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Directional cables - what does that really mean?

Some (most) cables do sound differently depending on which end is connected to which component. It is asserted that the conductor grain orientation is determining the preferential current flow. That might well be, but in most (all) cases the audio signal is AC (electrons going back and forth in the cable), without a DC component to justify a directional flow. Wouldn't that mean that in the 1st order, a phase change should give the same effect as a cable flip?

I'm curious whether there is a different view on this that I have not considered yet.
cbozdog

Showing 5 responses by nonoise

nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,647 posts
 
Some here are going to become apoplectic. 😄
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,647 posts
 
Yes, there is no hard evidence and Skoff even admits it, but think about it for a minute. In the advancement of this hobby, the results have been for better isolation of components, better transmission of data, and better overall performance using better quality materials, which seem to help.

If higher metal purity results in better sound, then Skoff's imaginings show some merit. The differences can be small but the end product is a more enjoyable one, and to some, it's worth it to pursue and make.

All the best,
Nonoise
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,647 posts
 
He never said that all of the impurities would align the cable direction in one way over the other, but that it would/could create a conflict, of sorts (my words).

I’ve been told by a few cable makers that there’s no such thing as 6 nines pure anything when it comes to cables, so....

That, and when an argument is made that a tiny wire in a fuse can make a difference, who’s to say that small amounts of impurities that occur in crystal structure boundaries can’t have an effect? He never said it did, but that it could, which is why he's a fan of large crystal structures that one can achieve in an easier way with single, solid core wires as it eliminates, or minimizes, the possibilities. 

All the best,
Nonoise
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,647 posts
 
Did you read the article, or just skim it? 

He said that impurities can be a reason for the difference in sound in wire directionality. The impurities can act like diodes, allowing the signal an easier path one way over the other. They can also act like tiny magnets.

He also says that when the metal is drawn and compresses the metal to the desired gauge, it aligns the crystal structure in a certain direction, favoring one way over the other. 

So, he did address it.

All the best,
Nonoise
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,647 posts
 
David, you beat me to it. I just read Roger’s article and was going to link it here. FYI, for those interested, read Roger’s other articles on cables at the same site and let it all sink in.

All the best,
Nonoise

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