Shotgun with different cables


Normally a so-called shotgun cable configuration is referred to as two IDENTICAL sets of speaker cables per channel connected to a SINGLE termination pair a BOTH the speaker and amplifier side.

Now, I’ve had and still has made very good sonic findings running two DIFFERENT pairs a speaker cables per channel, in my case combining a solid-core silver cable (Mundorf SIlver/gold) and a stranded, tinned copper cable (Duelund DCA16GA). Please note I’m not bi-wiring, but simply running two different cables from one termination point a the amp to one termination point at the speakers (of course in an identical fashion for each channel and ’+’ and ’-’ as well). As an outset I’d find running identical cable sets in a shotgun configuration a less interesting idea than going for a complimentary effect in combining two different cables. So why I am hearing of this configuration so rarely, if at all?

I’m guessing there’s a theoretical stance that would hold this kind of configuration a non-preferable solution (electrical properties gone "haywire," so to speak), in light of it being rarely used /talked about. But again, why really - what’s the technical (and theoretical) explanation that would have us shy from the solution of different cable sets in a shotgun configuration? But most importantly, where’s the actual (non-biased) experience - that is, experience that has come to fruition in likely not being affected by (a possible) theoretical consensus?

Let this be a challenge: try a shotgun configuration with two different sets of speakers cables, and let us know YOUR sonic findings.
128x128phusis

Showing 1 response by blindjim

Why don’t we hear about the positive results from the use of two different and separate spkr cables from amp to speakers more often?

I’ve used commercial & industrial monofiliament and multi stranded. Varying AWG. Vampire. Monster. Telephone cables. CAT 6 ethernet cables. If kite string worked as well as it did between two oatmeal boxes carrying electrons, I’d have used that too. And may yet again. Maybe.

It’s a pretty simple matter. Find insulated conductors from varying sources, varying AWG and metallurgy, get out your tape measure, by a pair of dykes and get after it or them and begin taking notes!

… and not merely intentioned speaker wires. Check out extension power cords. Communication cabling,Ethernet cables, and maybe too, fiber optical conduction.

I’m not being denigrating or demeaning, just pointing out other methods previously mentioned on these pages for spkr wire substitutions or replacements in years past.

Once we arrange a conductor from point to point, regardless how many strands, conductors, separately sheathed compliment or not, we then electrically have one conductor, fundamentally.

Essentially we have at that point simply aided or added existing problems in transmitting electrical energy by significantly altering the basics, inductance, resistance, capacitance, and in all, impedance. Formidable alone or en mase, now with the addition of a secondary or even third pair of cables we still haven’t addressed the effect of the cables own ‘dialectric’ or insulation. Neither were termination, solders twists, or metallurgy more than superficially investigated.

…and why should they be? Or will they be delved into at all?


Any bi-wire spkr cable will possibly see duty as one link at some point down the road in a stereo system. Primarily due to the fact only one pair of spkr terms exist on a particular transducer needs to be connected, and the current spkr wires on site are bi and not single terminated cables.

I’ve done this several times. Never felt the need to express those results publicly. The spkr cables performed as well terminating into one pr of spkr connections as they worked connecting to four individual connections on another spkr. In other words, the same influence the bi wires had as designed were the same results using them as singles.

The real issues here are not the electrical or theoretical ones, but the obvious indemic and inherent traits of the registered audiophile, practically speaking:

Tradition. Confusion. Sloth. Ego. Expense. OCD.

Traditions say use what is supposed to be used, and like good little audio nuts we comply. Often thereafter only adding ‘jumpers’ to our single term spkr wires, which has yet to be mentioned as a course of action.

Confusion.
There’s sufficient consternation in ferreting out which pair of spkr wires will do the job, to begin with versus the notion of which ‘two’ pairs of wires should be used. Why then, further complicate an already veiled matter?

Sloth.
Once we stumble onto the ‘one’ we often quit looking. Previous to this destination we do a ton of seeking and searching so we are very tired and quit once we have justified and rationalized ourselves into believeing we are electronic Gods and no other solution could possibly be better.

Expense
Wires ain’t cheap. they don’t smell good. They are not complimentary or even good conversationalists. They demand we reconsider having another child, or selling off one of those already on hand to pursue yet one more possibility we could not otherwise afford.

OCD.
Here is wehre we find out those who really have a problem. Here we unearth those card carrying sorts for whom nothing can remain the status quo… for long.

Rationalization and justification are transfixed in a steel cage match for ultimate supremacy. Ego is the promoter of the match and the only winner is the industry itself.

Fear or our own concerns for budget cries out things are too expensive!! Ego or “I” intimates deeply within our psyche we can devine a resolution that is not one of enormous cost and likely will be superior to those uber pricey ones with printed labels costly metal coatings, and sleek jacketing.

From wherever the argument is borne the struggle thereafter is the owner’s lot. The saddest disposition is there will be no peace. The results will regularly be merely those of disparity, or differences amongst the cadre of mixed possible remedies, as it would be were the experiments had been conducted using more traditional ‘ready rolled’ wire offerings from well regarded cable makers.

Albeit the electronic obstacles in the mix are observable and measurable elements all conductors contain the wild card is always us.

As simplicity regularly is the best path for nearly every situation we often feel a severe need to complicate it. Fingerprint it.

Don’t fix it if it ain’t broken. I’m a fix it till it breaks kind, but I’m getting better. Now I walk away if it’s only severely wounded.

Always ensure the difference you enjoy is not merely different but is indeed better. This assignment does not require anything beyond an honest objective assessment.

Please, post your results once you have determined a cost effective solution which bests all the rest, or even some of them. Make that a few of them. OK.. if its only better than the most expensive speaker cables being sold presently.

Works for me. Thanks.

VERy Very good luck.