I'd really like to know the true visual diffrence between spending $100 on Monster cables for a DVI connection or other connections and those you can find selling on the internet without any real name brand for $10.- $20.?? Do you have to have the right system to be able to see the diffrence or not?
Pgh Larry

Cables are one of those things that do make a difference but actually appreciating the difference is up to the individual user. I always operated on the 10% rule when designing a system. The cost of the cabling should be somewhere around 10% of the total cost of the system. For most people basic interconnects are going to be fine. However if you have equipment that has cost you a fair amount of money why would you want to connect it with the cheapest thing you can get? I've always tried to get customers to get the better subwoofer and analog audio connections if possible. It seems to me that these are the connections that are affected most by electrical interference.

Hope this is of some help to you Larry.

This message was edited by JonBaker99 on 11/27/04 17:27 ET.

i agree with jon 100% . altough he didnt really answer your question.with analog signals cheap cables often cause signal loss and degridation. didital on the other hand is a diferent story.i would be inclined to tell you that you that a 20 cable would be fine.i have used a $9 toslink and a $99 toslink and heard no difference(sat boxes no coax out).on the other hand i have heard the difference in cheap analog interconnects. especially the ones that come in the box.you may ask 10 people and get 10 different answers.mine is no also make sure you get the correct cable as there are a few different dvi conectors

We've A/B compared the out-of-of-the-box DVI that comes with the Elite Plasma with the MC 400 DVI and the MC won hands down...

I am tempted, but this will not get me started on a rant.

Do they make a difference: Absolutely!

Do you need the right kind of system: All cables should be used based upon the level of gear. Use the 10% rule and you should come out fine.

I understand the visible/audible differences when working with analog signals, but is this actually the case with digital signals. Technically it's just a bunch of ones and zeros. I haven't done the A/B comparisons yet as i have only used the expensive cables(hey what are sales for) but i am curious to know if they actually make a difference in signal quality that is tangible other then a feel good because the cable looks nice and is unnecesarily a superior grade. I am not saying good cables don't matter, just asking if they really matter when used in a digital signal path.
Joe

The short answer is yes.