What You Should Know About Cables

[James Fee]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/109926.html' target='_blank'>http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/109926.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"To read some of the ill-tutored theories bandied about in some high-end audio publications, you'd think the writers thought little notes danced along the cables to your speakers, subject to degradation and all manner of hazards in their brief transit to the loudspeakers. Indeed, some exotic cable manufacturers claim that their overpriced wire will actually improve the electrical signals!"</i><br /><br />I can tell you how many times I've gotten into arguments at Best Buy or other similar stores with salesmen telling me I should buy Monster Cables. Save youself money and just get the standard cables. Gold plated connectors are a waste of money, I have cables that have been in use for many many years without any buildup. :roll:

[Filip Norrgard]

Gold plated connectors are a waste of money, I have cables that have been in use for many many years without any buildup. :roll:
If you do easily get corroded cabeling, then you should worry about the humidity in your house. Mold might also be just around the corner, if the humidity has been high indoors where as you should get worried... :roll:

[that_kid]

I have a friend who has paid $200 for a 1 foot stereo rca patch cable. He knows NOTHING about audio or electronics yet he will battle me to death over something the "salesman" told him. I then have another friend who now finally listens to me about cables. For him this came about when he went out and brought a $40 coaxial cable for his dvd player. While watching a movie at his house he started getting audio drop outs, he asks me if I've ever had that happen and I told him no. I told him I was using a 10 year old plain jane rca cable and i've never had any problems. The thing that gets me is the voltage these wires are carrying is so small yet people believe that the bigger cables mean they're better.

[Jason Dunn]

Agreed - $100 gold-plated cables don't make any difference. I tend to go for "mid grade" cables - I like cables with thick rubber, especially if it means I can form the cable a bit. It's more an aesthetic preference moreso than something that grants increased signal strength.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

I do go for gold plated connectors. Humidity is high here, and having a couple of cables giving up on me I'm a bit more wary now. The premium isn't much, certainly nothing compared to the $500 per metre price of those monster cables. -_-

Speaking of crazy cables, have you guys seen the equally expensive POWER cables?

[that_kid]

Speaking of crazy cables, have you guys seen the equally expensive POWER cables?

Yup, same guy with the expensive rca cables paid $150 for one, he was told it helped with the "subtle nuances :roll: "

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Hey, that's "cheap" compared to this!

http://www.amusicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=ASYNDR5

[James Fee]

Hey, that's "cheap" compared to this!

http://www.amusicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=ASYNDR5Yikes!

[Filip Norrgard]

Hey, that's "cheap" compared to this!

http://www.amusicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=ASYNDR5
Holy macaroni, what a price! 8O Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy a more superior and better power surge protector from Powerware or APS for the same price? :P

[that_kid]

For that price you could buy a better pre-amp decoder with a better power supply in it 8O .

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Yea, makes you wonder at what kind of ears them audiophiles have. >P