2. cables
  3. 1293930890

How essential is shielding?

Both my analog interconnects and my speaker cables are unshielded, yet my system is pretty much dead quiet. This is making me wonder whether the importance of shielding is sometimes exaggerated.

The majority of cable manufacturers seem to emphasize shielding as an essential feature of design. I don't doubt that there are many situations where shielding is both necessary and effective. But my results with unshielded cables makes me suspect that there are also situations where shielding is unnecessary or even detrimental, and that these situations may be more common than would be suggested by the dominance of shielded designs.

How essential do you think shielding is?

Thanks for any input,
Bryon
bryoncunningham

Showing 5 responses by muralman1

muralman1
1,527 posts
 
My system hisses when I use thick speaker cables. They actually create noise.
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
I share your experience. Both the interconnects and my speaker cables are guarded against shorts only. My system is dead quiet. Cable makers just like to spout off for personal gain.
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
Almarg states the reality of cable choice. Location is paramount. I do use the Speltz ICs because they keep up with all the improvements I otherwise make to my system.
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
All of my power cables are fully shielded with shield grounded. That is absolutely necessary for the amps I am using. All other wires are completely bereft of any insulation save for 2 ml.

I make my own SCs, and they are very thin 12 gauge ribbons. Stranded and round solid just don't sound right.
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
Bryon, as you know, the Speltz is a tightly wound small gauge wire with a no-see-um negative wire running through. Being as the two carriers are at an almost right angle to each other, I think they would be more influenced by external electromagnetic forces rather than self contaminating. What do you think?

My SCs are purposely run separate from each other.
More to discover