Re: Expensive cable!

["BruceR" <razrbruce@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 Lewis Gardner wrote:
> BruceR wrote:
>> Now, if one could actually HEAR a difference THAT would
>> be something!
>
> I went to high school with some certified SMFs (smart mothertruckers).
> One of these SMFs took his money from starting one of the first IBM PC
> clone companies (back when you made and burned your own BIOS) and
> started a high end audio company. Since I always respected this guy's
> intelligence and engineering abilities I spent an afternoon with him
> at his shop. Dollar wise the sky was the limit. Silver solder and
> wire, $25 capacitors, power supplies in separate boxes. We spent
> about 5 hours.
> For what I listen to there was no difference.
>
> He had a ambient sound recording from a jungle in Africa. We started
> with a fairly stock system and listened. As extremely esoteric parts
> were added or swapped the results were amazing. The ability to hear
> more sounds improved as the $$ went up. Just to be sure I had him
> remove items one at a time and the sounds disappeared.
>
> I was a MAJOR skeptic and came in expecting to not hear a difference
> and didn't on the CDs I listened to regularly. Since I don't normally
> listen to ambient jungle sounds the extra thousands of $$ would be
> wasted. Much to his credit he didn't try to sell me anything. It was
> just a chance for him to share his knowledge.
>
> But I did hear a difference.
>
> My personal opinion is that if you are seriously into audio you need
> to find a SMF in your area and spend some time with recordings you
> know. If you can hear a difference and have the money why not make
> yourself happy. Any worthwhile high end audio shop will be willing to
> spend the time letting you decide for yourself. Mail order is NOT the
> way to pursue such a hobby.

Were the jungle sounds on a CD or from and analog source?  I would
suspect that things like power conditioners could make quiet passages
more quiet but I'd still be very skeptical about high end wires that
were "cold welded" as opposed to the garden variety properly sized and
terminated cables.