There’s no shortage of opinions about audio cables in the hi-fi world. Some swear by high-end cable upgrades, while others argue that “a cable is just a cable.” At Nordost, we’ve been designing some of the most reputable hifi audio cables in the industry for decades, and we’ve heard all the misinformation out there. We’ve decided it’s time to set the record straight and speak to some of the most common myths out there, because sometimes, while the vitriol may be real, the information is not. So let’s address some of these myths and provide you with the facts that debunk them.
Myth 1: All audio cables sound the same.
This is one of the most widespread misconceptions in hifi. It is true that all cables serve the same purpose: they transmit a signal. However, how they do that, the materials used to make them, the technologies and techniques employed in their design and construction, the shielding methods, and the internal geometry of the cables can significantly affect their performance. Cables with poor shielding can introduce noise. Cables made with inconsistent or poor materials can cause signal degradation. Technologies like filters compress dynamics. When you’re working with a hifi system, even subtle differences in timing, clarity, and dynamics become noticeable. Needless to say, not all cables are built the same, and those differences in design and construction have significant effects where those audible nuances are concerned.
Myth 2: You need to “break-in” your cables for them to sound good
This one is partially true. It’s important to note that “breaking-in” a cable is different from “burning-in” a cable. Sometimes these terms are used interchangeably; they should not be. Breaking-in a cable essentially means you use the cable over time. As current flows through a new cable, the insulation and conductors settle into their roles, which can result in more open and natural sound after long periods of use. While the difference might not be dramatic for every listener, it’s something many audiophiles attest to, once they know what to listen for. However, when you “burn-in” a cable using a specifically designed product, such as Nordost’s VIDAR 2, a very wide band signal of varying amplitude is sent through the cable. When this happens, higher levels of signal, at a wider frequency range, are introduced to the cable than it would typically see during its normal course of use. Without this treatment, a cable can take a tragically long time to break-in, or (especially for cables like interconnects or tonearm cables) it could never receive the benefits of a FULL break-in. In some ways, you could think of this treatment as an “accelerated break-in”, with better results due to the signals employed. The combination of frequencies that the VIDAR 2 puts through the cable allows the process to occur much quicker. The results from the VIDAR 2 will always be better than any other break-in method used, and the results are definitely audible.
Myth 3: The more expensive the cable is, the better it will sound in your system.
Price doesn’t always equal performance. What matters more is system synergy. The right cable for your setup depends on your components, room acoustics, and personal taste. In some cases, a mid-level cable that complements your system’s tonal balance can outperform a flagship cable that doesn’t match your gear or that uses technologies that limit your components in other ways or compress sound. This is especially true if you try to mix and match cables within one system that combat or cancel each other out with competing technologies or design philosophies. In fact, we have conducted public tests where we put a comprehensive loom of our midrange products up against a mismatch of our competitors’ reference products, and our cohesive mid-range loom beats them out every time. The truth is that there are too many variables to speak to every system and situation, which is why we encourage customers to audition cables in their own systems whenever possible.
Myth 4: The value of cables in your system should equal ~15% of your total system value.
Since everyone’s hifi system is so unique, “the right” amount to spend on the cabling of a system is very subjective. Not to mention, an audiophile’s system is never stagnant. What you don’t want to do is limit the performance of your future component upgrades with hifi cables that won’t allow them to stretch their audio muscles. In other words, the limit in your system should never be the cabling. That being said, you should also recognize that going overboard on your cables without the components to support them won’t help you either. Cables should not be corrective. High quality cabling will allow you to hear your components with a clarity that would otherwise be impossible to achieve. So, if you are unhappy with the sonic characteristics of your components in general, a better cable won’t help you. Unfortunately, while most people may be looking for a cut-and-dry number, it isn’t that simple. Finding the right fit for your system is a balancing act.
Myth 5: Digital cables don’t make a difference.
It’s easy to assume that since digital signals are just 1s and 0s, the cable doesn’t matter. But that isn’t entirely true. In reality, digital signal transfer can be complicated and exacting. Timing is critical. A digital cable with poor impedance control can introduce jitter, which affects timing and degrades sound quality. Just like analog cables, digital interconnects benefit from thoughtful design and quality construction. There is A LOT more that goes into digital signal transmission than you might think, or than can be appropriately explained in a short blog, so for more information we encourage you to check out our white paper, “Digital Audio Cables: How Can They Make a Difference?“.