OCC cables anyone?

Yes. And, if you search Audiogon for "OFC" and "OCC" quite a few posts on it as an example here:

This may sound a little goofy, but I find the terminal ends have the most prolific effect on sound. Cables sound different but terminal ends and how they are attached to the cable really make a difference. NO SOLDER. Binding screws that are like metal or thick clad if copper is plated. I pay close attention to the pockets where the cables are joined to the terminal. I pressure join or use screws, no solder.

Red copper
Red copper silver clad
Pure silver

I stay pretty close to that too.

I also find it's the cover more so than composition in copper too. I can't tell the difference when wiring sub/bass with OFC vs OCC. Mids with teflon, pretty close.

Good OFC is GOOD material if you pay attention how it's drawn threw the die, terminal ends, covers and NO solder.

I've been using a HiOCC/teflon 16-24 strand weave that is top of the line. It's a plug and drop cable to, 50 hours tops 100 hours you know what it's going to sound like forever.

Regards

@zavato - having built countless cables over the years using Copper, OFC copper, Tinned copper Silver, Silver alloy and most recently UP-OCC copper, I would have to say that UP-OCC copper is my current preference

There are also differences between 5N UP-OCC copper and 6N UP-OCC copper that can be heard (believe it or not)

The areas that I find are improved include (in order)

1. dynamics - much faster than the other materials listed above
2. details - such as the micro details of the Venue acoustics
3. imaging - more spacious, with greater precision of artist placement

But to make a cable really "shine" also requires

1. a great cable geometry
2. the best insulations

Both of these contribute to the clarity, image and lower noise floor of the cable.

Some people do prefer a "smoother" sounding cables and will opt for wire like

1. Duelund Tinned Copper in a Cotton/Oil insulation
2. Mundorf Silver with 1% gold
3. VH Audio UP-OCC copper in the AirLok insulation

All three of these will remove "some" of the detail, and will "appear" as being a little less harsh, or smoother 

You also have to factor in the various components i.e. the "Synergy" of the system

But it is not a case of which is better

• there is no right or wrong at this level of performance
• it IS a case of personal preference

I do agree with the post above WRT the connectors - they also make a huge difference and using a poor connector may negate any advantage that using UP-OCC wire will provide

I use KLE Innovations Absolute Harmony RCA’s and their Banana plugs also

In ALL my cables, UP-OCC copper prevails because for ME it provides the best bang for the buck

But I am about to try a 5N UP-OCC solid silver wire in my interconnects, just to see what transpires.

So that may change my mind :-)

Regards - Steve

My post from 2014:
Audiogon Discussion Forum

Neotech and vh audio are my wires...find that interconnect (v twist) has made biggest plus in cable/eti/aeco connectors...using neotech/12 strand for jumpers.

I did a budget cable shootout last summer and they all were very close...In the end i chose vh audio 12 quad...which was $ than.

Mogami 3104... furez fz124as...canare 4s12...Canare 4s11

Furez was the only one that had properties/dialectic like the vh audio...that was detectable...i still need some hrs on them but...but my gear was hating me for it.

That was a good post as well noromance...And would agree the ends are alot of what the final say/sound is,ultimately the soundstage that vh/v twist produced has the qualities that just made it a done deal...as steve spoke about.

Always interesting to hear the latest Mr. williewonka. I use two pairs of your RCAs that are Tinned OFC copper. OFC is just fine. :-) MX110/C20 (either or) and a MC225. I use your RCAs two pairs. I've never seen a soul walk away from that combo not shaking their head. Nothing sounds like that with push pull small planars. The interconnects are the BOMB. I been using the 16 strand OCC/teflon and red copper interconnects as speaker cabling for the same setup. 

We didn't have this stuff or the planars/ribbons I use, in the 70s. Cables made a lot of difference in the SQ from when I first got the gear. OCC with good silver plating and very thin teflon in a ribbon is hard to beat too. Simple, easy to build, I really like them. :-)

Regards

Last night I swapped back to my OCC version of exact same interconnect cables, with the same design, length, same connectors as my OFC pair, made by the same Co. It becomes more of a comparison of the different metal used.  

Its still a surprise to me after years of testing and validating this - how its possible to actually hear deeper into the sound stage, with more detail and separation of individual instruments with OCC vs. OFC. Its not always "better" in all cases.  

There are times I also appreciate the different type of tone, texture, and mid-sound stage the OFC copper offers even with its noted granular flaws in the metallurgy strands. In my setup, the same OFC interconnects can offer a bit more of a vintage type of tone, which is fun too. I like both for different reasons. I still find myself swapping back and forth every once in a while between the two different types.  

@oldhvymec, can you suggest some good screw-in RCA and XLR connectors to me?  or some other non-soldering methods to attach wires to the connectors?  I'm going to embark on a DIY cable adventure in the next month or two and am still in the planning phase.

Replaced some wiring in my preamp set up with 12 and 16 gauge UP-OCC in Teflon. Nice improvements all 'round like moving up a level in a cartridge family. 

fai_v6 posts

02-03-2022 11:38am

@oldhvymec, can you suggest some good screw-in RCA and XLR connectors to me?  or some other non-soldering methods to attach wires to the connectors?  I'm going to embark on a DIY cable adventure in the next month or two and am still in the planning phase.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The best to use is what Steve recommends (williewonka) on XLR and RCA. Personally I have a mom and pop overseas do both for me anymore. My hands are only good for 15 minutes 3 to 4 times a day.. 

If you want one of the best cables on earth check out his DIY. No need to reinvent an already great cable, RCAs. XLRs I use a #8 weave copper/silver clad. OFC and OCC/PTFE. 29-79.00 a pair why bother.. :-) I use my hand for cabinet work ONLY unless I have to.. 

Yup, I wore my hands out.. 16 places (now) bone on bone. I had over 20. at least my thumbs work again..:-) 

Regards

@williewonka care to share construction info on pre > power interconnects? 8 foot run. Shielding?  TIA.

http://www.image99.net/blog/files/category-diy-cables.html

Try this. noromance

@oldhvymec - thanks for responding - much appreciated 👍

@noromance those are my cables

Take a look at this thread to see what other members think of them

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/duelund-conversion-to-diy-helix-geometry-cabling

If you got to the last page you will see the latest "recipe" for a truly outstanding (but a little pricey) Interconnect that I just completed.

If you have any questions just ask

Regards - Steve