-> pair of AudioQuest we tried a couple weeks ago. In detecting no noticable
-> difference it IS possible that my mostly Carver system is not of a quality
-> that a difference could be easily found. Perhaps once up into the higher
-> priced systems like Bryston, etc, a difference might jump out and grab 
ou.
-> But at my system level, I cannot detect it.
You followed Rule #1 - If -you- can't hear it, don't spend the money. And as
you also eloquently stated, that dosen't necessicarily negate the wires 
"claim"
since system interaction and level of definition does play a role.
The first time I heard an interconnct make an audible difference was over a
decade ago, long before the debate had evolved; I had always used home made
wiring (Belden/Switchcraft/Silver solder) which was still much better than 
ff
the rack/no brand, but when I heard my first pairs of Monster Interlink
Referance A's, I was SHOCKED. The difference was NOT subtle, and manifested
itself more in the bottom end, which also suprised me. And these cables
retailed for around $90 per meter in early '80's dollars.
Worth every penny!
->      The exception to this is the digital link cable between a friends CD
-> transport and his DAC. Going from a $40 cable to a custom $250 cable made
-> all the difference in the world. I would not have believed it if I hadn't
-> heard it myself. I lost a pizza on that one! I reasoned that digital is
-> digital and as long as it gets there in the order it is suppose to...all 
s
-> well. The cable trade brought it from everyday CD player to something
-> extraordinary! Maybe at some level there is a difference for speaker wire.
It is always fun to "suprise" folks with digital interconnects, since so many
have the contention that a square wave is a square wave is a square wave...
And the same holds true to all types of wiring from tonearm to binding post.
Be HAPPY that you haven't found an expensive alternative to what you are
currently using! :-)
->      So.......I am back to plain wire ends and a petro-based
-> termination/contact liquid like "Tweek" (which I can no longer find). It
-> gives me a warm fuzzy secure feeling.....but.... Do you think it is the 
best
-> way to tie in to the amps and speakers? Here in Arizona we don't give
-> corrosion (see, I can't even spell it) a thought. So the plain wire
-> termination would seem the ultimate KISS method. I cannot think of 
nything
-> a lug or plug could add. Any thoughts, PLEASE????
I also use Tweek now and then, have you called Sumiko in Berkely to see if 
they
still distribute the product? Also, as a sidebar, the "general consensus" is
that a gas-tight crimp is usually preferrable to dissimilar metal/soldering
wherever possible. I use spades attached to Monster X-Terminator bananas; the
contact/QUICK removal. If it was not for the desire of quick removal, I'd 
ive
with spades. I prefer spades over bare wire for both the surface area as well
as keeping any oxidation managable.
Just some thoughts - Later!
--- 
---------------