Newsgroups: rec.audio


>views, but many of the posts have been much more extreme.  Specifically, it has
>been suggested that we don't really hear actual differences, we're just
>imagining them.  It's been said that measurements show that there are minor
>differences, but we can't hear them since the differences would be inaudible. 
>It's also been said that all the differences we hear are only "anecdotes" and
>don't mean anything unless we perform well controlled scientific studies and
> publish them in JAES.

I would suggest that "imagining them" (a simplified explanation, but it'll do)
IS a *possible* reason for the difference which some report.  I would be 
overjoyed if the majority of the "cablephiles" would admit that this IS a
possibility, and acknowledge that steps have to be taken to eliminate it 
before we can have any meaningful discussion about cabling.

>As to your point #2, many of us do not have the facilities for manufacturing
>and/or measuring our own cables.  Since we realize that the ads are mostly hype
>(as are most ads for anything), we have to try different cables ourselves and,
>by listening, decide which one we prefer.  If you can suggest a generic
>off-the-shelf cable that will sound as good as the $100/ft cable, let us know. 
>If it actually sounds as good we'll be eternally grateful!

The problem I have is NOT with the individual who goes out, audtions some
cables, and drops $X00.00 on them; this is strictly a matter of individual
taste, and there's simply no accounting for it.  But I WILL get worked about
if said person then starts posting purely ridiculous claims as to *why*
said cables "sound better," or recommend to another that they simply MUST
drop a like amount of money if they want to get good cables.  This latter
is particularly annoying, because that person is demonstrating that they 
consider their own preferences and judgment to be absolute, such that they
feel that they should be able to induce others to buy said items on their
own say-so.  A third point of annoyance - actually a subset of the second -
is the current overabundance of idiotic claims on the parts of certain cable
manufacturers, backed up in their ads with impressive-looking technobabble,
and designed to induce a sense of unease on the part of the unsophisticated
buyer (who now is worried that he or she can't possibly be getting the best
sound, since they haven't dropped a kilobuck on the latest PanGalactic
UltraHyperLitz Duotronic Pure Single-Crystal Dilithium Cables!).  I will
continue to speak out against such idiocy as long as it continues to occur.

>Let me spell out what one "differences exist" person says (I won't try to speak
>for all of us):
> 
>1. Different cables sound different.  In a good system the differences in many
>cases are obvious and not at all subtle.

But why do they sound different?  And if you (or the manufacturer) DON'T KNOW
why they sound different, then how can you be sure that the next pair off
the dealer's rack will sound the same?

Now, note that the above doesn't say that a given individual shouldn't
do whatever the hell they want to with their own hard-earned bucks.  I
would be the last person to try to talk you out of your choice if you've
listened and truly believe that you hear a difference - it's not MY money,
and it's therefore none of MY business.  Just don't then start posting about
WHY the damn things work unless you've got some better ideas than we've seen
presented in the past, and don't expect everyone to automatically accept
the idea that the difference is real and repeatable.


Bob Myers  KC0EW   Hewlett-Packard Co.      |Opinions expressed here are not
                   User Interface Tech. Div.|those of my employer or any other
myers@fc.hp.com    Fort Collins, Colorado   |sentient life-form on this planet.
Newsgroups: rec.audio,rec.video,misc.consumers