Audiophile Ninja Headphone Cables

[Rednaxela]

I would recommend anyone buying these cables to let them run in for a while because they change character completely. They are warmer with full bass range but with delicacy.

I take it you meant warn?

 

[fpitas]

Can't we have both the excitement of a flame war along with evidence? Is that not consistent with the ASR ideology?

Well, we would be expected to come up with the (negative) evidence somehow.

 

[Ilkless]

Perhaps the alternative to a flame war is a well sourced reference to the placebo effect and persuasion techniques.

But experience on this forum has shown well-meaning, educational posts sourced with references is often met with patronising condescension by people who are not used to this sort of discussion, and insist that their anecdotal experience supersedes the evidence provided. Pretending their anecdotal experience is of equal and superior validity and proof that actual evidence provided is wrong, not their fallible perceptions in sighted listening. It is a tiresome and proudly science denialist posture to life that rejects any and all attempts to promote an informed discussion.

 

[fpitas]

But experience on this forum has shown well-meaning, educational posts sourced with references is often met with patronising condescension by people who are not used to this sort of discussion, and insist that their anecdotal experience supersedes the evidence provided. Pretending their anecdotal experience is of equal and superior validity and proof that actual evidence provided is wrong, not their fallible perceptions in sighted listening. It is a tiresome and proudly science denialist posture to life that rejects any and all attempts to promote an informed discussion.

Perhaps it's small of me, but sometimes I suspect people of simply coming here to stir up trouble. I know that's very rare on the internet, but still.

 

[cinemakinoeye]

Well, we would be expected to come up with the (negative) evidence somehow.

All the negative evidence or any other evidence for that matter, that I need is that I'm willing to bet that not a single manufacturer selling expensive "audiophile" cables would be willing to place a bet with a large sum of money at stake that in an adequately orchestrated double-blind test run independently of the two parties betting that their expensive "audiophile" cable fares better than generic quality cables that sell at reasonable market prices. My subjective assessment is that deep down, the purveyors of snake oil know they are purveyors of snake oil, and they also understand human psychology. We are creatures that prefer a good narrative over paradigmatic thinking.

 

[teched58]

It's incredible, the state of social media is that you get trolled on an audio review forum. What has it come to.

I really wish the moderators of this forum would 86 you and all the other trolls who come here. WE (the engineers who populate this forum) came to ASR to get away from people like you. There are many forums for the technically uneducated, and they would welcome you. Go to Stereophile, where they have no engagement and need doofuses to upvote their magical beliefs.

Really, this is a serious question for @amirm : Can we put newly signed up members on mod status (i.e., their posts have to be approved by moderators before going live) for some period of time, so that we can keep this forum for people who understand that V=IR?

The SNR of this forum is degrading as more and more newly signed up trolls pollute this space. I will admit part of the problem is that we take the bait; witness the long string of answers to the troll on the Carver 275 thread. But I think the troll problem is getting severe enough that some thoughtful action is warranted and I respectfully ask @amirm what his thoughts are on the matter. (I understand there's a balance between growing ASR vs not wanted to drive legitimate new users away, and also that moderation is very time intensive and puts a strain on the volunteer moderator ecosystem.)

 

[Rednaxela]

Fully agree.

It’s particularly bad during the weekends.

Someone signs up and starts stirring the pot right away with a couple of bogus claims. Then after getting some push back they start questioning our forum ethics.

It’s the same pattern over and over again.

 

[LTig]

Really, this is a serious question for @amirm : Can we put newly signed up members on mod status (i.e., their posts have to be approved by moderators before going live) for some period of time, so that we can keep this forum for people who understand that V=IR?

I think it might be better to present several links to appropriate posts here new members should read before applying for membership.

 

[fpitas]

I think it might be better to present several links to appropriate posts here new members should read before applying for membership.

That might help the serious applicants.

 

[threni]

That might help the serious applicants.

Some people don't respond well to being told they're wrong, no matter how politely. Not everyone wants to learn; some people get immediately defensive about being told stuff they've "known" for decades is incorrect as if being ignorant about something makes them stupid. It's not that they've (all) intentionally come here to troll, but the way they respond to criticism, and the follow-ups, kind of forces them into it.

So some sort of on-boarding process - whether it's a quiz or set of check-boxes they need to complete, or just some more general, easy to read "this is how it is here; maybe it's not for you" text - might help set the scene a little and at least prepare them for being challenged on certain types of posts, and explain how it's nothing personal, and that, ultimately, there are other forums out there.

 

[fpitas]

Some people don't respond well to being told they're wrong, no matter how politely. Not everyone wants to learn; some people get immediately defensive about being told stuff they've "known" for decades is incorrect as if being ignorant about something makes them stupid. It's not that they've (all) intentionally come here to troll, but the way the respond to criticism kind of forces them into it.

