The missing link

We’ve been deluged with questions from readers regarding our last column which discussed the importance of line buffers in maintaining the integrity of electronic signals in high-fidelity audio.

“What about interconnects and speaker cables?” they ask.

Some want to know: “Do we really need quality cables? Are the exorbitant prices of high-end interconnects and speaker wires justified?’”

We absolutely need high-quality cables to bridge different electronic components in the audio chain to ensure zero losses in analog signals between audio equipment, but I believe that mind-boggling prices of these accessories do not guarantee to-die-for sound. Cables between components are called interconnects, while speaker wires carry the signal between amplifiers and speakers. The tag price of these so-called “high-end” cables for audiophiles can be unbelievably staggering, with some being more expensive than the total price of the stereo system itself; but I’m not in a position to say that such may be unreasonable. Manufacturers may have their own reasons for stipulating such prices — could be rocket science, extensive research, intricate construction geometries and unusual provisions such as silver and oxygen-free copper — so let’s just leave it at that. 

Audio signals traverse different stages before they are reproduced as music to be audibly heard from the loudspeakers. Pre-amplifiers translate (decode and attenuate) electronic signals coming from music sources such as CD players and turntables, pass this on to the amplifiers, which in turn re-translate and amplify these signals into music. Cables bridging these components should be then extremely capable of handling the loads of these signals, affirming that nothing is lost in the translation. Cables carrying analog signals are most vulnerable to errors and, most often, bad cables become the missing link to the enjoyment of quality music. S/PDIF and HDMI cables, which use error-correction technology, are resistant to signal degradation. However, these cables carry digital signals and are not that useful for audiophiles who still embrace the analog technology.

There are three main elements that make up cables and interconnects: the signal conductors, the dielectric, and the terminations. Conductors transmit the audio signal; the dielectric is a shielding material between and around the conductors; and the terminations connect them to audio equipment. Fused together, these elements become a physical structure called the cable’s geometry, which somehow affects the sonic character of the system to which they are connected.

Choosing cables and interconnects should be considered the final or finishing touches to one’s stereo system. Just like building a house, it should be the last addition to perk up the house’s interiors. Ideally, they are supposed to be the last tweak that propels your system in the right path. 

But which among the myriad of brands should one settle for? The first and most important thing to do is to try them on your system. Most dealers allow their products to be auditioned; take advantage of this. Choose the brand that most suits your music preference. Remember, it is only you who can decide which brand fits your music taste.

All my cables, except the speaker wires and power plugs, are DIYed. I have tried different branded interconnects, and finally settled on the interconnects that were custom-built for me by Cal Cano, known in the audiophile community as Tjaderman, a big fan of Jazz artist C. T’Jader.

Building audio cables is not actually his day job. It is more of a hobby and a passion that began when he started trying out different cables and realized that the sound character of his system changes with every brand. He then learned to distinguish by instinct which brand, construction and materials gave him the most satisfaction. He then built his own and had his creation tried by audiophile friends. One by one, they started placing orders, and the rest, as they say, is history. I was one of those who tried and liked what I heard. His cables do not add coloration to the sound; they are perfectly neutral.

Cal prefers solid wires over stranded, because the former “exhibit a more linear frequency response, aside from providing faster presentation, especially in music with transient passages.”

“A single-core silver plated structure in which the straying current is not theoretically generated, allows a signal transmission extremely faithful to the original source without the incidental impurities in sound and distortion,” Cal explained.

So, never thumb your nose at local DIYers. In my experience, their creations help me find the missing link in my fully evolved sound system.

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For comments or questions, please e-mail me at audioglow@yahoo.comor at vphl@hotmail.com. You can also visit www.wiredstate.com or you can tweet audiofiler at www.twitter.com for quick answers to your audio concerns.