Do Cables Really Make a Difference? A Deep Dive with Audio Art Cable

Jun 1

There’s an age-old question that has long divided the audiophile community: do cables really make a difference? I decided to get to the bottom of it by asking two of my most trusted advisors—Anthony Kershaw at Audihilia and Oswaldo Martinez at Let There Be Sound. Their unanimous answer was a resounding “Yes!” That led me straight to Audio Art Cable (or Audio Arc Cable, as I first encountered them), a company with a reputation for quality that dates back to 2005.

Discovering Audio Art Cable

I wasn’t familiar with Audio Art Cable before my journey began, but after hearing about their roots—starting out with an entry-level line designed in collaboration with DH Labs and then evolving under the direction of Rod, who expanded their offering into multiple tiers—I was intrigued. Their statement series is especially impressive: reasonably priced compared to the outrageous figures often seen in the high-end cable market. When I compared them to some of the competition, where individual cables can cost more than the entire Audio Art Cable kit, I knew I had to talk to Rob Fritz over at Audio Art Cable.

The Consultation: Tailoring Cables to Your System

Rob immediately made an impression—polite, knowledgeable, and genuinely interested in my system. He asked detailed questions about my components, my listening tastes, and even the acoustic quirks of my listening room. Based on our conversation, we assembled a “complete loom” of cables, carefully chosen across different tiers. The idea was simple: my system didn’t require the ultra-high-end statement series cables, but it deserved something solid, well thought out, and tailored to its needs.

Breaking Down the Setup

Power Cables

I started with the power side. Until recently, I had been content with the stock cables provided in the box. But as Rob pointed out, while that might be okay for some components, power cables on the amplifier and phono stage can make a real difference.

Classic Classic Plus Cryo with Fertg Plug Set:
An upgraded version of their entry-level power cable, robust yet flexible. They even offered a customizable length (after I initially overshot my needs, Rob helped shorten them so they fit perfectly behind my cabinet). The cables feature a Tech Flex jacket and are cryogenically treated—a process we’ll delve into later—along with top-quality connectors.

Rob also mentioned a new entry-level power cord now available for under $200, so if you’re curious about exploring even more budget-friendly options, it’s worth a look.

Interconnects

Next up were the interconnects, a crucial link in any high-end audio chain.

E2.2 2 Cryo with Fert FP 110 Alpha Processed RCA:
These gold-plated RCA interconnects feature a locking mechanism and a supple Tech Flex jacket. Although “alpha processed” is a term that might require a deeper look on their website, the build quality speaks for itself. I ordered four pairs of these in various lengths to link my VPI turntable, phono stage, and power amplifier. Their performance? Smooth, directional (each cable even bears an arrow showing the signal flow), and well-burned in ahead of time.

Speaker Cables

The speaker cable, the SC5E+, rounded out the kit.

SC5E+ Speaker Cable:
Also cryogenically treated, these cables originally came with Fert FP 202G locking connectors. After a minor hiccup with the initial V-shaped connectors, I got a revised version from Rob that uses a solid locking banana pair with a smart bar-lock mechanism. Given that my system features speakers with uniquely integrated terminals (to preserve the aesthetic of their sculptural dark wood design), this thoughtful solution couldn’t have come at a better time.

Additional Cable: A Nod to Budget Options

I even kept one of the original entry-level cables for connecting the amplifier to my tape deck—a little reminder that sometimes, inexpensive cables still serve their purpose perfectly in the right place.

Price and Value

Let’s talk numbers. Replacing or upgrading cables can sometimes feel like entering a world where prices soar into the thousands for a single piece. For perspective:

Budget interconnect for the tape deck (IC3): About $260 for a 6-foot length.
Interconnects (E2.2 2 Cryo): Four pairs totaling around $1,900.
Speaker Cable (SC5E+ in 8ft length): Approximately $890.
Power Cables (Classic Classic Plus Cryo): Two cables at roughly $930 each.

Altogether, the complete kit comes to nearly $4,000. While that might make the frugal among us pause, consider the extensive cable replacement this kit offers across an entire system. Compared to other offerings on the market, which can often be exorbitant for a single component, this comprehensive solution is very competitive in terms of both quality and value.

Final Thoughts

In the end, my experience confirms what my trusted advisors said: cables do make a difference. With Audio Art Cable’s thoughtfully engineered products, every link in the signal chain is optimized—from the power supplied to amplifiers, through the interconnects delivering pristine audio, to the finely detailed presentation of the speaker cables. I’m excited to see how these cables transform my system’s performance, and I’ll keep you updated on my progress.

For now, if you’re contemplating whether to invest in quality cables for your system, my advice is simple: get the complete picture. Tailor your cable choices to your system’s specific needs, and you might be pleasantly surprised at just how much difference it makes to the listening experience.

Scott Wilson