High-end dealer advice | March 23, 2019

Very, very flawed argument. At around 5.00 minutes the interviewer states that to make the perfect cable, the cable designer needs to know the source and the speakers. That infers that the perfect cable is adding or subtracting something in order to match the source. In my opinion, the perfect cable, which is a passive device should add and subtract nothing. Why? Logic. If, as the interviewer proposes, a cable is made specifically for a particular source and speaker, its going to be less than a good match for anything else. If on the other hand the cable is completely neutral, you’ve removed another variable coloration from your system.

Andy Singer’s argument that you should buy the best components and not put too much into cables has some merit, however care is still needed in selecting cables as cables are entirely subtractive so you want anything sonically after the minus sign to be as small as possible. Also the argument that your dealer is the best person to recommend a cable is also flawed in that dealers will only represent a couple of manufacturers so will promote them. If that happens to be a good match, great, but it may well not be as dealers often take the brands are are available and unique in their market.

In the end, I’ve found that the best way to buy cables, by far is the home demo. Where possible if I buy a new component I always take the cables on a 30 day sale or return and take the chance to try a few alternatives. I’ve also always achieved best results by selecting cables by manufacturer, then aiming to implement a cable loom. That way I get to implement the manufacturer’s ‘vision’ for how their cables should behave. Of course this method isn’t without its drawbacks as one manufacturer may not make the best of all types of cables ...however I’ve found it to be the best way that causes the least confusion and post purchase paranoia and generally speaking gets the most consistent results
 
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The Dealer "should" know and assuming that's true, I find the argument to be valid. And yes, the gold standard is an extended "in home" audition. And I also do the 30 day / return option when I purchase wire. Anyone who buys without doing the audition is rolling the dice. Seems like a simple, logical perspective.
 
He also said that one day we'll have the perfect amplifier, the perfect source, the perfect cable ...
That'll be the day.

Audio is a game of dealers, sellers, buyers, and there is no end in the hi-end horizon.
Might as well enjoy today and during our entire journey, regardless of the cost and which cable best matches every single audio component of the chain, loom or not.

What if every loudspeaker manufacturer would include the speaker wires in the box that best perform with their design? Same for amplifiers, preamplifiers, active crossovers, phono stages, turntables, CD/SACD players, music servers (Ethernet cable included), and wireless music streamers. :)

If I design a tube amp I want to know the right cables that best match my design, my extremely hard work fine music tuning. I want my customer being served, without struggling in their search.
Rolling tubes as rolling cables?

The audio designer should know. The audio dealer should sell what the audio designer knows best. IMO
 

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