Assuming identical gauge and geometry, it can't reduce low frequencies (that would defy some of the more basic laws of physics). On the other hand, it should theoretically result in a slightly higher HF corner, although for a large amount of audio that's bit like saying that some parts of the Titanic are less underwater than others. If you combine silver with teflon (as audio wire companies frequently do) though, you do get a pretty lousy triboelectric combination, so if any mechanical noise gets into the wire, there's a potential (potential) for ringing. Not guaranteed, but it's been known so generally better avoided.
Oh, you are joking, the wire companies are in on that act now? How in the name of prognosticating pelecans... Nurse! The Glenmorangie!
https://nobleaudio.com/products/xlr-8-graphene
"Graphene is extremely lightweight and 1.4 times more conductive than copper, resulting in a very low impedance cable that is lightweight and extremely musical."
I can't believe what I read... Scotch please, on the rocks.
"Graphene is extremely lightweight and 1.4 times more conductive than copper, resulting in a very low impedance cable that is lightweight and extremely musical."
I can't believe what I read... Scotch please, on the rocks.
Now that sounds very, very similar to the Placebo effect.
I suggest to read here:
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/can-silver-interconnects-be-bright-in-your-gear-2
However my point of view is "I belive only what I see or what I hear" or "I don't belive until I don't hear"
If someone have the possibility to listen a DIY cable well done can change idea like me.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/can-silver-interconnects-be-bright-in-your-gear-2
However my point of view is "I belive only what I see or what I hear" or "I don't belive until I don't hear"
If someone have the possibility to listen a DIY cable well done can change idea like me.
I have listened to probably 30 or 40 different AC mains cables. Expensive and cheap, factory-made and DIY.
I have never perceived any difference between any of them.
Your experience may vary. This is, of course, a hobby.
😎
I have never perceived any difference between any of them.
Your experience may vary. This is, of course, a hobby.
😎
What's your definition of a 'DIY cable well done'? Not arguing, just curious.
For, say, a speaker wire, mine would be (is) one with minimal voltage drop (no more than 0.5, preferably) over the loop length, with low inductance and the capacitance held to sane levels, which typically means a close spaced parallel pair or a lightly twisted pair as defined by Bell in their 1881 patent. Copper, or copper plated with tin or silver, avoiding teflon insulation if the latter is used. Solid core is fine -a bit rigid at higher gauges. Stranded has more surface area so providing you can avoid potential corrosion, it technically has fewer losses at higher frequencies for identical gauges, although in practice they aren't always quite like-for like. I don't live in an especially high humidity environment, so stranded is fine for me in that sense, but depends on situation as usual.
There doesn't appear to be much factual information here, just some people saying they like xyz -fair enough of course, but maybe not the best source of data?
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Measured on what?
I could potentially see how a beefier RCA cable or beefier power cord could make a difference. A heavier gauge power cord, for example, will provide a lower ground impedance. This should, in theory, yield lower ground-induced disturbances. That's not snake oil. A $2k power cord won't be any better than a $10 one as long as they're the same wire gauge. In fact, some #6 grounding wire from your home improvement warehouse connected between each piece of equipment would probably be even better.
Of course, if people would just use differential signalling in audio this would all be a moot point. Differential signalling takes the ground out of the signal path so the ground can be a bounce house if it wants to be. It won't impact the audio.
I'm sure you'd be able to measure (and probably even tell in a blind experiment) the difference between, say, 24 AWG ethernet cable and 10 AWG cable with your speakers. If the cable is much longer than a meter or two I bet you could measure a significant degradation in the damping factor of the amp+cable with 24 AWG vs 10 AWG. But, again. It comes down to cross-sectional area of the wire. Not the marketing claims or price. #physics
Tom
The uber-cables sound exactly the same as the amp-dampers:
Instead of pointing to nonsensical discussions and "used-car-salesmen", you should learn how to conduct the best possible listening test within your given possibilities; no friends tapping eachother's backs, switching cables manualy, comparing aural memory over a period of 20 years...and the likes.
BTW, I'm positive you hear a difference under right circumstances, we all do!...not that there is any in the audible range of humans.
I thought Pano went through this before.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...nnects-how-about-a-potato-or-even-mud.236248/
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...nnects-how-about-a-potato-or-even-mud.236248/
"But Tom, how could that possibly be as good as a Platinum-plated RCA connector?"
My goodness, if too much of this so-called "engineering info" got out into the larger public, the whole High-End Audiophile Industry would collapse!
The "high end" is save, because the general public can't afford it, so therefore aren't interested.
jeff
Humans are not rational critters. But if more understood physics a bit better and also understood how advertising works I do think the high-end market would shrink a bit.
Tom
Tom
No kidding eh. Science and Physics have been replaced by conspiracy theories and other nonsense. 🙁
jeff
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I did too ( not as much though). And heard differences...
One day i was with a friend and we decided to try to see if we could identify some of them.
So we did this half sighted experiment with a very nice amp ( which had some HUGE capacitors in the psu, enabling music for at least 1min when powered off): we exchanged our place in turn and swaped the cable outside view of the other one, then listened to a musical extract at calibrated level and noted results.
One of this cable was obvious in listening test to me ( even more when I swaped the cable so sighted). I was so sure i would have it identified 100% ( it did something different to reverb tails).
Then we treated the results: for my friend, unconclusive, random identification.
For myself... he explained he used another option as i was so confident, incorporating a pattern of cable1, then cable2 then... no cable relying on psu's capacitor reserve.
I was offended. Really offended as it wasn't fair and of course my results were as random as his and i never identified the trick nor the main cable i was so sure to get 100%.
Since, i'm cautious about confirmation bias, sighted test and confidence in my ability to identify things i expect.
It was rough to my ego but i can't thank this friend enough for the eye opening experience.
There could be a difference in EMI performance when considering shielded vs. unshielded cables, but definitely not between copper, silver or aluminium. The resistance factor is even less important in signal cables (vs. power), as small signal circuits are often driven by voltages (high input impedances).
Unfortunately, that is very over-simplified. What you hear in this case actually means what you perceive. What you perceive is a result of the brain interpreting things, not a simple record of what your ears physically pick up.
The difference can be huge, the sound itself might not even be the most significant influence on your conclusion. Whether you realise it or not, many other aspects contribute to perception, things like expectation, preconception, visual ques, knowledge of cost, what other people think etc. etc..
So inevitably people hear some interpreted version of reality (for instance what they expect to hear), not what the sound actually is. Their mind will even invent things which don't actually exist. This is completely normal, and in fact very hard to avoid. Unfortunately people frequently and honestly believe that their perception is a reliable objective measure, which is a boon for snake-oil salesmen and a bind for seeking the truth.
If you genuinely want to know how something sounds then either measure it objectively with equipment and/or conduct a controlled subjective test, where the brain is simply not permitted to know 'anything' about the condition except what is heard by the ears alone (even then it will try to interpret and guess). But if you just want to be satisfied with a choice you have made or are making, probably best not to question it too deeply at all, since the reality may well be contradictory and therefore unhelpful. IMO both are valid approaches, but don't mix well.
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Speaking of "don't mix well," the list of influences could have included alcohol and/or drug consumption. Long ago I drank a lot, and when I was drunk I noticed music sounded speeded up vs. when I was sober. I had the idea that my brain wasn't working as fast when drunk, and that's what caused it, though I don't know. But even one drink can change one's mood and perceptions.
Sure. It's remarkably easy to con people into hearing what you in some way or other tell them they will hear. Standard practice at most hi-fi shows & demos, but works in home settings too; it's usually just the method that changes.
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