'Magic' cable

MikeBmusic · #1 02-23-2021, 12:44 PM

This guy over on the Facebook Taylor Owners Group just keeps going on an on about these cables ('Evidence'): https://www.thomann.de/gr/evidence_a...Mle-k3E34Rkge4

121 Euros for a 10 ft cable! He keeps saying other cables, including a Mogami "distort" the sound, and he loses '30% of the quality'. When asked to post some sound clips, he gets all defensive. Of course the arguments are the usual, 'in the studio you should be miking up anyway', 'no one can hear the difference in a live performance....

Anyone ever hear of these cables before? Seems like they have limited US distribution.

fazool · #2 02-23-2021, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeBmusic

... He keeps saying other cables, including a Mogami "distort" the sound, and he loses '30% of the quality'. When asked to post some sound clips, he gets all defensive. ....

I actually work in the "industry" and part of my role is the engineering oversight of making ultra-low noise signal processing cables. So.......I am not an expert but I am familiar with this topic.

Yes cables matter and in certain applications they can make or break the signal integrity.

However, his claim of a 30% loss is completely and utterly fake. 30% of what, exactly? Signal strength? fidelity? signal-to-noise ratio? I can believe these cables are nicer and sound better.......just like Mogami's are better than PW or GLS.......but are they 5X better? Maybe......for some applications.

I could take it on faith that these are better but it's up in the area of best-of-the-best (with diminishing returns) where every tiny improvement costs you disproportionately more.

Maybe 3% "better" I might believe. And for some - that's important and totally worth the cost. But making an unqualified claim of "30% better" is absolute hogwash and makes me think their marketing is based on hype and not data.

jwhelan56 · #3 02-23-2021, 01:29 PM

I have no personal affiliation with this company, but they have great quality hand built instrument and other cables. I own several, and I think the quality as well as the components that go into them are top-notch!!

https://www.rattlesnakecables.com/

JStotes · #4 02-23-2021, 01:31 PM

I have played with Evidence cables and they are a very good cable. For about the same money, I've found Audio Envy to be a better product.

I don't, and wouldn't, use these in a live setting, but for recording I believe they provide a better sounding signal. How much better would be up to the individual.

shufflebeat · #5 02-23-2021, 02:31 PM

Does he do beans as well?

James May · #6 02-23-2021, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shufflebeat

Does he do beans as well?

I suspect there is no evidence. Perhaps someone named Jack should plant the cables and see what grows.

I can say with certainty that I'm not about to trade the family cow for 'em.

shufflebeat · #7 02-23-2021, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James May

I suspect there is no evidence. Perhaps someone named Jack should plant the cables and see what grows.

I can say with certainty that I'm not about to trade the family cow for 'em.

I'm picturing a tiny guy, "Quarter Inch" Jack.

Gordon Currie · #8 02-23-2021, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeBmusic

He keeps saying other cables, including a Mogami "distort" the sound, and he loses '30% of the quality'.

Why do these types of claims almost ALWAYS involve round numbers? Does physics have a bias for a decimal numbering system?

Petty1818 · #9 02-23-2021, 10:44 PM

Surprised you haven’t heard of evidence audio before. They are a very well known and respected brand. Their solderless pedalboard patch cables are an industry standard at this point.

Cuki79 · #10 02-24-2021, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeBmusic

Anyone ever hear of these cables before?

Cables only matter for electric guitar because of the capacitance. That's why some blues men use super long cable to tame the high end.

With good headphones, you'll hear the difference between the Evidence and the Monster. Note that the guy made a good sounding cable out of a cheap TV cable.... It's not about the money. Don't buy a cable based on "rumors", buy it based on specifcations and measurements.

More information there:
http://www.ovnilab.com/articles/cables.shtml
http://www.ovnilab.com/articles/cablechoice.shtml
http://zerocapcable.com/wordpress/?page_id=400

I am crazy enough to buy my cables with a capacimeter... But I am crazy (people used to this subforum know that).

However it is only valid with passive magnetic pickups (strat, tele, Les Pauls...). It excludes every acoustic guitars. Except maybe sunrise or woody pickups equipped guitar... and if I had to make a guess, I'd say they probably voice their pickups so that it has almost no influence.

alnico5 · #11 02-24-2021, 06:04 AM

I have been using a $29.95 Whirlwind Leader Elite 18.5 ft guitar cable for 30 years. I thought that was kinda high back then but now it's 30 years/$30.

rmp · #12 02-24-2021, 06:29 AM

now wouldn't be a good time to bring up those $50 Guitaria Wireless units you can order on Amazon would it??

Captain Jim · #13 02-24-2021, 07:58 AM

I'm still looking for a guitar that makes my playing 30% better.

shufflebeat · #14 02-24-2021, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmp

now wouldn't be a good time to bring up those $50 Guitaria Wireless units you can order on Amazon would it??

Funny you should say that, I've just changed my mind on that one.

Happy to evaluate this kind of evidence for magic cables.

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...80#post6644380

KevWind · #15 02-24-2021, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeBmusic

This guy over on the Facebook Taylor Owners Group just keeps going on an on about these cables ('Evidence'): https://www.thomann.de/gr/evidence_a...Mle-k3E34Rkge4

Anyone ever hear of these cables before? Seems like they have limited US distribution.

Yes I use them but just for pedal board

I am guessing the 30% claim is suede shoe artist nonsense or self delusion.

That said :
Actually they are located in California (link below) and offer factory direct sales (so US distribution is as good as it gets) . I used their Monorail signal cable and SIS connectors to custom wire my pedal board. That product is fairly expensive ($2.95 per ft. for cables,,, $7.95 per screw on solderless 1/4 inch connectors) . BUT IMO is top notch quality and the ease of assembly , convenience, and reliability of connection for and customer service, for DYI custom length pedal cables (I think) is unmatched.

http://www.evidenceaudio.com/products

here is my Pedal Board