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before everyone gets crazy about this cable comparison thing again remember when comparing cables that when removing and installing cables to clean connections as oxidation will play a huge difference in sound quality. i can't remember what the product's name is/was but it was an industry darling some time ago to keep connections from oxidation. i wonder how many "golden ears" can be tricked with "blind cable comparisons just by removing and cleaning connections? just a thought!

Since I live in Vegas, and this is football season, I'd put the odds at somewhere near 100% on that proposition.

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If that's the case, then why is Skywalker Ranch, the premiere studio for sound effects and film industry benchmark for sound use MIT cables throughout their studio?

Didn't they also use M&K speakers, which even the manufacturer indicated would be more appropriate for movies than music?

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If that's the case, then why is Skywalker Ranch, the premiere studio for sound effects and film industry benchmark for sound use MIT cables throughout their studio?

Didn't they also use M&K speakers, which even the manufacturer indicated would be more appropriate for movies than music?

The discussion was whether "professionals" use standard issue cables for their work or ever delve into "audiophile" cables; the point being that they don't because "they know better than to be fooled into magic and snake oil." I disagreed and site Skywalker Sound as an example of highly respected pros who in fact use very expensive audiophile wire throughout their studio. The thread is "mostly" about the value or not of expensive cables...

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The thread is "mostly" about the value or not of expensive cables...

As originally intended that is not the purpose of this thread. Everyone gets to assign "value" in their own terms. When I began the thread I stated the fact I saw no cables with blue collar pricing included in current Recommended Components listings. I had no intention of starting yet another cable thread where everyone argues their own bias.

Speicifically, I asked, " ... isn't this pushing the limits of reason when someone thinks about using the Recommended Components listings as a guide to create a starter system?"

I don't think that has anything to do with what studio uses which cable for which variety of music (or whether compositions performed by talented musicians qualify as "music" or something else), particularly if the argument then develops into a battle over ultra-high priced cables.

If you would care to return the thread to its original intent, you might suggest cables for the hopefully upcoming cable comparison to be published in a soon to be on the shelves issue of Stereophile. My feeling is there should be cables for everyone in the next Recommended Components listings.

Jan- as the original poster, you're right. My response(s) had to do with ElGreco's assertions vis a vis cables and studios. Obviously a bit off the original topic, but not unrelated conceptually.

In any case, I had agreed with your original premise that the cables section was/is inadequate for the average reader to use and that a comprehensive review of the whole cable "issue" deserved attention. Apparently, from John Atkinson's response, tat will in fact happen in the future.

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It's WAY past due for someone to do a real world cable comparison.

I'll mention this to JA.

Consider it mentioned, Stephen. It's an excellent suggestion.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

When mulling the proposition to introduce an excellent $400 cable (RCA, 1M) I was explicitly told I was not allowed to. The price had to be higher, otherwise no-one would take it seriously. So the price of a cable might end up being doubled. I'd seriously prefer to keep it at the $400 mark. Others are fighting for the $800 mark. Thus turning the buyer into a mark.

The problem in a nutshell..is what that is.

Humans are such a funny (odd psychology on those strange buggers...) bunch.

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Apparently, from John Atkinson's response, tat will in fact happen in the future.

This is good news. I trust that JA knows, for example, the BBC's policy on cables, which is unlike Skywalker Ranch's because, unlike Skywalker Ranch, the BBC is a revered cultural institution whose contributions to sound reproduction have been invaluable over the years.

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Apparently, from John Atkinson's response, that will in fact happen in the future.

This is good news. I trust that JA knows, for example, the BBC's policy on cables, which is unlike Skywalker Ranch's because, unlike Skywalker Ranch, the BBC is a revered cultural institution whose contributions to sound reproduction have been invaluable over the years.

Dude... or Sir, if you prefer, you seriously need to come down from that Ivory Tower. First- you just can't let it go can you? Second: No one cares about revered Brit institutions over American sound design companies. And ALL music companies are in it for the buck. All the ones not run by musicians, that is. The BBC is a business as much as anyone. Period. Why do you think the music industry is in the death spiral they are in now? For Art? Because they were to greedy to actually care about giving value to their customers and supporting the growth musicians used to get.

Your insistence on arguing minor details of class, taste and musical hairsplitting is completely out of touch with reality. Opera, classical, choral- all nice, but inconsequential to the world at large. The funniest thing of all is that YOU are the one that started the discussion about professionals using or not using expensive cable. Apparently you meant professionals that hang out exclusively in the wings of the Paris Opera house quoting Proust, the rest of the world be damned Philistines...

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Opera, classical, choral- all nice, but inconsequential to the world at large.

Or maybe to Salem, MA.

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Opera, classical, choral- all nice, but inconsequential to the world at large.

Or maybe to Salem, MA.

Yes, which is indeed part of the world at large...and also just 15 miles from a world class symphony, a dozen chamber ensembles and a prestigious music college. As a long time classical music listener, I can safely say all of the above are largely ignored by most of the populace no matter what the economic class or educational level, and especially by the music industry. Too bad, but for those of us living on planet Earth, it's an all too obvious fact of life.

"Saturn Devouring His Son" a statement on the music industry?