DIY AC cable...which bulk cable?

Heyimderrick - since you seem like a handy guy - are you game for a
simple cable tweak ?

Once the cables are burned in, instead of just inserting the bare cable into
the connector, crimp small spades onto the conductors and then insert
those into the connector.

I first tried this on my 10 gauge cable - it was quite cumbersome, but the
spade made installation of the connectors easier.

The effect however, was immediately noticeable.

I found this improves detail, image and dynamics, especially on my source
components.

I used inexpensive spades ($1.20 for 10) from an electronics hobby store -
just make sure the spade is a fairly tight fit on the wire. The spades
normally have the gauge on them.

Why does it make a difference? The only reason I can think of is the spade
provides a larger area for the connection.

BTW, I also have pretty good crimping pliers - the crimp width is about
6mm.

I have tried this on DH Labs Encore cable and it worked well.

The spades take about five hours to burn in completely, but you should
notice some improvement right away..

Something to try on these long winter nights :-)

I know that solder can have an effect on making a connection,so srew on or crimped is best,but isn't adding a crimped spade,adding something akin to solder?

Instead of a bare wire screwed to the connector,now you are introducing a third variable and disimilar metal to the mix.Maybe brass or tin?

I have thought that all the strands of copper may not make exactly the same connection to the connector.Hence, perhaps not a 100% perfect contact of all wires to the connector,and even some strands with minor cracks or breaks which could lead to a non uniform connection.
Just speculation,however,but it has come to mind.
That's why I like solid core wires.
But I might try flatening the ends so that more of the copper connects to the receptacles.
I believe some interconnetcs and speaker wires promote an oval type wire geometry as being a better conductor.
Although I have no experience with them to know for sure.

Instead of cheap dimestore spades,have you ever tried DIY and using silver or gold and fashioning your own type of spade?

That sounds interesting to me.
Perhaps the next tweak venture start up company?

Williewonka, that's actually a great idea. Of course, I didn't think of it until after I finished the cables. Two cables aren't in use yet, so it would certainly be fine enough to disassemble and put the spades in. Since you've done it and noticed a difference, I'll definitely give it a shot. I'd like to find a pure copper spade. My whole goal of DIY was to avoid connectors with brass base metals...going for pure copper all through the power path.

Lacee - I initially thought the same as you, but I tried the spades on the 10 gauge cable because it was very difficult to install the connector.

The improvement was so noticeable I did the same for the rest of my cables, which resulted in the same improvements.

All of the spade connectors I have used are copper - the plating is very thin and probably does not have much effect on overall resistance. They also more than double the contact surface area, which will halve the overall resistance of the joint.

I've now tried this on both Furutech and DH Labs cables with the same results - a deeper more precise sound stage, improved dynamics and enhanced details.

Bottom line - with the spades I have used, it pays dividends

We all know - not everything in this hobby always makes sense :-)

Heyimderrick - I can't guarantee the result, since our systems will respond differently, but if you construct your own cables it is worth trying.

I think the smaller spades are pressed from sheet copper and may not be the absolute purist copper - but it's much better than brass.

Before adding the spades I filed off the plating to make sure it was in fact copper - that nice bright pink colour.

Please be sure to allow at least 100 hours burn in if the cable has not previously been used - that's about how long mine took for the improvements to be apparant - and after about 200 hours they were at their best. If adding to a used cable the spades take about 5 hours to burn in.

I think my most immediately noticeable improvements were on my DAC

If it works, be sure to let the rest of us know your findings :-)