any difference between cables like this http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3861468 and this one? http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4810666 in terms of outright quality? also, I've read that audioquest HDMI are the best, is this true? they are quite expensive, so I figured I'd ask first... Thanks much, you guys have been a huge help to me...
sans, First of, anything that is sold at Walmart is crap. It doesn't matter how nice the packaging is (the best cables come in plain plastic bags!). To answer your question, no HDMI cables that are of good quality should work just as good as another well built HDMI cable. It is that way because of the nature of HDMI cable, it caries a digital. If it carried an analog signal the story would be different... Audio Quest is rated well on the high end cable manufacurer totem pole. When you cables are in that league it comes down to what effects the cable have on system proformance due to the manufacturing process. Its more than just blocking out interference. 100% transparency should be the goal of every manufacturer but isn't. For the person on a budget I recommend Acoustic Research cables. Thier best line is better than anything Monster or Belkin can muster and their mid-range stuff doesn't make to many compromises. If you want the best look for brands like Audio Quest and Nordost. I have never done any biz with this site but they seem to cater to Video-philes and Audio-philes. Their descriptions are also exciting to read, they really make you want this stuff. Music Direct (Video cables) http://www.musicdirect.com/products/category.asp?category=320 This one is my favorite, $3,600 a meter for the best audio cables in the world! http://www.musicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=ANORDVHI1MR Ced
