The Lending Library @ The Cable Company

The Lending Library is a service we offer to our US customers where they can borrow cables, accessories and even select components. listen to them in your own system and get an understanding for what performance improvements they'll bring! Our Lending Library is unique because of the width and breadth of our offerings. Founded in 1989, The Cable Company is an unbiased source of solid advice and we have a wealth of experience with system matching. 

How do I start a borrow with The Lending Library? The best way to start is to fill out a consultation form with your complete system details. We ask you to be thorough when filling out the form, because the more information we have, the quicker we can assess the current sonic character and performance level of your system. Once we receive your form it will be passed on to one of our sales consultants, and you'll receive a reply within a day or two. 

The Lending Library is Open

 

A US customer may borrow a group of cables from The Cable Library for a period of approximately 2 weeks. Given shipping times this should leave the cables actually in the consumer´s hands for trial for approximately 7 to 10 days.

A deposit equal to 5% of the selling price of the borrowed cables will be charged to the consumer´s credit card when the arrangements for the cable loan are made. This deposit is not refundable but will be applied in full against purchases (cable or non-cable products) from The Cable Company, Usedcable.com, or our Ultra Systems affiliate.

While The Cable Company will pay domestic surface shipping charges on all cable purchases over $50 (as well as purchases of audio accessories up to 5 lbs.), shipping charges for cables borrowed from The Cable Library must be paid by the consumer (we will endeavor to minimize charges by making use of the least expensive UPS or FedEx service which allows the consumer to take full advantage of the demonstration period).

A notice will be included with the shipment of borrowed cables stating the date the cables should be shipped back to The Cable Company. The customer should contact The Cable Company at least 2 days before this return date to confirm the use of the prepaid return label, or so that The Cable Company can issue the necessary UPS “call tag” for pick-up. Use of the return label or call tag saves the consumer having to deal directly with UPS. Nice!

Access to The Cable Library is by credit card only.

The Cable Library generally provides standard lengths of 1-1.5 meters (3-5ft) for interconnects, 2.5-3 meters (8-10ft) for speaker cables, 1 meter (3ft) for digital links and video cables, and 1.5-2 meters (5-6ft) for power cords. (International customers see below)

What about headphones?

The Hi-End Headphone Library

Over 30 years ago we started our Cable Lending Library and thousands have had the opportunity to optimize their system by borrowing and auditioning cables in their own home, with their own systems and music. Similarly, there is no better way to determine a headphone's performance, system compatibility, and long term comfort, than with an extended in-home audition. And so based on the prototype of our Cable Lending Library, The Cable Company offers the Hi-End Headphone Lending Library.

We have assembled a selection of the finest High-Performance Headphones available. Top headphones from Audeze, Sennheiser, Grado, HiFiMan, Abyss, MrSpeakers Dan Clark Audio, Focal, Sonoma and others are the foundation of our Hi-End Headphone Library.

Headphone Amplifiers are also important: What if you don't have a headphone amp worthy of these high-performance headphones? Not to worry. We have also assembled the best of high-performance headphone amplifiers for you to try at home. Now it is possible to borrow several sets of high-performance headphones and appropriate amplification to reach an informed decision based upon your own ears.

How can I borrow some High-Performance Headphones? Give us a call (800-328-9973 or 215 862 4870) and speak to one of our Audio Experts, or contact us by email. Our customers in the US may borrow up to several headphones/ amps at a time from The Library for a period of approximately 2 weeks. Given shipping times this should leave the products actually in your hands for evaluation for approximately 7 to 10 days. Or you can complete our System Consultation Form to get started, and if there are specific products you might be interested in trying at home, make a notation in the Comments box at the bottom of the form here.

For International Customers

The Lending Library is for the continental US only.

We invite our INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS to take full advantage of all our other Cable Company services. You can still benefit from the data we collect when audiophiles are trying cables at home in their systems. When we receive feedback on what cables work with what components we track this information in our “Cable/ Component Matching Database.” We can use this data as the source of recommendations for cables and other components for you to use in your system.

FREE Consultation: If you would like some suggestions for cables and other products to use in your system, please complete our Consultation Form.

Lowest price: Overseas customers can take advantage of the lowest domestic USA prices including discounts and special offers, and can further benefit from favorable exchange fluctuations. Furthermore, your purchase is free of all U.S. taxes. Local customs or other levies are for the account of the purchaser. Note: not all products are available for shipment to all locations.

Payment for purchases: is to be made in advance by credit card (VISA/Barclaycard, Mastercard/Access, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, or JCB), US$ bank draft, Bank Wire Transfer, or Paypal.

Freight costs: We offer free standard airmail for NEW terminated cables (unterminated bulk cable not included) and small item purchases over $300, or $38-$48 flat charge for faster Express Mail EMS, UPS, or FEDEX service (this fee is only $38 for shipments to North America, Asia, and Western Europe, and $48 for E. Europe, Africa, and South America). We generally ship by airmail or FEDEX/UPS air courier and you can specify your choice on the order form. Freight costs for orders under $300, unterminated bulk cable, heavier orders, or USED items.

Get started with your in-home borrowing

Complete the form below and we will be in touch.

Personal Information

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My Equipment - Components* (at least two required)

My Equipment - Cables* (at least one required)

Comments/Questions