call the Cable Company and they will tell you that if you like Wilson, they recommend Transparent, Nola with Nordost, MBL with Tara Labs or Wireworld, etc. You seem to suggest that a cable designer just sits down and plays around, and the results just happen via pure luck. And that may be the case. Or could it also be that the design choice more deliberate?
The Cable Company has a data base that was built on the experience of users to get an idea of what cables work with what combinations of gear in a given price range. You call up the Cable Company and tell them what gear you have and then they make 3-4 recommendations for your system and ship you all of the cables to listen to. You then listen to them in your system and make up your own mind and hopefully you buy a set of the cables you liked from the Cable Company. It's a great company and a great service. But that's not the question you asked to start this thread off. You asked a crystal ball question.
I think that based upon thirty years of listening to a variety of systems, it is necessary to listen with an open mind and not to expect that any particular result will happen based upon numbers. In the vernacular, I have heard zip cord sound wonderful in one application and really expensive premium cable sound awful in another. That is why this hobby is both fun and frustrating in my opinion.
A truly good cable will neither add nor take from the music. If you have such cables, and still don't like what you hear, you should look elsewhere in your system for answers. The rub is in determining what constitutes a good cable.
That's my take on things, anyway.
That's my take on things, anyway.
Somewhat simplistic and maybe obvious but....
It's been my experience over the years that when balanced h/w is in play then balanced cables are a win. Course that's easy to say in one simple sentence. Issues obviously appear on mismatches in cable attenuation with h/w of the opposite ilk.
Price was not always a deciding factor, at least from a sonic perspective.
It's been my experience over the years that when balanced h/w is in play then balanced cables are a win. Course that's easy to say in one simple sentence. Issues obviously appear on mismatches in cable attenuation with h/w of the opposite ilk.
Price was not always a deciding factor, at least from a sonic perspective.
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