alright!!! I think we're finally starting to get somewhere. I don't mean to rag, but I've just had to listen to so much BS over the years that I'm not very patient any more. Read the ecoustic link from avdude's reply, it spells it out pefectly. Manufacturers can and do make cable that alters sound. Can we all agree that the "best system" is one that alters the original recording the least? Shoe, I am indeed saying that solid state circuits have a more LINEAR frequency response than tubes. It is an absolute fact. Do they sound different? Yes, drastically. Tubes are rolling off the high frequencies causing "audiophiles" to claim that the sound is "warmer" or "fill in your own flowery adjective here". If you like the sound of tubes or expensive cables, fine. Just don't try to tell me it's more accurate. If you really like messing around with your sound, buy a Yamaha receiver and start punching the sound field buttons til you get something you like.