Determining cable and component directionality

[zBuff]

As far as I can see the only way people know how to do this so far is to insert the a said component into a audio path and listen for it. I was thinking perhaps there might be another way. Directionality is said to be a due to the construction and fabrication process, the way the metal is stretch and extruded. Now using a microscope it should be possible to determine this if one know what they are looking for. I'm going to try it out myself once I get access to a sufficiently powerful microscope. Anyone with experience/knowledge in metallurgy and/or component manufacture that could give some insight into how you could determine directionality visually.

Please no comments whether or not such audible directionality exists or not, such comments help no one. If u wish to comment as such, please do it on another thread as there are plenty of them around, rather than to create another cesspit of contentious bickering.

[phn]

Not much help, perhaps, but I make the habit of hooking up cables in the direction of the printed text. Doesn't help much if you make a cable from scratch, though.

I don't know how it works outside of Europe, but the AC jacks here are actually "directional." In other words, it makes a difference how you connect the power cords. I think it makes a lot more difference than hooking up wire in the "right" direction. That doesn't mean I scoff at the latter. It's free, so why not try?

[SY]

I've had quite a bit of professional experience in the production of wire and electronic components. You don't want to hear this, but it really is a crock.

With tubular caps, there is at least some logical reason why there MIGHT be a difference in some very limited circumstances (outer versus inner foil). But if you ever watched, e.g., resistors being assembled, you'll understand immediately why directionality can't possibly matter. Don't bother measuring, you've got the laws of physics working against you.

[Bill Fitzpatrick]

Originally posted by zBuff

Please no comments whether or not such audible directionality exists or not, such comments help no one. If u wish to comment as such, please do it on another thread as there are plenty of them around, rather than to create another cesspit of contentious bickering.

Yet . . .

What a load of ****. See $485 wood knob on other thread. Anyone spending more than 2 minutes thinking about wire directionality shoud have their head examined. If one used bi-directional wire they wouldn't have to worry about such things. Think about it - first the electrons go this way and then they go that way - back and forth, back and forth, back and forth . . .

[454Casull]

Originally posted by zBuff
Please no comments whether or not such audible directionality exists or not, such comments help no one.

Ah, but if we were to convince you that the effect did not exist, you would not waste your time on such an endeavor.

[john curl]

Just try the cable in both directions. It is easier to listen for a difference, than to see it or measure it. I believe that it can be important, sometimes.

[chipco3434]

...snip
Please no comments whether or not such audible directionality exists or not, such comments help no one. If u wish to comment as such, please do it on another thread as there are plenty of them around, rather than to create another cesspit of contentious bickering.
...snip

Your best site for "research" on "directionality" is www.audioasylum.com's cable section. Please check it out. It's full of "science" but please be aware that any mention of ABX or double blind testing will get you a harsh reprimand. I suspect that the scientific method might be a little off topic there also.

You will find it a continuous source of amusement. Please be sure to change you outlet covers! Evidently dramatic improvements are seen with stainless covers when compared to plastic....

[phn]

While I do hook up cables with the text going in the direction of the current, that's purely a matter of aesthetics and convenience. Even without markings, I know which RCA is connected to the shield.

Though I from own experience can say with absolute certainty that "burning in" cables is an old wife's tale, I have no experience whatsoever from wire direction. At least Van Den Hul flatly rejects the idea, though.

Anyway, the idea that it should matter how you connect the AC cord interests me. What interests me about it is that the idea that direction could matter with alternating current is completely foreign to me. But at the same time, the web page that mentions it actually makes sense. It's here. Unfortunately in Swedish, and my halting technical lingo prevents me from translating it. It has to do with how gear hooked up to the same power line can interfere with each other.

So my question is, have I lived under a rock or has somebody else heard about this before?

[pinkmouse]

It has been discussed on the board before. However, it is very dangerous if done without appropriate attention to detail. If you just swap the leads going into the device you imediately remove any internal fuse protection, as well as possibly bypassing the mains switch, (if it is single pole), thus meaning that the internals could be live even if switched off. The only was to do this safely would be to swap the primaries on the traffo, and leave any other internal or external leads well alone.

[phn]

Thanks, pinkmouse. Now I can go back to my normal life.