[Harry Lavo]

"Walt" wrote in message
...
Harry Lavo wrote:
"Walt" wrote

And if someone with a fixed budget for a stereo system is about to waste
25% of it on cables, I think I'm doing them a favor by stepping in and
telling them to spend their money where it matters.

I haven't seen many examples this extreme on this forum, or most any
usenet
forum. Certainly in nowhere the volume of those "patrolling" to warn of
the
dangers of cable "voodoo".

I have.

I have actually heard salesmen say as a rule of thumb you should allocate
25% of your budget to cables. There are more than a few "buyers guides"
from retailers that overemphasize the importance of cables. For instance,
here are two:

http://www.futureshop.ca/learnmore/buyersguide/EN/av_cable.asp?P=02&logon=&langid=EN
and
http://www.audiosystems.com/BuyingGuide.html#Anchor27259
paraphrasing: "the free cables that come with your gear are no good. Spend
money accessorizing - it makes a big difference."

It is *very* easy for a newcomer to think that they have to spend big $$
on cables. Yes, children believe in Santa Clause and the Easter bunny
too. And you think I'm some kind of mean ogre for pointing out the fact
that there's little evidence of the existence of either.

Whatever.

I doubt we're going to settle this any time soon.

Sorry I called you "Henry" last night, Harry.

No problem.

Walt, I've read both examples you've given me. I see things I agree with,
and things I don't. About 67/33. But I don't see too much egregious in
their discussion of cables.

Here's Futureshop:

Here I find some manufacturer's gobbledegook mixed in with some fairly sound
advice. I don't see any percentage recommendations or any radical
statements. I would also note that this is in a section entitled "Ask the
Expert". It is on the web, available by user choice. It is not thrust in
the face of the visitor or potential buyer.

Here's Audio Systems:

"You don't have to spend a fortune on good cables, but you should regard the
transfer of information from one component to the next as important. Ask us
for
recommendations, and try out some good cables when you get your system."
Not exactly a radical recommendation, again included along with a lot of
very sensible information.

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Frankly, based on your POV I was expecting some pretty far out stuff; I just
don't see it.