What audio system do you have, or plan on getting?

[Pohjolas Daughter]

A feather duster an important accessory!

Wow!  And, yes (reminds me that my modest setup needs some dusting  )!

So, how does he get to the LPs on the far side?

That thing looks like it was designed to keep playing without skipping even during an Earthquake!  Maybe you could use it on a private yacht during a storm.

Yup! 

[DavidW]

btw those Wilson Audio speakers are $329,000 per speaker!

[Pohjolas Daughter]

btw those Wilson Audio speakers are $329,000 per speaker!

I believe that it's for a pair.  https://audiobacon.net/2019/11/16/how-do-329000-speakers-sound-like/

Like that would make a difference for me! 

[DavidW]

I believe that it's for a pair.  https://audiobacon.net/2019/11/16/how-do-329000-speakers-sound-like/

Like that would make a difference for me! 

Oh what a relief, for a second I thought they were expensive! hahaha

What I think is funny is that you could spend all that money... and it still wouldn't sound as good as live music.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Oh what a relief, for a second I thought they were expensive! hahaha

What I think is funny is that you could spend all that money... and it still wouldn't sound as good as live music.

Too true!

PD

[Irons]

Wow!  And, yes (reminds me that my modest setup needs some dusting  )!

So, how does he get to the LPs on the far side?
  Yup! 

Michael Fremer is a funny guy. He always cheers me up.

https://youtu.be/6uQBxq5FSCM

[71 dB]

btw those Wilson Audio speakers are $329,000 per speaker!

They are status symbols for people who have too much money to know how to spend it wisely. If you are filthy rich, you can buy a Ferrari or a Bugatti, but you don't have to. You can also buy a Mercedes Benz, save tons of money and still drive an excellent car.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Michael Fremer is a funny guy. He always cheers me up.

https://youtu.be/6uQBxq5FSCM

Thanks for that link Irons! 

[Mandryka]

I have a problem.

I have just bought a Conrad Johnson amp and I like it.

Imagine my horror when I read this in the manual

THE IMPORTANCE OF WIRES

Interconnect and speaker wires are an important element in your stereo system. Interconnects are available which will permit a reference quality system to blossom and fulfil its promise of musical reality. Others will strangle the system to the point where it becomes no better than average. To complicate matters, our experience suggests that the choice of interconnects will be system dependent-those that are ranked first on a given system may be a poor choice for a different system. Consult your Conrad-Johnson dealer for recommendations for your specific system

Normally I'd just ignore this sort of thing, but Conrad Johnson have a good reputation and they have nothing to gain by this eulogy for interconnects. So I won't be able to sleep properly until I try. But I also don't want to spend money on something which has no effect.

What are peoples' experiences with high end cables?

[Herman]

Well good interconnects help, or rather, cheap, bad interconnects don't.

But you don't have to go thousand-dollar crazy.

[DavidW]

Archimago did some measuring
http://archimago.blogspot.com/2013/05/measurements-analogue-rca-interconnects.html

It looks like perhaps subtle, but audible improvements in stereo crosstalk and FR, noise, THD are all nearly identical.  I think the interconnect is probably the only cable in which there would be any SQ improvement.  But I can't imagine there are audible differences between say Blue Jeans and anything more expensive.  I don't trust any company that tries to sell snake oil.  It makes me doubt their design philosophy behind any of their products.

[Irons]

Thanks for that link Irons! 

You are most welcome, PD.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I have a problem.

I have just bought a Conrad Johnson amp and I like it.

Imagine my horror when I read this in the manual


Normally I'd just ignore this sort of thing, but Conrad Johnson have a good reputation and they have nothing to gain by this eulogy for interconnects. So I won't be able to sleep properly until I try. But I also don't want to spend money on something which has no effect.

What are peoples' experiences with high end cables?

Years ago I remember looking at a friend very skeptically after she said that she could hear the differences in sound re changing interconnects.  When I subsequently went to buy my own stereo system, I was amazed that I could hear the differences in sound!     Perhaps you could borrow some from your audio shop to try out at home?  Or wait 'til you can go into the store and have some time (and bring some favorite CDs) to listen to the differences?  And as (I believe it was Herman?) someone here said, you don't have to go crazy money-wise too to make a sizable difference.  Also, keep in mind a few things:  1)  Ultimately, it's about the sound that you enjoy; 2)  the store will often have better listening environment than your home (so keep that in mind); 3)  They probably will not have all of the same equipment as you do at home; 4)  I've always heard that shorter interconnects are best, are you able to keep your equipment all in one area --meaning close together?

