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Different lengths of interconnects ??????


Have you ever tried using a pair of interconnects in different lengths to connect preamp and mono block amps? Can it cause one channel delay or any phase problems?

My Preamp is placed on left side behind my active ATC speakers, but I always use a pair of interconnects in same length between my preamp and the built-in power amp of my speakers.

Now I have a chance to buy pair of Valhalla XLR interconnects in different lengths, one 1.7m and another 3.5m, from another city. They are just about the right length from my preamp to left and right channel of my speakers, and price is good. I am not sure if it is OK to use interconnects in this way. Anyone have this experience?

Many thanks!
zdeng
herman
2,215 posts
 
The reason the price is right is because he can't sell this odd pair. When you get ready to move on you'll be stuck with them too.

At the speed of light it would take the signal .000000005 seconds longer to travel down the longer cable. Sound travels about .00000045 inches in that time. However, if you believe that cables affect the sound, and evidently you do or you wouldn't buy such expensive cables, then it seems logical that a cable that is twice as long might sound slightly different than a shorter cable.

Since you will sit there wondering about it and you will be stuck with them I say pass.
kurt_tank
1,189 posts
 
Thought some of you might be interested in this, as I was curious when several people wrote that electrons move at the speed of light through wire. That did not seem correct to me, so I did a bit of investigaing. Here is what I came up with.

How Fast do Electrons move through wire

(By the way, I am not saying that what the others wrote was wrong, it was just not as correct as it could have been.)
;-)
bjesien
1,248 posts
 
Do a blind test. Have someone change them when you are not looking. My bet is that no one would ever be able to tell. Much better than casino odds here!
zdeng OP
3 posts
 

I wonder if there is anyone who has compared the unequal length of interconnects personally and can hear or feel the differences? On the other hand, one might not be able to tell the difference at the beginning, but feel uncomfortable after long listening?

The differences caused by unequal length of interconnects may not only be the speed of Electrical signals travel. The unbalance of capacitance, inductance and phase may cause more problems, but those differences may be too subtle to tell.

It is very interesting that most member in Audioasylum believe the cables must in equal length for both channel, but I do not know if they can tell the differences when the cables are in unequal length.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
>>It is very interesting that most member in Audioasylum believe the cables<<

Right. That's where all the "experts" hang out.

All you need is a keyboard to play.

:-)
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