Brian, welcome to the somewhat confusing world of cabling. I think much of the confusion is actually introduced by the manufacturers themselves. If you compare let's say, 10 different cables, by 10 different manufacturers, they will all have their own "proprietary" way of doing things. A lot of these "proprietary" ways are actually procedures that almost all manufacturers are using.
As you read about shielding, you must first determine the reasons said manufacturers are shielding. Some manufacturers shield for RFI/EMI rejection, some shield for field suppression (an electrical field created by a conductor passing current). And Yes, if shielding is improperly utilized, it can make for a sonically "dead" sounding cable.
There are very few manufacturers providing sensible reasoning as to why their design/manufacturing procedures work. They just simply state that they do in fact work and provide the "best sound". What the hell does that mean?
I come from an engineering background. It is very hard to sell me on how things work. I need to know why. It's a personal issue I've learned to live with. I'm going to refer you to a site that I have referred many people to. I am referring you for one reason, and one reason only. It makes sense.
This is my own personal disclaimer: I am not referring you because of any specific brand. I am referring you because the reading although somewhat brief, is quite interesting. It is probably one of the only manufacturers that cuts through some of the crap. I'm sure that there are certain manufacturers that would prefer not to have this type of information disclosed.
I hope this helps and provides some additional insight.
http://www.latinternational.com/index.php/page-10020.html
As you read about shielding, you must first determine the reasons said manufacturers are shielding. Some manufacturers shield for RFI/EMI rejection, some shield for field suppression (an electrical field created by a conductor passing current). And Yes, if shielding is improperly utilized, it can make for a sonically "dead" sounding cable.
There are very few manufacturers providing sensible reasoning as to why their design/manufacturing procedures work. They just simply state that they do in fact work and provide the "best sound". What the hell does that mean?
I come from an engineering background. It is very hard to sell me on how things work. I need to know why. It's a personal issue I've learned to live with. I'm going to refer you to a site that I have referred many people to. I am referring you for one reason, and one reason only. It makes sense.
This is my own personal disclaimer: I am not referring you because of any specific brand. I am referring you because the reading although somewhat brief, is quite interesting. It is probably one of the only manufacturers that cuts through some of the crap. I'm sure that there are certain manufacturers that would prefer not to have this type of information disclosed.
I hope this helps and provides some additional insight.
http://www.latinternational.com/index.php/page-10020.html