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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
152 responses Add your response
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
If audio cables are too long, you don't get lost looking for source or receiver by following arrows:

SOURCE->->->...you...->->->RECEIVER

Please note to follow arrows when dealing with long wires so you don't get lost between SOURCE and RECEIVER.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
The electrons go back and forth, at least somewhat and at very low speed, they are virtually standing still, but the signal does not go back and forth. That's the issue. Thus any wire or cable will sound better in one direction than the other. This includes wire inside speakers, wire inside transformers, internal wiring of components, fuses, etc.
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