analogcorner's Profile

I wonder how many of you like "Sparkles" have even heard a real high end audio system. You shouldn't use terms like "idiot" until you have some knowledge. Do you think people who spend $500 on a bottle of wine are "idiots?" Do you think people who buy a Maserati instead of a KIA are "idiots"? Frankly, when you use the word "idiot" as if it is self-evident that only an "idiot" might consider spending that much on cables, you sound like an idiot. People for whom fine reproduction of music is a passion and who have the means to support that passion are not "idiots." Do you consider Rick Rubin to be an "idiot?" Or Paul Simon's long time recording engineer Roy Halee? Both of these guys have spent a great deal of money assembling expensive audio systems in their homes for their enjoyment and both have spent well more than $7000 on speaker cables. Your arrogance and that of other posters here is really indicative of a great deal of ignorance. As for the challenge, I will take the challenge if Mr. Randi and I can come to terms as to the test protocol. Since I will be putting my money where my ears are, I am trying to keep the costs reasonable. A glib person might say "well you're going to win a million bucks so what's the difference how much you spend?" But really, there's no guarantee that I have a 100 percent chance of producing a statistically significant number of identifications under the pressure of test conditions. I am fairly confident that I can but we'll see. Should I fail, I know the people who know there are sonic differences among cables (and big differences in materials costs and construction quality) will continue to be supportive and those who think it's all "idiotic" will continue to think that, so really, I have nothing to lose and plenty to gain. My experience as an audio reviewer for more than 20 years has always been that cables do sound different and make a difference. Are they the most important component in a system? No. But they are the "spice" that can "finish" a system and make everything sound "right." If you listen to music on a computer or on plastic cubes, well knock yourself out and enjoy it. But please don't call people who prefer a finer and more expensive experience "idiots." I mean by all means do, but only if you wish to look foolish among people who know better. The people who read me and who trust me over the years because their experiences are similar to mine in audio, are mostly doctors, lawyers, financial analysts, airline pilots, etc. These people are hardly "idiots" and not easily fooled. Get yourself some experience in this field if you don't have much, before calling anyone an "idiot"--Michael Fremer