My experience is, long IC and short spkr wire. It always worked for me, either using tubes (EAR 519, Jadis I don't remember monos) or solid state (Kraft class A, BFA, MFA 1000m etc).
Of course, common sense dictates the opposite -- low level signal on the short cable. But there you have it!
Of course, common sense dictates the opposite -- low level signal on the short cable. But there you have it!