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I think everyone goes through this insanity. That said, I think there are places where it makes sense. Recently I swapped out a stock HDMI cable for a DH labs HDMI cable and the results were astounding! Even my wife noted how much of an impact it had.
Seriously? How does that work, cleaner 1s and Os? My understanding about HDMI cables is they either work or they don't, no in between. I doubt it would hold up to a DBT.
There is improvement that we hear and can explain, and there is improvement that we hear and can't explain. But both are worthwhile if you are hunting for the best sound. More and more I find myself posting things along the lines of "audition and hear for yourself whether there is what you consider to be a worthwhile difference." In many cases you will only be out the cost of postage.
There is also that which you can't hear but believe you do. That's the problem with auditioning.
I can see where analog cables could possibly make a difference, although I think there are better places to spend money if you are looking for improvements. I don't see how different HDMI cables can make a difference, the engineer in me just doesn't think there's any scientific basis in it. There can be differences in aesthetics, build quality and durability. Then there's pride of ownership. I suppose if you think there's an improvement, even if it's a placebo effect, it can be real to an individual person. I understand how people with 10k speakers and expensive electronics wouldn't want to put a $3 monoprice HDMI cable in their system, that's their perogative.
I've done 3 stages of cabling changes, from bluejeans to zu to higher end stuff. there is a difference. I'll be the first to admit when I have wasted money or something is crap.I found the following order of best bang for the buck:phonointerconnectsspeaker/powerlike someone else mentioned though, room treatments will offer far more improvements than all of the above combined.
I don't see how power cords can make any difference though. You're still dealing with all of that wire from the power station to the socket. AC is then converted to DC by the power supply anyway.
I have no idea, but I'm no electrical engineer. I'm only using cheapo shunyata venom 3's too and there is a difference from stock. there is a blacker background. you could use the same argument for speaker cables though. Selah (maybe Salk too?) use cheapo internal wiring. so how do speaker cables between the amp and binding posts make a difference when the "last mile" is stuff from home depot or wherever?
Selah (maybe Salk too?) use cheapo internal wiring.
I think it has to do with how the local service transformer sees your house. It's a known fact that current will take the easiest path. Your house and even your stereo are all in competition with the entire neighborhood on power consumption. You are basically fighting for power from your neighbors fridges,stoves etc.Does it not make sense then if you want to up your stiffness or power then lower the entire house impedance. This is what I think power cables do. They lower the impedance that the local service sees. You can even take it one step further by employing larger power cables on everything in your house along with hospital grade outlets. This will lower the impedance of the entire home which will in the end benefit your stereo.
I could see how a power conditioner could make a difference and it may then make sense to use an upgraded cord from the conditioner to the equipment.
I hope this is not the case with the Salks. But, it would be interesting to know what is used here. I remember reading somewhere that the internal wiring is a good quality 14AWG silver coated copper wire.. But, someone can confirm.