High end cabling

[Bigear]

In the search of getting a more and more detailed and realistic sound, each audiophile has gotten in touch with the audio cable industry.
In a demo, they take out some hideous expensive snake thick cable which sounds (much) better then the bell wire they used before.

I felt for this trap long ago and have had numerous upgrades in my cabling. Starting with some, DIY's and noname IC's, I entered the expensive world of Siltech, MIT, NBS and Senzati.  These all produce cables that sound great but IMNO there is no way they can justify their rediculous high prices, even second hand (as I usually buy these).
There is a huge 'snake oil' factor especially in this part of the audio industry.

I was wondering if anyone has found a normal priced alternative that would match the performance of the 'great'.

[music33]

You said they all sound great, so what is the 'snake oil' part.  And since you feel that way, why not just stick with DIY?

In my experience, you have to match the cable to your system and taste in sound, so it is a bit hard to make a recommendation.  Also, as with most very expensive things, as you go up the price ladder the differences become smaller and more subtle.  Some people who want the very best, will pay for it.

My recommendation is get direct lines put in with a high-end receptacle and high grade electrical wire (10 gauge).  Much, much cheaper and made a huge difference for me over any cable I have ever bought!

[Bigear]

You said they all sound great, so what is the 'snake oil' part.  And since you feel that way, why not just stick with DIY?

Hi Music33,

The 'snake oil' part is mostly regarding the extreme prices of topline high-end cables, sometimes even exceeding 10-20 kEu. I can't imagine that the actual material and processing costs are THAT high. So sales margins are extreme. This is also notable in the steep price decrease of these cables in the second hand market...

With regards to DIY, been there done that. Although it might be possible, I have yet to hear the DIY cable that really matches the sound quality and balance of a good highend cable.

Not sure if I understand your suggestion with the direct lines... Can that be done with standard audio component or do you need to modify these?

Tried in the past high grade electrical wire as speaker cable, but was not really happy with the sound, especially in the high's.
Lot's of sharp SSSSSSSSSSSSSSS sounds.


Cheers.

[Bigear]

Got me a XLR IC from Grover Huffman. (Big thanks to Juanpmar for this link). Not played in fully yet but already VERY good. Space, location, macro and micro dynamics, good extensions in low and high. Really revealing, hearing 'new' things on 'old' tracks.

And this for sensible pricing...   

[PeterSt]

Ok, good !
But now let's try to explain what could have been wrong with your former XLR's ?

Just curious ...
Peter

[Bigear]

Ok, good !
But now let's try to explain what could have been wrong with your former XLR's ?

Just curious ...
Peter

Ok, lets give it a try...

My former cable exists of silver polycrystalline round wires with a teflon coating... It has a warm sound, a bit 'dark' and lacking some high extension. Nice to combine in a 'typical' digital setup (to which I do not count the NOS1 Phasure DAC).
Reading this link http://www.steenduelund.dk/download/kabler%20intro.pdf  there are a couple a things a good cable must have...
1. It consists of flat wires, wide for good lows, more square for the highs with a special surface treatements so skin effects are reduced...

GH IC are made of flat wires with some patented features and material choices eliminating  skin effects, so I guess this is one effect I hear.

2. The electrical isolation material used has influence on the sound, Duelund uses 'natural materials'.

GH IC has also covered this in his latest version: out of his blog  'Turns out Teflon was holding me back'. He uses now a different isolation material, not sure what it is.

3. Electro-magnetic shielding should be excellent in nowadays RF smogged ambients.

GH IC has a nickel shielding layer taking care of this.

So, there might/will be more effects we are not (yet) aware off, but anyhow, this cable takes care of some the more interesting 'cable science' topics I could find on the internet and it shows.. eh sounds... 
Much more extension, space (voice/instrument seperation) without blowing things up,  information, micro and macro dynamics.
Guess there will be better cables around but I haven't found them yet for this reasonable price level.