As usual in audio, @koestner , you have received conflicting replies and will have to rely upon your own good judgement about what to do. It’s probably clear, I don’t think much of the magic by which expensive cables work. I call it "magic" because although physics can send people to the moon and get them back, it can’t explain the (sighted) differences that people hear with cables, pucks, crystals and such things. Some feel that psychology and statistics provide an explanation. Not that cables can’t sound slightly different from one another. However, the difference usually is dwarfed by moving the speakers or listener a few inches. Some use cables as tone controls. A person might prefer an equalizer, which would allow one to change the tone control to suit various recordings. For cables, I use what many pros use: Mogami, Belden, or Canare wire with good-quality Amphenol or Neutrik connectors. They are not the only choices for well engineered, neutral products, just a few reliable ones. Whatever you decide, I hope it sounds great to your ears! |
@holmz You are correct in both points but it does not necessarily prove me wrong. Any lowering in impedance, say from an improved dielectric and quality of conductor typically results in a faster, more open sound. Yes there may be very little current, but whatever is there, you should want instantaneously. |
Interconnect cables are typically voltage devices as the input impedance is very high.
The speed of electricity is the same in all conductors, and it is about a million times higher than the speed of sound. |
As far as RCA sub cables go, I’ve only compared DH Labs sub cables, and not against cables that are meant for full frequencies. That said, the DH Labs Thunder cable, which is made of pure silver coated copper conductors, proprietary shielding and solid copper connectors were much higher performers than the DH Labs Sun Sonic cable which uses copper conductors. Stepping up to the Thunder resulted in much improved speed, definition and amount of kick. The Sub Sonic was much rounder and slower in comparison. |
There is no need for a special cable for subs. If anything, they are less demanding than full-range components. Current delivery is not an issue if you are talking about an active (amplified) sub whose input is a line-level signal. They are driven by voltage and have relatively high input impedance, so they draw almost no current. In summary, any decent-quality RCA cable (shielded, please!) will do. |
It will depend on who you ask, but most people who believe in investing in quality cables including me will say yes. I say it like this because any cable thread is bound to go south on this forum. Sub cables typically have differences in both the conductor and/or dielectric (shielding) to prioritize the current delivery of lower frequencies and needed speed without worrying about the tone of the higher frequencies. Grounding quality is also highly paid attention to as many sub cable runs are longer and use RCA, whereas typical RCA interconnects should be 2M or less as to keep noise at a minimum. |
