There are many debates in audio that always spark somewhat passionate responses yet the two that always seem to come to the forefront are the tube vs solid state argument followed closely by the value of esoteric wires. The latest TAS looked into both with a rather lively round table discussion among the editors regarding tube and ss amps and how to quantify the differences in sound. There were both tube and ss proponents and the arguments made by both were really very interesting (I'm not getting into it here so just pick it up, it's a good read).

Later, there is the second part of a cable shoot-out that included everything from Nordost to Home Depot. Using reference systems, it was interesting that the editors admitted that finding differences in the cables required an inordinate amount of focus, much more than one would use in normal or even critical listening, and they would be hard pressed to name the cables on blind testing if they had not already pinpointed specific characteristics. The HD cable btw, did very well and was cited as the reference cable used by two very notable recording engineers. In summation, they pointed out that the cable shoot-out proved, more then anything, how the vast majority of your $ should be spent on speakers and source equip. as they will make a far larger audible difference.

Good stuff and one of the better issues I've read in awhile. Check it out.