2. cables
  3. 193109-198816

Directional wires/cables

Is there any reason to support the idea that cables, interconnects or any other kind of wiring can be considered directional? It seems that the theory is that carrying current will alter the molecular structure of the wire. I can't find anything that supports this other than in the case of extreme temperature variation. Cryo seems to be a common treatment for wire nowadays. Extreme heat would do something as well, just nothing favorable. No idea if cryo treatment works but who knows. Back to the question, can using the wires in one direction or another actually affect it's performance? Thanks for any thoughts. I do abide by the arrows when I have them. I "mostly" follow directions but I have pondered over this one every time I hook up  a pair.

billpete

Showing 3 responses by westcoastaudiophile

westcoastaudiophile
491 posts
 

“..could have been pre broken in.  Break in is real.” no proof statement again.. yes, there is aging processes in any device s involved in sound amplification and transmission, pareto is in tubes/SS/Dig not wires. cables exposed to aging as well, but, aging makes wires performance degradation with time, due to dielectric hardening and resistance of wires increase.. connectors have own life in this process, and depend on both interconnected sides design, finishing / plating / terminating issues. 

cable can have directionality if cable is unsymmetrical in mechanical or electrical sense, such as having additional filter clamps, special optimized connectors different on two sides, or different cable prep. 

 

westcoastaudiophile
491 posts
 

“..the label aligns with the flow of electrons” electrons in cable move only for DC connection! All audio signals’ are AC, thus electrons are only shaking both ways, and generate EM wave moving from source to load! Not absorbed EM wave in impedance mismatched signaling schemes, such as “RCA <=> high input impedance and low output driver impedance”, creates reflections, thus time domain signal distortions.

westcoastaudiophile
491 posts
 

@richardbrand +1 

to add: DC is connected btw source and load with two wires, one is for forward the other one for return current, in opposite to forward direction. This makes all cable directionality proposals DOA. 

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