Looking for Solid Core Speaker cables

Tocaro 40F (single driver, 98db sensitivity, 40watts at 8 ohm) and

Tocaro 50F (3 drivers, hence tri-amping, no crossover, 103dB sensitivity and 3x 40watt at 8ohm)

They are the informal heirs of the (in)famous Rehdeko, which in my mind where a stroke of genius.

The Tocaros are super fast, toe tapping galore and very resolving....

@total111 Wrote:

Way to many differences in amps and speakers (including crossovers, which my speakers dont have). 

What speakers do you have?

Mike

Solid state, but again super high efficiency speakers, so while the amps have plenty of reserves, typically I would stay within one watt....

DNM has two cables, one is ~16awg and one is ~18awg. Only one conductor. So 2x20awg could work .... however, as I have longer runs (20') the combination of a 18awg and a 20awg might be perfect....I'll will try and see...

The longer I am in this thread the more I realize that we all have always insufficient data and backgrounds to have a one-size fits all approach. Way to many differences in amps and speakers (including crossovers, which my speakers dont have). Hence in the end, with limited (by definition) experiments, I will be stuck with a few experiments around a star-quad config.

Cheers all. Fascinating how diverse the market is...thanks for all the input

I second the recommendation of Anti Cables but if you are using a tube amp you might also try Alpha Core Goertz. They have very low impedance and inductance but higher capacitance so they sometimes don’t work well with certain solid state amps.

As my speakers have 99db or more efficiency I definitely dont need thick wires. I am thinking 2x18awg and 2x20awg at the max or even 4x20awg. I know not typical orthodoxy but Acoustic Revive and Morrow (and DNM) seem on similar path..

@total111 

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Combined Wire Gauge Calculator

4x20awg?

Is that 4x20awg for the Pos and 4X20awg for the neg? Or 2x20awg for the pos and 2x20awg for neg?

4x20awg _  effective gauge 14awg

2x20awg =  effective gauge 17awg (slightly larger than 18awg) Too small, IMO...

I agree with small gauge wire! 

From the picture in the link it looks that one channel is twisted and hence the whole construction might just be star quad (which I like on paper). Question is really what "small awg" really means? Audioquest Type 4 seems on the larger side with 2x17awg and 2x20awg. 

As my speakers have 99db or more efficiency I definitely dont need thick wires. I am thinking 2x18awg and 2x20awg at the max or even 4x20awg. I know not typical orthodoxy but Acoustic Revive and Morrow (and DNM) seem on similar path..

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@total111 said:     05-30-2025 at 02:26pm

Second, when I said "solid core" I had a very narrow definition in my mind. Max. 2 strands in a twisted pair (or star-quad) configuration or very similar minimalistic approaches. The mentioned Kimber 8PR definitely does not meet that standard (even though interesting concept). 

Probably fine for Home Theater sound, not so much for audiophile 2 channel stereo, IMO.

This is a quote for Morrow Audio speaker cables. It pretty much mirrors other audiophile manufacturer’s speaker cable designs.

No doubt Morrow is well out of your price range though. But you’ll get the idea...

The Morrow Audio Design: 
Morrow Audio signal cables use ONLY solid core OFC (oxygen free copper) wire, NEVER stranded.  Morrow claims using this solid core wire eliminates all stranded wire distortion effects allowing you to hear much more information that was lost from the smearing effect that stranded wire produces.

2.  Many Other Cables Use Large Gauge Wire:
Different frequencies tend to ride at various depths in the wire structure; the highs, mids, and lows tend to separate which causes time and phase errors in the signal. This is commonly known as the “skin effect”. When large gauge wire is used, this problem is even greater, resulting in phase and timing errors. The soundstage is reduced and instrumental timbre is distorted.

The Morrow Audio Design:  Morrow Audio signal cables are made with only small gauge wire. The different frequencies ride at the same plane in the wire, resulting in less phase and timing errors. Morrow Audio claims this produces more accurate sound, a larger soundstage and accurate instrumental timber.

Morrow Audio SP7 Loudspeaker Cable

Note: 2.  Many Other Cables Use Large Gauge Wire:

What you are looking at buying?

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Looking into the Acoustic Revive Range of Speaker Cables using PC Triple C Wire is well worth taking the time to do so.

There are Speaker Cables with Solid Wire in both 0.9mm and 1.1mm.

I use the 0.9mm and all other used Speaker Cables are Superseded b this one.

I would really like to the trial the 1.1mm on my collection of owned Speakers, to see why it is their most highly rated and if 1.1mm is able the be a betterment as a  synergy.

I appreciate all the input. But please stick to my ask and talk about solid core design

I run Morrow Audio SP-7 speaker cables and am very happy with their performance.  I’d suggest their SP-6 line as the best bang for your buck.  

Anti Cables, I swear by them, amazing clarity and bass... Currently running the new Flex 4.2 , one of the best bargains in HiFi, blew away much more expensive cables I had before like Audience ... 