So some sort of on-boarding process - whether it's a quiz or set of check-boxes they need to complete, or just some more general, easy to read "this is how it is here; maybe it's not for you" text - might help set the scene a little and at least prepare them for being challenged on certain types of posts, and explain how it's nothing personal, and that, ultimately, there are other forums out there.

I agree. And we can be patient and considerate to a point.

 

[cinemakinoeye]

Some people don't respond well to being told they're wrong, no matter how politely. Not everyone wants to learn; some people get immediately defensive about being told stuff they've "known" for decades is incorrect as if being ignorant about something makes them stupid. It's not that they've (all) intentionally come here to troll, but the way they respond to criticism, and the follow-ups, kind of forces them into it.

So some sort of on-boarding process - whether it's a quiz or set of check-boxes they need to complete, or just some more general, easy to read "this is how it is here; maybe it's not for you" text - might help set the scene a little and at least prepare them for being challenged on certain types of posts, and explain how it's nothing personal, and that, ultimately, there are other forums out there.

Some sort of inclusive on-boarding process might be worthwhile developing, I say this as someone who straddles the subjective qualia and objective domains daily.

 

[Byrdsmaniac]

I recently took delivery of Audiophile Ninja cables to replace the damaged originals from my Oppo 2's.
Source is an Oppo 403 with analogue power supply used as a streamer and a seriously upgraded World Designs headphone amp (Schotky Diodes and Stepped Attenuator).
I would recommend anyone buying these cables to let them run in for a while because they change character completely. They are warmer with full bass range but with delicacy.
The only niggle, which has been posted elsewhere is the use of braided cable sheathing in the final splitter, which transfers noise into the earpads. The fact that this offers more physical protection may pay dividends but having to sit stock still whilst listening is unnatural.

For decades I've used 25' coiled headphone cables that I've gotten from local hardware stores. They work well and typically last me 10-15 years at a cost that was under $10 the last time I got one a few years back.

 

[JSmith]

I would recommend anyone buying these cables to let them run in for a while because they change character completely.

It sounds like you have a broken cable... you should return it for a replacement or refund.


JSmith

 

[DonR]

Just for reference, old Naim amps were designed specifically to be used with high inductance cables (sold by Naim, naturally) or they would go into oscillation. It was part of the design which many would call flawed.

Speakers, electronics and speaker wire generally do not need any burn-in period. Your ears might though. (How is that FAQ coming along?)

 

[Fahzz]

I avoid "Ninja" anything.

BTW it seems to me that this kind of thread is becoming more common here. Somebody joins and their first post is something antithetical to the spirit of the forum. I'm a trained, license cynic, and I'm starting to see a pattern. OP and the others that have been doing this condemn those who disagree with them as trolls and unreceptive elitist snobs.
They seem to be intentionally baiting members, and the "licensed" part of me says to be careful what you write on here about products and gear (and people). A lot of peoples' substantial livelihood depends on sales of snake oil, and they've been exposed here from time to time. I sense a concerted effort to discredit the forum, and maybe to take other action. Maybe it's the price of popularity but...
Did I mention I'm also healthily paranoid? Maybe I'm off base?

 

[majingotan]

I don’t believe in headphone cable sound fantasies but rather purchase the audiophile ninja cable for its almost zero microphonics and quality build and connectors used . Here’s my Aeons with their cables and you can see pretty good quality for yourself

 

[DonR]

I don’t believe in headphone cable sound fantasies but rather purchase the audiophile ninja cable for its almost zero microphonics and quality build and connectors used . Here’s my Aeons with their cables and you can see pretty good quality for yourself

View attachment 249373

The importance of build quality in a headphone cable should never be underestimated. It is a bit of a shame because for under $100 these cables appear to be able to stand on their own merits. No reason to endow them with magical properties.

 

[cinemakinoeye]

The importance of build quality in a headphone cable should never be underestimated. It is a bit of a shame because for under $100 these cables appear to be able to stand on their own merits. No reason to endow them with magical properties.

I agree. The merits lie in the measurements and build quality, magical properties belong to a different realm, one that is every bit as real yet incommensurable with scientific thinking, unless you treat people’s narrative reports of their experience as data to be studied. By who has time for such philosophical pondering when there is so much music to enjoy?

 

[Palladium]

I avoid "Ninja" anything.

BTW it seems to me that this kind of thread is becoming more common here. Somebody joins and their first post is something antithetical to the spirit of the forum. I'm a trained, license cynic, and I'm starting to see a pattern. OP and the others that have been doing this condemn those who disagree with them as trolls and unreceptive elitist snobs.
They seem to be intentionally baiting members, and the "licensed" part of me says to be careful what you write on here about products and gear (and people). A lot of peoples' substantial livelihood depends on sales of snake oil, and they've been exposed here from time to time. I sense a concerted effort to discredit the forum, and maybe to take other action. Maybe it's the price of popularity but...
Did I mention I'm also healthily paranoid? Maybe I'm off base?

Just the usual "tell me you are a shill without telling me you are a shill".