Has anybody tried using single solid core cables?


At a recent hi-fi show an exhibitor auditioning $47K speakers repeatedly asserted the following: "Any solid core wire, even $0.03 a foot is better than any multi-strand available. Experiment for yourselves, you will be amazed."

My question before I ditch my multi-stranded Audioquest Indigo cables in favor of 4 individual single solid core 18 gauge cobber cables from Home Depot for my newly acquired SA Mantra 50s, has anyone tried using single solid core wires?
arcamadeus
Yes, it's all system dependent. I went back to an older pair of solid core copper speaker cables and I now have the music literally in front of the speakers and all on the same plane. It's not quite holographic but the level of resolution is beyond what I thought possible.

The center fill is nothing short of astounding as everything seems quite palpable compared to before, with the images spreading out to almost outside the speakers. Couple it all with the resolution of a good pair of headphones and it leaves me scratching my balding head as to just why this combo of amp, cables and speakers sound so great and then it dawned on me that it wasn't until I got my speakers that it all came together. So yes, it's all system dependent.

All the best,
Nonoise
I am currently using solid core wires only. Of all the cables tried, they seem to follow along the tunes better. When it comes to wire design IMO less is always more. It is not uncommon for Hi-Enders to try a variety of cables within the same price range only to find the sound to be different and not necessarily better. Wire companies know that only too well, and they excell at selling different sounds and not necessarily better.
As for me, I try to focus on simple designs coupled with high quality cables, the little known Shishido silver and copper. All single wire (as opposed to multi wire, solid core which IMO is tantamount to stranded wire). The sound is dense and musical, sweet and organic without being sirupy or veiled whatsoever. I wouldn't dare venturing again in that maze of solid vs hollow ribbon vs geometric etc. etc.
Since my earlier post about using all solid core, I did a tweak. Brass conducts less effectively than copper, and I so I took my cheap banana plugs out of the loop. I also used DeOxit on all of the connections. I'm getting better highs now.

On using romex or "HomeDepot" wire, there is a drawback. Larger gauge copper has skin effect, and the wire will also oxidize quickly compared to OFC.
I concur on removing the terminations. My Mapleshade Double Helix are simply bare wire and sound all the better for it. I've read on other sites where some have removed the terminations on their Anti-Cables for better sound.

As for gauge, the Mapleshades are around 18 ga which seems to hit a sweet spot of sorts. Works like a charm.

All the best,
Nonoise