Cable Happy.

[Markus S]

Mike, why don't you set up a test yourself. The first thing to do IMO - and this seems to be missing from ALL published cable tests so far - is to establish that both the set-up and the participants are up to the task. I.E., the first thing to do would be to run A/B or ABX tests to prove that the test conditions allow reliable detection of small differences that should be audible according to established criteria.

Then, and only then, you can test cables and have confidence in the test results.

So far, the science of the nay-sayers is as dubious as that of the opposition camp.

 

[titian]

What is it with these cables that so intriuges us. Tone control? Neutral link? Synergy? What?

My personal perception is that with lots of them I don't hear any difference. But with some I have the feeling that the sound gets slightly pale, which makes a feeling of lack of presence. Some give me the impression that the size of the soundstage gets wider but the instruments less focused, other the opposite. With one kind of cable (which I used troughout my system) I had the impression that it made the sound extremely clear and detailed. It was very impressive but after 6 hours of listening I had to remove them all because the sound, especially the violins, was irritating me too much (cold and somewhat sharp).

 

[Stereo Mic]

Mike, why don't you set up a test yourself.

We have been offering to do this Markus for some time. We have requested samples from the forum's cable salesman but he continually finds excuses not to put the cables to the test. I don't think we need an enormous amount of intelligence to understand why The same with cones of course

To date, all properly controlled listening tests have AFAIK returned a negative result. I'm therefore of the opinion that it is for the manufacturers making ill founded claims based on pseudo science to prove their case, as the scientific position has stood up to scrutiny already.

If we are suddenly talking about minute differences that can only be heard by some people under some circumstances on some music, what on earth is the point in wasting £200 a meter when the "salesman" tells you for instance, that his cable will sort out room modes because of it's unique metalogy (sic).?

 

[Markus S]

To date, all properly controlled listening tests have AFAIK returned a negative result.

Well, yes, but what I'd like to do is to rule out a false null.

 

[Stereo Mic]

I'm happy to make it as easy for you as possible Markus. Maybe arrange something for the new year? Assuming the manufacturer stops the evasion tactics of course.

 

[Baudrillard]

We have been offering to do this Markus for some time. We have requested samples from the forum's cable salesman but he continually finds excuses not to put the cables to the test.

Did you not say you bought large amounts of Townshend Isolda in order to sell it at a profit and use it in your own system? £500 for a 3 metre pair?

That would clearly make you one of the forum's cable 'salesmen'.

 

[DavidF]

Did you not say you bought large amounts of Townshend Isolda in order to sell it at a profit and use it in your own system? £500 for a 3 metre pair?

Is this right Mike?

That would clearly make you one of the forum's cable 'salesmen'.

hmmmm.....

Interesting.

 

[Joe]

Did you not say you bought large amounts of Townshend Isolda in order to sell it at a profit and use it in your own system? £500 for a 3 metre pair?

How could he use it in his own system if he'd sold it on at a profit?

 

[Stereo Mic]

That would clearly make you one of the forum's cable 'salesmen'.

Au contraire,

I've not sold on ZG and not made any ridiculous claims for performance. I've sold a commodity not a dream.

 

[Paul Ranson]

IIRC Zanash recommends comparing cables using a CDP with two outputs, each output connected to a preamp input with one of the test cables. This makes operating a blindish test easy.

So three pairs of cable, generic, generic with a mod to change the sound by a small but expected to be audible amount, finally the presumed fancy version.

Then it shouldn't be impossible to arrange some form of AB(X) or whatever even if only single blind.

Paul

 

[Stereo Mic]

I have a preamp with two outputs and a power amp with two inputs. So we can even test between pre and power.

 

[DavidF]

How could he use it in his own system if he'd sold it on at a profit?

Perhpts he gad enough to do both?

 

[Dev]

Baudrillard, I've deleted your post. Please refrain from personal comments.

Bob, I deleted yours because without Baudrillard's post it was a bit redundant.

 

[Bob McC]

Fair enough.

 

[Stereo Mic]

I didn't see anything personal here. I did on another thread - strange moderation..

 

[Dev]

Well there's personal and there's personal.

Anyway, you didn't see it because I removed it and yes mods must be strange to constantly invite criticisms from all sides.

 

[Stereo Mic]

Dev,

this all comes about because of one decision on Monday morning. These things need to be nipped in the bud not pruned back every now and then. That's my opinion anyway.

 

[sq225917]

I don't believe in god, no way no how, i'm sure he aint there, he's illogical, unlikely and don't right statistically improbable, never mind all the shit we could blame him for.

but some people do believe in god, and that's ok, and some of them want to give money to religous groups, maybe it makes them feel better, maybe they think it will get them into heaven, who am i to judge.

but i don't feel the need to crap all over every religion thread i ever see.


and that's the thing, people have the right to be wrong, we aren't saving anyone from cable purgatory, just by telling them 'many cables' probably make little to no difference in most systems.

 

[Shiner]

I don't believe in god, no way no how, i'm sure he aint there, he's illogical, unlikely and don't right statistically improbable, never mind all the shit we could blame him for.

but some people do believe in god, and that's ok, and some of them want to give money to religous groups, maybe it makes them feel better, maybe they think it will get them into heaven, who am i to judge.

but i don't feel the need to crap all over every religion thread i ever see.


and that's the thing, people have the right to be wrong, we aren't saving anyone from cable purgatory, just by telling them 'many cables' probably make little to no difference in most systems.

Are you saying that cable believers see it as a religion?
Because that really is taking it too extremes

 

[DavidF]

I don't believe in god,

fine

but some people do believe in god, and that's ok, and some of them want to give money to religous groups, maybe it makes them feel better,

Some people go hrough experiences in their lives which convice them of an existance of God.

I don't think it just a whimsical fancy to them.

Not some of the pople I ahve known anyway

but i don't feel the need to crap all over every religion thread i ever see.

I think thats a very valid point

I happen to think fashion is a comlete waste of space...etc etc

and that's the thing, people have the right to be wrong, we aren't saving anyone from cable purgatory, just by telling them 'many cables' probably make little to no difference in most systems.

Cables CAN make a difference.......its subtle.....but can be definite.

I''m not wrong.

(in my system any way)