Directional wires/cables

Thanks

Some interesting reading. As always, some different opinions on the subject. I guess I'm in the "It's mostly BS" camp and I'll leave it at that. 

Interesting that he is not a big advocate but says he has heard the difference. I do understand if they are made in such a way that it's intended to be used one way or the other, that it may be more important. It is also interesting to note that he says wire should be used to coincide with the way it was extruded. Most of us will never know how it was made. His suggestion to listen and see if you can hear a difference, makes some sense. If there is anything to it in those cases (IC's without arrows), maybe we just solved how the wire was extruded. I'd be surprised if I can hear that difference but I'll sure try it. Unlike most people, I like to be proven wrong as it means that I got to learn something. I still question burn in with cables as this suggests that they will change with use. I'm pretty skeptical on that but there are folks who claim to hear them change so, who knows.Thanks for all the comments.

Bill

Interesting reading. Thanks for all the participation. It is clear that at least some cables should be used the way they were intended, simply by how they were made. As I said, I have always followed the arrows but always thought that it meant they should point away from the source. I may have misunderstood that but it always seemed logical to me. What about ones that do not have directionality in mind? Will they "learn" to be better in one direction than the other? This would mean that they physically changed over time. This is the part that I struggle with the most. Thanks,

Bill

Well, this has been interesting, if a bit cranky at times. Discussions on these and other forums always seem to come down to "my Phd is bigger than your Phd" or something similar. Interesting, nonetheless. 

Many of the explanations are well above my understanding. I'm still struggling with how and why the current has to travel backwards as much as forward in my circuitry and how it must get to where it's going in the first place. I'm just glad that it does. My understanding of electricity and it's properties are pretty basic. It has a pretty good bite to it when it escapes and I'm able to turn it on and off with a switch. I enjoy many of it's wonderful properties without understanding it like an EE does. I'm good with that. 

As to my original question about non-directional interconnects and whether they can develop a memory, I'm still a bit puzzled because there is so much disagreement on the subject. Ultimately, I will let my ears decide and see which camp I land in or if I will just keep scratching my head. I do appreciate any and all who spoke up. Thanks guys. 

Bill

See, I couldn't even spell PhD correctly. I do not have the higher education of many in and around these forums. I do have big ears though. :) Thanks for all guys, it is appreciated. Sorry if people get angry over it. I for one, do not.

Thanks again to all who replied. I enjoyed all aspects of the discussion, even the cringe-worthy ones. 

Well, I sure didn't mean to stir up such a hornet's nest but there has been a good amount of discussion and information to be read. 

I watched a video with Gene DellaSala and John Siau and what their thoughts were on the subject. They put far less importance on it than many others seem to. In the big picture, it does seem to be way down the line from other factors. I think this is fair as well. Once a person has every other aspect covered from TT (cartridge and all), DAC, CD player, whatever source you listen to, your ultimate power source, preamp, amp, down to the speakers, then maybe it's time to start tweaking with better wiring, power supplies etc. There is always something we can do to improve our system, so it seems. They don't suggest that you go out and buy the cheapest wire and cables that you can find either and I don't. 

Anyway, I'm moving on. Many thanks for all the insight. 

Bill