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This section is designed to answer many common cable questions of
both a general/observed and technical/specific nature. Below are some answers
to frequently asked questions. Please submit additional questions via e-mail and we will promptly answer
them to the best of our ability.
STRAIGHT STATEMENTS
CABLE FABLES
MORE CABLE FABLES
TECHNICAL TENDENCIES
STRAIGHT STATEMENTS
REGARDING SPECIFIC TYPES OF CABLE
Upgrading your interconnects
will offer a sonic
improvement at least equal to a major component upgrade -- at a fraction of
the cost.
Upgrading your speaker cables allows your system
to handle all the power and musical details the components can deliver.
High quality video cable allows you to minimize
color bleed, distinguish shades of black or gray and increase picture depth
at a small cost.
WHAT
BETTER CABLES
CAN DO FOR YOUR SYSTEM
CABLE
ANALOGIES
ALL CABLES ARE FILTERS
All audio cables act as complex passive filters with
elements of capacitance, inductance & resistance. While they have
observed sonic & electrical tendencies - cables are reactive (and can
have a complimentary, neutral or derogatory effect in systems).
TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS NECESSITATE BETTER CABLE
Major advancements over the past decade in audio/video
equipment include digital processing, polymer
speaker cabinets and better surface mount circuit design. Because of these
advancements, you can hear the difference of high performance cables more
than ever before in your system. Like tires for your car.....you consider
tuned suspensions, reduced road resonance, wet pavement abilities,....
BETTER CABLES ARE LIKE CLEANING YOUR WINDOWS
Inserting low quality cables will mask and veil sonic
& visual details. Better cables are like cleaning a window or your
glasses - you realize afterwards that images are clearer
and sounds more precise.
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM HIGHER LEVEL CABLES
Generally speaking, moving up in the cable level
provides more conductor groups for lower electromagnetic effects, increased
quality of insulation for less capacitive storage and increased conductor
quality (for increased and more uniform velocity of propagation). You can
hear & see the improvement with better Straight Wire.
Cable is a
component (not accessory)
because your system won't function without it.
CABLE FABLES
FACTUAL ANSWERS TO COMMON CABLE MISCONCEPTIONS
THICKER IS ALWAYS BETTER
Basic speaker wire with two parallel conductors act as
opposing magnets which rolls off (cancels) part of the music signal. As the
conductors get big (12Ga +), electromagnetic fields distort the closest
portion of the opposing conductor (PROXIMITY EFFECT)
Better to divide the conductors into smaller,
alternating (pos,neg,pos,neg...) groups
LONG CABLE DOESN'T EFFECT PERFORMANCE
A short cable will have not just lower resistance but
less reactance (inductive & capacitive) than longer cables of the same
construction. Keep them short and at a standard length. Get cable long enough
to access components & meet future placement needs.
SILVER IS BETTER THAN COPPER
While silver offers greater theoretical conductivity
than copper by about 1%, it has a different sonic signature (clearer &
faster for highs - not as full for bass). Silver oxidizes differently and is
usually cost prohibitive. Some cables use silver plating effectively.
GOLD PLATING INDICATES A CONNECTOR IS GOOD
Gold plating is usually a very thin layer (usually over
a bright nickel base) which will resist corrosion. It looks good but is
frequently applied over low quality base metals. Other materials such as silver , rhodium & platinum have benefits which may
not be cost or application justified for audio / video systems.
MUST HAVE SAME LENGTH CABLES
The difference is not the time it takes the signal to go
through the cable, but the complex reactance (filtering) that will take place
largely due to resistance. Cable lengths within 25% of each other for
moderate to intermediate systems are not optimal but OK. Sales people should
caution customers to buy standard matching length pairs of cable in case they
change rooms, move equipment or think they might trade-in or resell the cable
INTERCONNECTS DON'T NEED TO BE SHIELDED
You cannot always predict the RF and other forms of
interference (EMI) found in many homes. Many high end
interconnect cables without proper shielding or shield termination are
hindering system performance. Most background noise and grounding problems
can be eliminated with well shielded signal & video cables. Not so
critical for most speaker cables unless you are running them
directly on AC power lines.
