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You Removed Several Key Variables.....

1. With both sets of cables connected between the same two components, you are using the "commons" of all cables together, regardless of which input your source is switched to. In just about all components with multiple unbalanced inputs, with rare exception, only the "hot" side of an unbalanced line is activated/deactivated by the selector switch. (If I were to build a "DIY ABX comparator," I'd have the switch connect/disconnect both the hot and common of the cables under test.)

2. Since the output of the CDP "sees" both sets of cables and one of the inputs (presuming both inputs have the same input impedance), aside from a minute difference in inductance, your CDP "sees" the exact same impedance, regardless of which input your source is switched to!!

3. Since both sets of cables are "seen" by the CDP, the compositions of both sets of cables are "seen" as well. So it wouldn't matter if one pair was made of copper with PVC dielectric and the other pair was made of silver with Teflon dielectric.

So with both sets of cables between the same components, the only "variable" becomes the inductive effect between the different "center conductors." But since this is a line-level signal driving a high impedance, the current will likely be minuscule. Low enough to where the difference in inductive effects on that current would be next to inaudible.

Hence I am not shocked at all that two sets of cables that sound different with one of the sets totally out of the circuit would sound the same with both sets connected between the same components, controlled by a selector switch.


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