Solid core OFC vs stranded OCC copper

thank you for replays

Well regarded Neotech NES 3002 2 x 9 AWG speaker cable got 19 solid cores per phase

Audioquest, Kimber also use multi solid core

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.

@auxinput,

thank you very much for support

appreciated very much 

Litz is the way to go. Cardas, Zavfino, LessLoss all use this design and process and make quality products, Zavfino is more reasonable in pricing. 

Neotech makes OCC up to 12 awg both solid and stranded ,

so why would you want solid OFC ? 

I think that from practical point 12 AWG solid core Is thick and not flexible to work with and to use. Also, for bass I like to have 11 AWG

I fear that 12 AWG solid core will be hard to bend

I am not sure though how flexible would be 8 x 20 AWG or 5 x 18 AWG

there Is a reason that some brands use smaller multi solid cores In their speaker cables

@sasho - if each strand is insulated - the problem with running parallel strands of wire is that you increase the capacitance of the finished cable - much like Kimber Kables products, which have a relatively high capacitance compared to many other brands.

Some systems do not like the higher capacitance, whereas other systems are not bothered by it.

But it can be an expensive lesson to learn

You can run 2 x 16 gauge or 2 x 14 gauge wires without loosing too much flexibility

I run 2 x 14 gauge solid bare wires, where each wire is inside it’s own teflon tube that has a larger inside diameter then the diameter of the wire.

• Using a Teflon tube for insulation actually reduces the capacitance because the insulation is only ever in contact with a very small percentage of the surface area of the actual wire
  • because the tube does not collapse around the wire, like cotton or silk, it creates a tiny layer of.air between the wire and the teflon tube
  • for wires that have a moulded teflon insulation the contact area between the wire and the insulation is close to 100%
• This approach results in a very low Dielectric Constant (DK)

e.g.

• Teflon’s DK is 2.2
• Foamed Teflon has a value of 1.45
• Silk and cotton is 1.3
• air is 1.1 and a vacuum is 1.0

Lowering the DK improves clarity and details and as a result, the image is far more realistic.

I use solid wire because trying to accomplish this with a stranded wire is extremely difficult, but unfortunately it does make for a stiffer cable, so I use a stranded wire for the neutral, which provides some flexibility and assists ia a more natural curve to the finished cable,

Hope that helps

Steve,

greetings and thanks for support

Would you please take a look at Neotech NES 3002 2 x 9 AWG speaker cable

It uses 19 Individual solid core strands with pvc Insulation per single conductor

there are reports It Is very good sounding cable 

do you have experience with that cable compared to your Helix cable

what Is you first and second choice to date for solid core OCC hook Up wire

@sasho - I have no experience with the Neotech NES 3002 2 x 9 AWG speaker cable cable.

While it may well be a very good cable i.e. compared to other brands on the market, it’s touted benefits are proabably due in large part to the UP-OCC copper used

Based on what I see of the cable geometry, compared to my Helix AIR cables, there is an aweful lot of Teflon insulation used on seperate wires, together with PVC insulation, which would contribute to high DK values, so the overall the capacitance of this cables would probably be quite high like Kimber Kables wire,

• which is not a problem with Tube amps, but some high current solid state amps might not like this cable.
• Because of the high DK values the clarity, details and image would not be as good as the Helix AIR geometry

The Helix AIR approach to cables provide exceptionally low Dielectric Constant (DK) values, which mitigates cable distortions to extremely low levels, making it one of the best approaches for clarity, details and imaging

But - If the Helix DIY AIR is not for you, I would recommend taking a look at Zavfino cables. They use UP-OCC solid copper coupled with good cable geometry and their high end use Graphine, which apparently results in lower DK levels

Speaker Cables - ZavfinoUSA

As for my choice of UP-OCC wire

1. OCC6N Copper Hook-Up Wire (partsconnexion.com)
2. Neotech Copper PTFE Solid Hook-Up Wire (partsconnexion.com)

I have tried both of these in the Helix AIR geometry cables and #1 was noticebly better, but not by a HUGE margin, just a little more dynamic

Hope that helps - Steve

No romance agree yes there is difference between solid core and strand.Try monster cable they are strand, and Audioquest solid core.Strand do sound grainy and thinner.Solid core are cleaner sounding and better tonal balance in general.In my system strand for tubes and solid core for solid state.my o2 cents

Hi all.  I'm trying to avoid experimentation and looking for a cost effective recommendation around under $5 per foot for14awg copper wire to be used internal wiring from crossover to speaker drivers that would have realistic imaging, soundstaging and neutral sound signature.  

I was thinking initially to use solid core like I'm using from the amp to binding posts but realize it may be a little difficult to deal with being multple conuctors of solid. So I'm also considering stranded since it would be much more flexible.  

Also, would star quad or other geometry be overkill to use internally?

@eyecatcher127 

Who  manufactures the speakers and  What size and type wire is being used now ,  have you or are you going to upgrade the crossovers ?

On the Thiel forum there is a lot of conversation about internal wiring ,  I myself rewired using Cardas 17.5awg for the tweeter , midrange and using 15.5awg for the woofer , where the original wiring was 18awg solid  .  I have also upgraded the components on the crossovers .

@vair68robert I'll check out that forum.  They are ascend 3way with 6-1/2" seas drivers and raal ribbon. The designer has a new upgrade kit that is a klippel nfs redesign of crossover and updated drivers keeping the existing wiring and cabinet.

I invested in the kits, and I'm going to do the install. That is why I'm considering to upgrade the hookup wiring while I have eveything apart. The original wiring appears to be a niclely twisted pair of silver tinned changda 600v 14awg hookup wire with push connectors and soldered to the tweeter and crossofer. I'm considering using cardas, aq, canare but may just leave it alone since i'm sure i know it will change the sound and unknown if the change in capacitance would promote phase shift etc.  

@eyecatcher127 

It's very cool that that the manufacture makes an upgrade kit for the crossovers , but new drivers too !

Whichever way you go from my experience I'd stay away from silver plating over copper wiring , either use pure copper or pure silver  .

I use the Neotech Sahara cables, they are rectangular OCC copper they sound superior to the round OCC but very expensive and the silver rectangular OCC is really crazy price, but the sound quality is exemplary.

I will say it again.  Some people cannot hear differences between stuff like wiring, caps, etc.  And because they can't hear differences they believe that noone else can.   True, they get to save money.

I’m a believer in OCC copper. My speaker cables are OCC copper, and most of my interconnects are also OCC copper. 

tjag

if you tried the new tech silver and copper and they saw in a terrible that means your equipment is crap, OCC single crystal copper and silver are far superior to anything OFC on the market at any price that was proven over 50 years ago so if they sounded bad in your system you haven't got very good equipment because single crystal lets everything through good or bad so obviously what you're hearing is how bad your other equipment is.