The molecular level explanation of "cable burn-in"


According to one cable seller

"The insulation (or dielectric) will absorb energy from the conductor when a current is flowing (i.e. when music is playing). This energy-absorption causes the dielectric's molecules to re-arrange themselves from a random order into a uniform order. When the molecules have been rearranged, the dielectric will absorb less energy & consequently cause less distortion."

So it’s the plastic polymer (as dielectric insulation) to undergo some sort of molecular rearrangements to minimize the distortion. Probably one of the greatest scientific discoveries ever!

“Many premium AC cords constrict or compress the audio transient as their characteristic impedance restricts the transient current.”

We all know impedance restricts current but how possibly “many” premium AC cords constrict/compress the audio transient (when not carrying audio signal)? Then again is it achieved by this molecular rearrangements of the cable insulation?

Unfortunately there are no measurement data or mathematical formulas to be found to back up this amazing scientific discovery. Simply “it happens”. So I came up with a formula for them.

∆E = P - SoT

∆E: energy absorbed by dielectric

P: energy (power) drawn from wall outlet

So : Smake Oile

T: Dielectric Transition Temperature

classicrockfan

@rodman99999 All good…. i’m mostly in your camp… The moniker is my favorite salmon fishing plug… A serious boat and multi-quarry season make high end audio SEEM affordable ….

 

Ido hang out a few hours a day working in the Quantum computing aka bleeding edge industry… A great read for the Luddites is of course Surely You’re Joking Mr. Feynman.

While, i also fondly miss Almarg, i think he would like myself be the first to say we don’t as yet know everything and that lots of very interesting science is happening outside of Physics and EE. My memory is he worked on radar gear…. my own experience w phased arrays both orbital and not is that the absolute frontier of high performance is… still partly a black art. …..

I parse my consumption of threads like this…mostly to define who to skip over and who to focus on….. love to learn…

Of course, i believe forming a dielectric  and maintaining that state is important…. the amplifiers i use have a 128v DBS circuit for just that purpose…..

You ( those high on PS audio advice on speakers…should poke Paul about Octave and the microphone collection / selection…. my position would be work transducers hard… and for those in the digital world, PRAY they used a fantastic A2D….

@classicrockfan -

Is F=ma one of his theories? I know his theory of gravitation but not sure about his other theories.

    The main of the EFEs I'm thinking of is: G+A= kT, but- if the, "a" in your formula is lamda: YES!      We're on the same page.

 

     You do realize: that you own Kimber products, already puts you in the, "better cable" klan, right?

      Kimber (to my knowledge) has never made an inferior product, or- one that didn't punch above it's price range, as some would say.

       If you read my prior post, regarding how I'd suggest a power cable might be designed, you'll note my mention of Teflon dielectric and Litz.    Your 8TC speaker cables are a big Teflon dielectric, Litz (braided) cable.

       The design has been, "good enough" for a LOT of people, for a LOT of years and why they're still being made.

       They're good enough for my driven subwoofers and I could probably live with them on my mains (though I'd rather have 12TC), if I ever had to give up my Big Silver Ovals).

        Even Kimber's PBJ will outperform a lot of higher priced cables, IF your appetite leans towards a more faithful signal transfer.

         I had Heroes on a couple sources, a few decades back.   Tried a number of other of the better regarded brands and have been using pairs of KS1030 and KS1130, for the past 20ish.    I just feel they've remained consistent with the rest of my components and their upgrades.

"Do you know what EMI filter does" and so on.

         Yes.   I've a few decades of electronic repair, restoration, upgrading and building, behind my comments.

          One thing even the most inane EE should recognize: however good the filter, the cleaner whatever goes in: the less work the filter has to do and the cleaner the output.

           Typically: the first upgrades and/or replacements  I address in whatever the component, are in the power supply, because: that's to what you're going to be listening.

           I also mentioned that a power supply with a choke may respond less, to a high dollar PC, as they clean up a lot of what makes it through the rectifiers, x-former, caps, etc.

                                              Happy listening!

 

Two Styrofoam cups and 20 feet of string works great for me.

I order drinks from my wife, Wilma, in the kitchen for my friend Barney and me.

 

Fred,

Yabadabbadoo!

rodman99999

Thanks for all your inputs. Filtration through the common mode choke EMI combined with galvanic isolation of the transformer should be able to eliminate unwanted signal noise completely. This is not my opinion but one of the established principles of signal electronics. But I agree with you on "   however good the filter, the cleaner whatever goes in: the less work the filter has to do and the cleaner the output." Happy listening!

You got the usual response from the folks who have crap for audio systems, can’t be bothered to try, or have genetically inferior hearing.

That said I think you have left out a lot for other factors on cable break in.

One of many others that can’t ignore is that electrons are physical particles and are charge aligned as they leave an amp. .
flowing thru a cable with metallurgical imperfections will cause the electrons to bounce around and get displaced in relation to each other. Overtime some level of these Imperfections will get smoothened out just like water will do to rocks overtime.

This I also believe is another factor for break in. I am sure there are more reasons causing us with better audio systems and ears to experience cable break in differences.