Many people assume an audio cable is the least important part of an audio device and that all it does is transport a signal from A to B. The fact of the matter is that any cable with an intact circuit will work with an audio device, but all not cables were created equal and some will work far better than others.
Most audio cable types will look very similar to each other and may indeed work in a similar way, but they are in fact extremely diverse and as some of the most complicated pieces of audio equipment, they need to be chosen carefully. When it comes to what is inside a cable, there are different types of wire that can be used for the conductor – copper, silver, alloy, carbon fibre and even plastic – and the amount and thickness of this conductor can also vary, all of which affects performance.
The thickness of the insulation used at various points inside and outside the cable is also fundamental to the sound produced. These are just a few of the variables; the fact is people have tried, and will continue to try, many different techniques when designing cables in an effort to create something new and exciting, or alternatively something cheap. As a rule, high end cables (taking more of these factors into consideration and exploiting innovative new techniques) produce a superior, smoother sound and, as such, audio enthusiasts are willing to invest in them. If the performance of any audio device truly matters to you, the pleasure you will get from beautifully clear and crisp sound will mean it is therefore worth spending out on the best quality audiophile cables.
