brf,
MIT does not use OCC single crystal wire sorry they use cheap ofc wire cuz I phoned them and asked them.
UP-OCC solid core copper for speaker cable
After reading about all these expensive cables and their extravagant claims, I decided to source the same wire that goes into many of them.
I have my monoblocs underneath and therefore close to the speakers. I ordered 8 feet of 14awg UP-OCC wire (with PTFE insulation) online. It is quite springy so I clamped it gently to the bench and cut it into 4 equal lengths. Assembling it into 2 x 24" speaker cables took a few minutes. I kept it running in the same direction, just in case. Be careful to gently slice the insulation and not to scar the copper.
Anyway, the improvement in sound quality was of a high order. Large increases in speed and transparency, more air, better definition of instruments, less coloration, backing voices I never noticed before etc. The improvement in musicality was impressive.
I urge folks to try this before spending lots of money on speaker cables. I don't bother with connectors as I feel they are another item in the way but that's your call. The wire was $6 a foot.
Available here:http://www.partsconnexion.com/wire_hookup_neotech_copper_teflon.html
See a photo of my cable here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/6iot28p0weuwytn/up-occ.jpg?dl=0
I have my monoblocs underneath and therefore close to the speakers. I ordered 8 feet of 14awg UP-OCC wire (with PTFE insulation) online. It is quite springy so I clamped it gently to the bench and cut it into 4 equal lengths. Assembling it into 2 x 24" speaker cables took a few minutes. I kept it running in the same direction, just in case. Be careful to gently slice the insulation and not to scar the copper.
Anyway, the improvement in sound quality was of a high order. Large increases in speed and transparency, more air, better definition of instruments, less coloration, backing voices I never noticed before etc. The improvement in musicality was impressive.
I urge folks to try this before spending lots of money on speaker cables. I don't bother with connectors as I feel they are another item in the way but that's your call. The wire was $6 a foot.
Available here:http://www.partsconnexion.com/wire_hookup_neotech_copper_teflon.html
See a photo of my cable here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/6iot28p0weuwytn/up-occ.jpg?dl=0
82 responses Add your response
dragon_vibe, have you tried the neotech rectangular cable? the Amazon and the Sahara and if you have what is your opinion? there's a new company that has come into the audio industry called Infigo audio they're using ofc conductors in their wire and some of the reviews said it's better than OCC single Crystal I highly doubt it. |
Wow, a resurrection of an old thread. Yes, I totally agree, Neotech cable is completely outstanding. Though, it will be difficult to try to get into a cable building business. A huge part of it is marketing and perception. Also, resale value on boutique hand-made cables is going to be tough for audio end-users. At this point, they are more likely to go to brand names because of both resale and perception. It's a total misnomer because I can build a cable for less than $100 materials that will beat $2k cables. My own opinion of course. |
I found this on a cable review for Zenwave at AVREV.com and thought it would pertain here: First let’s start with the basic raw materials that all cables require, the metal. According to Dave Cahoon, “Neotech supplies lots of cable manufacturers, the highest end...if you google UPOCC audio cables pretty much every cable company that comes up will be using Neotech's wire or completed cables. Neotech is the only company producing wire using the OCC patented process, Furukowa used to but stopped in 2013 in favor of a less costly process. Also, many cable companies built their reputation using Neotech wire, then switched to a cheaper alternative.” So it seems you can buy Neotech for a pittance and terminate it your way, splurging on the terminations if desired, and have a pretty good cable by any measure. Having said that, I'm not parting with my Zu Event speaker cables. :-) All the best, Nonoise |
I’m bumping this article (if that is okay) as there are a lot of folks still blowing too much money on very expensive cables. Here is a new link to the wire: http://www.partsconnexion.com/wire_hookup_neotech_cu_tef_sc.html |
Another very interesting company is Zenwave. Due to a move and needing a longer run than my normal Teresonic cables, I bought enough of the 12 gauge Neotech cables for four long runs. Sounds very open. Bass is not quite as good as the Teresonic, and highs are not near as high, but a very nice cable.( actually a good thing, no brightness). No copper sound to the cables. Very much considering the cables above. |
@Mtrot I assume you do not mean a sub woofer connection, but the low frequency connection on a bi-wire configuration. If so, the quality of the cable is equally as important as the high frequency. The low end contains 70%+ of the music. Did you check out the DIY parts section of the Audio Sensibility website, they carry Neotech, Furutech and a few others at very attractive prices. |
Check out this small manufacture, they use the same materials as the "big" boys without the big price tag. They only use 6N and 7N OCC silver or copper conductors. http://audiosensibility.com/ |
Stranded cables have an effect on sound that I never would have believed until I swapped in the solid core Audioquest Type 4. By comparison, the sound became more focused and clear. Not that I thought I was lacking in that department, mind you. But it was quite easy to hear the difference. The result was that the imaging was superior. Lower frequencies benefitted from this by sounding more accurate. My previous wire, a stranded 12 gauge didn't have any more bass even though the Type 4 is smaller by comparison. But I am not a bass head, for best bass one might want to go up to bigger sizes. |
Interesting. For just the low frequency run in a bi-wire setup, I would think the 12 gauge would be better than the 14 gauge. Currently using an old set of Esoteric stranded 12 gauge wire for my low frequency run. How much difference will solid core versus stranded make on a low frequency connection? |
Wow, I find it odd that a big improvement in sonics could be had by swapping out 24 inch long speaker cables. I'd suggest the the old DIY pair that noromance was using had developed some issues. At any rate, I've done the exact same thing, only it was cheaper. Audioquest Type 4, buying the bulk variety for $5/ft not the $6 noromance paid. It's also less difficult to work with by the sound of it. I am using 12 foot lengths, and this is the cable that proved to me that cables do make a difference. Yes good sonics can be had by not spending much. But you can get more improvements as you go up market. It's a question of priorities and money. |
Awesome definition, I too do not like connectors but use them to sell completed cables only. I use multiple solid core UP-OCC copper wires for speakers and crossovers with FEP insulation and have found them to sonically destroy any other stranded cable I have ever used or installed for more than 25 years of speaker building and studio recording installations! |
Hey guys - I'm looking at this Neotech stuff, especially factory terminated ICs (NEI-3005). Prices are VERY affordable. Wouldn't mind trying a 2 meter pair between preamp and mono blocks. BUT I think the stuff I'm seeing is stranded and not solid core?? See link. Do they make a terminated solid core- or even individually insulated stranded?, i.e. w/Teflon insulation??. Thanks in advance for your input on this. http://www.neotechcable.com/product2_3.php# http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/sonic-craft/245685-factory-finished-neotech-interconnect-blowout.html |