Which cable to use on Aleph internal wiring?

[Sony]

What do you think about this setup for an Aleph power amplifier's internal wiring:

- Input signals: One single solid core wire of 21awg (0.4mm2).

- Output signals: Two solid wires of 19awg and 17awg (total 16awg, 1.7mm2).


Thanks and regard!

[paradigmatik]

I suggest you to use multi-wire because of the «skin effect». This phenomenon causes the electrical current to run on the surface of a conductor...so the best way to achieve maximal signal conductance is to multiply the wires and twist them to maximise the noise rejection.

[Blues]

I think skin-effect only happens at RF and not audio frequencies. That's why coaxial cables were invented for RF circuits. Twisting two different wires does give it ability to reject airborne noise.

[GRollins]

According to the formulas, skin effect only begins to be important at RF frequencies. However, if you try, say, 10 ga. solid core (only--no other strands) as an interconnect on a decent system, I think you'll find that it does indeed make a difference at audio frequencies. This is a clear example of one of those "numbers don't tell the whole story" situations. Enough of those and you begin to look at audio and so-called "snake oil" upgrades in a different way. Some of them actually matter.
One of the things to remember regarding strands--if insulated--is that it increases the capacitance, which begins to tailor the frequency response. In a worst case scenario, it can cause oscillation and blow amplifiers (happened frequently back in the '70s). Moral of the story: There's a balance to be struck between the number of strands, their gauge, whether they're insulated or not, composition of the wire, composition of the insulation, etc.

Grey

[BrianDonegan]

This is a general rulw of thumb (no flaming please):

AC - solid
DC - stranded