DBTs have value, but are not the ultimate arbiter for me. Unfortunately, you cannot compare cables in a true DBT without adding another cable to the mix! If you're interested, I'll tell a tale of an inherently bogus test that some have advanced. For which measurements provide only laughter.
The most transparent cables in my experience (JPS Labs and Nordost) have very low LC values which renders their effective dielectric constant closer to the ideal of 1. That expresses how the cable performs in the time domain. Clarity. Focus.
I don't really know what these expensive interconnects buy you and I have to wonder if I personally could hear the difference. I just bought a few pair of what seem to be very well built cables, Stanton brand (which are apparently no longer made) on CL for $10 a pair (the seller said that he paid something like $50-60 for them new).
So, here is what's going on:
I only need to run a cable from the DAC to the VU on top of it, and then from the VU meter to the amp below it.
I'm not really worried about the cables causing interference because they're too long or anything. I really just want it all to be nice and neat looking, more than anything else.
And here is the mess that is the back of this thing.
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Not all these wires go to this setup. I definitely have some wire management to do. to do. But you can see the RCA cables just shoot straight back and I can't bend them left or right. I thought shorter cables would not stick out so far back.
Let the flame wars begin!Discussions of cable prices have started huge flame wars across the Internet.
I am NOT going there this far in the thread.Let the flame wars begin!
Always up for more knowledge.If you use this moment as an opportunity to start making your own cables, you may never look back at store bought cables again.
One of the cables I make is a solid conductor wrapped in cotton and sealed with teflon tape. On the outside I'll wrap a spiral of solid conductor for the ground connection. Then you finish it with a tube, preferably cotton too.
These cables are simple, fast to make, sound very good and are extremely flexible.
More details available on request.
I have also used the Mogami 2534 with good results. I made my own short interconnect cables for use with a switch box. The cables were made to be the exact length I needed which led to a tidy setup.If you can solder, you can make your own. (A solder gun works best for this.)
I've used standard monster type, DIY Belden coax (2 different #'s but can't remember which ones) and Mogami W2534 Quad microphone cable (Parts Express). Going from the standard to the coax made a huge difference in sound. Going from the coax to the Mogami made a lesser, but still very noticeable difference. The Mogami is very flexible.
I recently had a new system installed in my car, and had the installer use the Mogami IC's that I made for the job. Sounds Great!

I have those Monoprice cables, the plugs way to tight. I had to use pliers to get one off the other day, thought the socket was going to come out of the amp.
That Topping amp is cool!
That one stiff short cable shooting straight out from the back of your equipment looks to be the least of your worries... Seems that the rest of the cables are more messy...
Several years ago, I was made aware of a "scientific test" for comparing interconnects. And it is single blind! Follow the link below and scroll down to the section about interconnects:Sure, I'm up for a good story.