Solid core OFC vs stranded OCC copper

Some years ago I did a comparison on DIY power cords using the following as internal wire:

- #1 - Using cheap crap Radio Shack 20 awg solid-core copper conductors with PVC insulation (multiple wires to make a 14 awg power cord).

- #2 - Using high grade Furutech 14awg STRANDED OCC Copper power cable.

Listening tests revealed that the Furutech OCC copper provided a much higher resolution sound.

The power cord using cheap Radio Shack solid-core conductors did not have good high frequency resolution and overall sound was not quite as crisp and clear....BUT .. the Radio Shack solid core just sounded so much more natural when compared to the Furutech stranded OCC. The Radio Shack solid core has better mid-bass and midrange body. The Furutech had that low-end "Hi-Fi" type of sound and just did not sound as natural or real. If these were my only choices, it would be the crap Radio Shack wire because it was just so much more pleasant and enjoyable to listen to.

noromance's comment stating "solid core is cleaner, less confused when music is busy, and yields blacker internote spaces" is definitely a characteristic here as well.

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When comparing OFC to OCC in general, the OFC wire can sometimes be a bit harsher sounding and there is definitely a loss of resolution with OFC. Think of OFC wire as 1000 male-to-female and female-to-male plug adapters between the source and target. An OCC wire would be like having 3-5 adapters between source and target. The loss and harshness from surface contact on 1000 connections is what you get with OFC.

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There are some comments on silver interconnects. I have gotten to the point where I don’t like silver or silver-plated conductors for anything relating to analog waveforms (i.e. power cord, interconnects, speaker cable). However, all of my components are all high-resolution revealing. A solid-core silver cable could do well if your components are on the warm side.

BUT, I have found that solid-core silver is absolutely excellent for digital cables (i.e. AES/EBU or HDMI or something). The copper digital cables are on the warm side and don’t have as much resolution. Though, it is a balancing act and system synergy definitely comes into play here.

Hi mceljo.  I respect your opinion, but I have done a significant amount of testing with so many different types of cable and wire over the years.   My statement stands after listening to all sorts of different configuration (like you say - multiple wires vs. single wire, etc.).   In some cases, the multiple wire scenarios actually did better with bass and open sounding highs.

My statements above were in direct response to the original post "solid-core OFC vs stranded OCC".

Audioquest uses "true solid core" in a lot of their wires (but not everything).

Kimber uses "pseudo solid core" or almost solid core.  It actually a stranded conductor that uses only about 7 relatively thick strands per bundle.  It's still stranded, but better than most other stranded cables (which can compromise up to 30-40 tiny strands).

what do you recommend - join 8 x 20 AWG solid core strands to get 11 AWG, or join 5 x 18 AWG to get 11 AWG

@sasho - if you are using Neotech teflon coated, I would recommend 20 awg. The 18 awg can start to lose high frequency response/resolution.

However, the VH Audio UniCrystal™ OCC Copper Hookup Wire
with AirLok™ Insulation at 18 awg is superior to any of the Neotech stuff (due to the type of foamed Fluoropolymer insulation he uses. The VH Audio 18awg wire is more expensive at $6 / foot, but it’s better overall.