I think a lot of the differences between wires boils down to how the wire is made. Cold rolled or die extruded? Molten or grown? Quenched or annealed? IMO, the reasons for different sound are largely based on the answers to these questions because in the end, silver is an element of the periodic table. However, the lattice structure of wire can be vastly different from the pure element, depending on how it was made and shaped. Afterall, we are counting on the lattice to pass the signal. Shielding can be done effectively rather easily and has been done so for years so I think the real issue happens before the cable is even put together. That is my 2 cents.
Arthur
Arthur