Good luck!

[Mandryka]

Well good interconnects help, or rather, cheap, bad interconnects don't.

But you don't have to go thousand-dollar crazy.

Premont has some experiences about this. At the moment I have thousand and thousands and thousands of pounds worth of equipment and the interconnects were bought from a local store for about £1 each.

[Mandryka]

Years ago I remember looking at a friend very skeptically after she said that she could hear the differences in sound re changing interconnects.  When I subsequently went to buy my own stereo system, I was amazed that I could hear the differences in sound!     Perhaps you could borrow some from your audio shop to try out at home?  Or wait 'til you can go into the store and have some time (and bring some favorite CDs) to listen to the differences?  And as (I believe it was Herman?) someone here said, you don't have to go crazy money-wise too to make a sizable difference.  Also, keep in mind a few things:  1)  Ultimately, it's about the sound that you enjoy; 2)  the store will often have better listening environment than your home (so keep that in mind); 3)  They probably will not have all of the same equipment as you do at home; 4)  I've always heard that shorter interconnects are best, are you able to keep your equipment all in one area --meaning close together?

Good luck!

What really made me stop and think was that Conrad Johnson are so confident and use such strong language - "strangled"

And this from a company which doesn't really have anything to gain from promoting wire, they don't sell the stuff.

[Harry]

Premont has some experiences about this. At the moment I have thousand and thousands and thousands of pounds worth of equipment and the interconnects were bought from a local store for about £1 each.

Incredible

You might try Nord Ost interconnects, they almost fit in with any equipment.

[Mandryka]

Incredible

You might try Nord Ost interconnects, they almost fit in with any equipment.

If I can get them on sale or return I will.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

If I can get them on sale or return I will.

Wow!  I suspect that you will a fair bit of difference by investing in some better ones.    These are the ones that I had purchased about 6 years ago:

https://www.musicdirect.com/cables/audioquest-sidewinder-rca-pr  I'm trying to check on the brand of the flat wire cable that I have too.

[DavidW]

And this from a company which doesn't really have anything to gain from promoting wire, they don't sell the stuff.

Well that is not really true.  They have partnerships with their dealers.  They showcase their products at shows which rely very heavily on cable vendors.  They might even be dipping into that market in a future date.  Cables are very high profit margin.  And companies in the business of making and selling hi-end audio will frequently rub shoulders with cable vendors no matter what they make.

I wonder if the trap is thinking if you spend $$$$ on gear, than any cheaper part will by necessity create a bottleneck? 

I understand buying bespoke cables out of aesthetics.  But if you buy it because you'll think you will perceive a dramatic difference, well you will be making a mistake.  And once you start going down that road of buying into marketing and your easily fooled ears it will just get worse and worse.  What is next?  Power conditioners?  Marking cds up with a green pen?  And it still won't be as good as live music.  I think audiophiles don't grasp diminishing returns and hard limits imposed by the limitations of the recording and the room the speakers are placed in.

And never, ever trust a company for advice even if they don't make the product.  Look to disinterested third party reviews, preferably backed up with actual measurements.

[Harry]

Well that is not really true.  They have partnerships with their dealers.  They showcase their products at shows which rely very heavily on cable vendors.  They might even be dipping into that market in a future date.  Cables are very high profit margin.  And companies in the business of making and selling hi-end audio will frequently rub shoulders with cable vendors no matter what they make.

I wonder if the trap is thinking if you spend $$$$ on gear, than any cheaper part will by necessity create a bottleneck? 

I understand buying bespoke cables out of aesthetics.  But if you buy it because you'll think you will perceive a dramatic difference, well you will be making a mistake.  And once you start going down that road of buying into marketing and your easily fooled ears it will just get worse and worse.  What is next?  Power conditioners?  Marking cds up with a green pen?  And it still won't be as good as live music.  I think audiophiles don't grasp diminishing returns and hard limits imposed by the limitations of the recording and the room the speakers are placed in.

And never, ever trust a company for advice even if they don't make the product.  Look to disinterested third party reviews, preferably backed up with actual measurements.

There will always be people who think that barbed wire is enough as interlinks and loudspeaker cable, and that there is no difference in sound in comparison with expensive cables. But I know better. I am blessed with absolute hearing, and was in a situation that I could test cabling over 35 years now, and believe me there is a huge difference between simple interconnects and the high end interconnects. and yes it warrants the outlay.