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This was written years ago but the facts are still there!  Sorry this is in English only. Thought I share it anyway!
Audiophile Cables for Beginners
Since the invention of the telephone, the study of cables began. The electronics errs of our modern age especially with the development of audio equipments and audiophile entertainment systems give more requirement and attentions to cable developments.
However, due to the limited knowledge of understanding for the mass and marketing schemes from the manufactures many hypes and theories has been born to lure customer to their products. Hopefully this article can clear up a few things for you and help to make a better decision on cable selections.
So what is a good cable? Rather, what is it that makes a cable good?
Is it the design?
The material used?
Is it the brand?
The cost?
Or maybe someone said so?
I am sure there are many versions with reasons but let me ask you this; what makes a good music system?
Well the answer is much easier and simpler then you think!
The thoughts of certain brands or the mixture of selected equipments will mostly come to mind for those audiophiles.
Yes! …..... In fact, all of you are correct! But “WHY!!” you ask?
Because a balanced system is always the best music system and one that can bring you the best enjoyment while keep you listening.
The reason is that we all listen to different materials in different environments with different equipments and therefore, our flavor for music are different and yet very much the same. It is like the food or wine we prefer. Some like it hot and spicy while some like it cold yet fruity. It is the same food or wine with just a minor adjustment in flavor. There is really no right or wrong as long as one enjoys it!
Cable after all is only part of the music system but a very important one that. Most people over look it because it is passive.
Would you put cheap road tires on a F1 racer? No! I believe not.
Similarly, you would not put F1 tires on a small streetcar either as you know that it is not only a miss match but also a waste.
On top of which, it will give you poor performance with very expensive equipments.
As with cables, one will need to find something to match the rest to make good music. Over and or under will actually cause a system to perform poorly.
So back to the question, what is it that makes a good cable?
Why materials of course!
The type of material used and the way to put it together give the unique favor of the cable designer had in mind.
Like speakers, some cable is more suited for voices while other can bring out more details in a concerto. But if you cannot hear the different, Congratulation!!! As most general cable will just work fine for you!
A good cable designer is much like a chef, they pick the freshest ingredients and or materials then season them with a little this and that, put it all together and cook it to perfection. (at least to them.) Although there may be copies but somehow it just did not taste the same. Not to say that it is not good, but just not the same. Hence different cable manufactures also has their signature dish that is unique. Also the same reason that each batch of cable made is somewhat different then the next.
The Science of cables;
Cable by definition is a conduit for carrying signal from one end to another. In most cases the material used consist of wire made of various conductive materials. For complex and or multi signals, various cable form factors, constructions and number of conductors are use with some kind of insulation, which are call dielectric.
Cable has three basic electrical properties, capacitance, resistance and inductance. These properties are interrelated, if you change one you will have an effect on one of the other. As the cable get longer, these properties changes also thus having a greater effect on the signal. The best results would be to use the shortest cable practical for the installation.
In general, any given length of cable will have these properties. Their value affects the performance of the cable hence affect the system. Without getting into too deep of technical debate, in general Capacitance will effect the high frequencies while inductance will effect low frequencies and resistance will effect the performance of the cable. The cable’s designer has to balance these properties to give you the best possible sound. Usually adjusted by construction, cable length and or materials used.
The type of materials used in the conductors of a cable usually either be silver or copper or combination of both. Of course other conductive material like tin, nickel and gold are also used. Silver typically has a lower resistance then copper but specially processed coppers like the mono-crystal will not only cost more but has lower resistance then silver as well. Of course mono-crystal silver works even better if one is willing to pay for them.
The Dielectric (material surrounding the cable) used will have an effect on how signals are sent through the cable. Different material has different absorption characteristics and usually the lower the better. Most use PE (Polyethylene, a kind of plastic) while Telfon is usually found in high quality cables.
Skin Effect is the characteristic of wire to have high frequency travel along the outside surface of the wire and less high frequencies traveling along the center core. The effect is that frequencies do not travel equally throughout the total diameter of the wire. There are methods of reducing these simply by using more insulated individual strands but the cost of which will be much higher then conventional.
There are standard however for all type of cables and their constructions. Each configuration of construction will have effect on the three main properties hence affect the performance of the cable. Other then audio signal, cable also carries digital and power signals.
The only type of cable that does not have these effects is the optical cable. Due to the fact that optical cables do not transmit or carry electronic signal but optical signal (light) requirement and properties are different.
Remember that a cable is a conduit. Its job is to join and complete the electrical circuit for your music system. Therefore how it is connected and the mean of connection is just as important. Most are solder to the connector while some are crimped, pending on the design, each have their design advantage.
Since the point of contact depends on the connector, type of termination and quality of the connector plays important role in a cable design.
Other then making the cable looks good, a quality connector must function and makes its connection well by minimize the air and or space between the connecting surfaces.
The Art of Cables;
We have described many of the electrical properties of cable construction, hopefully by which you would have enough information to help pick out your cables. I did not fill you with much technical information on purpose as those data are really for engineers and or those who can really understand them. For me and most of you is the sound that really count.
Like any chef and artists, cable designer uses what they know best and creates what they think is a masterpiece. But also like everything else, no matter how good the work is, there is always someone who disagrees! Such is life!
However, unless you have tried it, don’t rush to judge it by the looks. They might just surprise you!
One thing we do know is that in order to cook a good meal, you have to use the best and freshest ingredients. We all know that good fresh ingredients cost money and if you want the really good stuffs, it cost even more! So likewise that if the top quality materials are used in making the equipment, it will also cost more then normal. But having that said, the most expensive does not make it the best. Remember you need to have a balance system to produce the best results!
If you are still with me so far, you are either a hardcore audiophile who is trying to find some errors in this and or just some beginners try to find some sense in those words or both?
In any case, this article was intended to help those who are lost in the marketing of the audiophile cable jungle. If that is you then hopefully this help a bit. If you are new at audiophile cables and like to make some changes to your system, I recommend that you first try changing the interconnect as this would make the major different in your system. Then the power cables. The amps first then the sources. After which, what is left are the speaker cables.
Just remember this, before making cable changes, you should know that given a fairly good system, from fair cable to good cables, there are noticeable audio different provided you can hear them. However, form top audiophile branded cable to another will have less noticeable changes hence go into the area of personal taste. Those top grade cables will not only enhance the good sounds of your system but the bad too!! Therefore, I suggest strongly you try and listen first before jumping into the deep end. Best if you can share and switch with friends first as some cables can cost as much as any single piece of your audio equipment. Some shops will let you try for a fee.
Ultimately, you must answer two questions for yourself. Can you hear a difference between various cables? If so, how much are you willing to spend on them? As with the rest of your equipment, get the cable that sounds best to you (within your budget). That way, your sound will be as good as it can be. Who could ask for anything more?
written by Len
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