I use Acoustic Zen for everything else, they make my favorite interconnects and power cords, I tried the Anti-Cables power cord and it was terrible compared to to my Acoustic Zen Krakatoas 

I never tried the interconnects but I doubt they can compare to Acoustic Zen Absolute that I use, but I would try them someday

Albedo Silver cables are absolutely fantastic from their entry level Blue Cable on up.  https://albedo-silver.com

Tara Labs Time & Space (with return) were a great option years ago and they still sound good in my auxiliary system. I think Stereophile liked them a lot at the time. Solid core so they're a bit stiff but a very good choice if you can find a used pair.

Trying some Duelund DCA cable might change your mind on the merits of solid core. There is good reason many use it as internal speaker wire. Run the stuff bare and it will complete with far costlier alternatives. I am convinced there is something to the waxed cotton insulation that makes this cable outperform most others, solid core or otherwise. 

@total111 

Wow!  That takes me back.  Still using Type 4 on one of my systems.  I have a 30-year+  history with Audioquest as a (semi-retired) dealer.  I remember a demo a l-o-n-g time ago of the $1/ft Type 2 against a large, multi-stranded cable we were selling at the time costing many times more per feet.  You guessed it.  The Type 2 sounded better.  We become "solid core" believers on the spot, and became an AQ dealer. 30+ years later we till use AQ internally in our performance mods. Rocket 44 is  our 'go to' cable for most speaker upgrades.

It sounds like you've had good experiences with the AQ cables you mentioned.  Today's market has many legitimate offerings, and I'm sure there are some strong "bang for the buck" options for you out there.  But, I'd certainly give the newer AQ offerings a look before pulling the trigger.

I would message Chris Van Haus at VH Audio and see what he can build for you.  He carries many brands of cables and bulk wire with high end terminations.  He will custom build.  I have bought a few custom cables from him; he has always been honest with me as to what it will sound like.

Thanks for all the input. There are so many exotic and cool designs I did not know of. So appreciate all the input.

First, and I did not mention before, I need 3 runs of 21' and 3 runs of 13' of cable. Yes, I tri-amp each speaker which has 3 drivers...so a LOT of cable, which for economical reasons prevent any high-priced stuff in my situation. I am not going to spend 10k on cables ;-) 

Second, when I said "solid core" I had a very narrow definition in my mind. Max. 2 strands in a twisted pair (or star-quad) configuration or very similar minimalistic approaches. The mentioned Kimber 8PR definitely does not meet that standard (even though interesting concept). 

I was more looking for something like this https://jantzen-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/006-0085.pdf

(I ordered some to make some tests...)

And yes, I like the idea of DIY, and while the Neotech stuff looks great, some silver plated copper could work also work well....

https://www.awcwire.com/product/e20-1

Side question, I’m not that smart. Do you guys put Anti-Cables in this category or did this whole topic fly right over my midget mind ? Disparaging comments are ok, thanks. Mike B. 

I use Kimber 8PR as they put their "varistrand" grouping of solid core wires in this cable and the 8 version puts a 10 guage total into each leg. A great sounding cable for peanuts.

Cardas cables are also solid core copper and made from multiple strands of small diameter wire configured according to the golden ratio.  Many like Golden Cross or Golden Reference, which are occasionally available used at reasonable prices.

Silversmith Fidelium.

I’d recommend Ecosse Cable’s MS2.15 solid core with Monocrystal conductors. 

I have Raven cables and like them. For speakers and interconnects. Price is reasonable. 

@total111 this may work: https://www.amazon.com/WORLDS-BEST-CABLES-Foot-Audiophile/dp/B0CD1PPMJS/ref=ast_sto_dp_puis

I have been using Clear Day Double Shotgun solid silver speaker cables for years now. They are no longer made, however show up used from time to time.

@total111 

I used to use these with my Martin-Logan CLSs and they were great.  I told HP about them and so The Absolute Sound did a review of them, which was quite favorable.  They are solid copper (or silver) ribbons.  Weren't very expensive, for the copper, back then.  They have fallen off the map somewhat, but maybe you  can contact them and see what you think.

-docknow

https://bridgeportmagnetics.com/3-functions-of-goertz-cables/

Look @ Neotech bulk wire.

I’ve linked solid core copper/Teflon.

They also have solid core silver/Teflon.

I've read about a rectangular solid core wire they make, but don't know where to source it.

https://www.soniccraft.com/index.php/neotech-wire-teflon-solid-cu-c-296_175_183_221?osCsid=tir4aol7aeg62bhkap40e32015

DeKay

Every AudioQuest cable is solid core except their glorified zip cord X2 and custom installation FLEX/Slip series. 

There is a person selling a 10 foot pair of Audioquest Indigo speaker cables with spades at both ends.  They are solid core wires.   I owned a 20 foot pair years ago and I am sorry I sold them.  

Anticables

Make your own with 12 or 14 gauge OCC copper in Teflon from PartsConnexion

Harmonic Technology - Pro 9, 9+, 11, etc.

Multiple, small diameter, solid core OCC wires each individually insulated with foamed PE.

Look into the Acoustic Zen cables too.

Interesting, thanks.

I also consider similar designs to Type 4, e.g. twisted pair or star quad.

See here

Mike