MORE CABLE FABLES
BARE SPEAKER WIRE IS BETTER THAN GOLD PINS or FANCY
ENDS
Bare copper, regardless of purity will oxidize &
corrode, especially with current running through it. It is better to attach a
gold plated end which will resist corrosion or cover the end with silver
solder.
HIGH CAPACITANCE IS ALWAYS BAD
Don't let consumers intimidate you because their
engineer friend told them to get the cable with the lowest capacitance per
foot (meter). It is irrelevant in most cases - only loop capacitance (total
of length x cap. per foot) is of concern for passive preamps and sensitive
(usually unstable) components. Some cables have relatively high capacitance
(120pf/ft+) but ultra-low inductance which usually
works great on tube electronics.
BI-WIRING ALWAYS MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE
Many speakers today have double sets of binding posts
which allow for bi-amping or bi-wiring. The audible
benefits of Bi-amping - Vertical (one amp for right
speaker, other for left) or Horizontal (one amp for LF, another for mids & highs) are usually clear. Bi-wiring is
especially useful when the characteristic impedance varies between the high
& low frequency segments of the speaker (i.e. 3 ohm & 8 ohm). It
helps reduce the effects of backflow EMF which can smear HF details. If the
characteristic impedance is close- the benefits of bi-wiring might not be as
clearly audible. It is better in most systems to connect with a single run
of a high quality cable than to Bi-wire with two lower quality cables.
DIRECTIONALITY IS NOT IMPORTANT
Based upon the design & shield termination of the
cable - directionality can matter. Most cable manufacturers put
directionality arrows on cables based upon research & listening
evaluations. Some models of cable are symmetrical and directionality is not
critical. You should know if the shield is connected at one end of the cable
with the negative conductors or if it is "floating".
BREAKING IN CABLES MAKES LITTLE DIFFERENCE
Just as amplifiers and speakers will sound better after
30-50 hours of use, cables may have a one-time capacitive effect when the
insulation is first exposed to current. This is especially true of cable with
"Litz" conductors or individually coated
strands. The insulation will stabilize electrically - midrange will have
greater depth & warmth. The cable will sound smoother - less analytical
in many cases.
TECHNICAL TENDENCIES
SONICS
& EXPLANATIONS OF
STRAIGHT WIRE CABLES
Making good
cables is similar to good cooking. You can give the cooking analogy:
MATERIALS
(EACH INGREDIENT HAS ITS OWN
SONIC FLAVOR AND TENDENCY)
CONDUCTORS
COPPER - good bass, solid midrange, potential variance in HF based upon
strand diameter
BETTER COPPER- better bass, clear midrange, HF less restricted if strands have less
surface corrosion
COATED COPPER - minimizes strand - strand (electrostatic) effects
HF clear if coating not too thick or poor dielectric
SILVER PLATED
COPPER - minimizes copper oxidation & adds slight HF
speed if coating is thick (2%+)
COATED
SILVER/COPPER - with thick silver (10%+)
very stable with excellent sonic tendencies.
SOLID SILVER - high velocity of propagation- HF can be too dominant bass is tight,
clean and can be lean.
INSULATIONS
POLYETHYLENE - common insulator with fair mids and highs
foamed versions are more accurate, bass is OK.
POLYPROPYLENE - tight bass, accurate midrange and sharp highscan
perform better (less absorbtion) if foamed.
HARD PTFE - strong bass, relaxed mids, HF not
restricted
FEP and skived types may pick up mechanical noise.
FOAM HYBRID
TPR - full bass, lush mids, clean
HF excellent mid bass- non resonant, spongy.
SOFT FOAM PTFE - accurate bass, lifelike mids and highs
great insulation - must be careful in manufacturing not to crush or
performance will vary.
DESIGNS
(THESE RECIPES HAVE BEEN REFINED AND
PERFECTED OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS)
SYMMETRICAL
COAX - very accurate, low inductance design provides very
uniform electromagnetic control. Tight not sloppy, detailed not bright.
We have been one of the few companies perfecting this design for over 15
years!
USED FOR SPEAKER
CABLE , INTERCONNECT & DIGITAL
STAR QUAD - low noise, smooth highs, distinct vocals, full and controlled bass
can be configured in balanced, unbalanced and noise dumping terminations. We
optimize for balanced resistance and controlled impedance.
INTERCONNECT
HELICAL ARRAY - similar design used by many companies - we optimize it. Choose
strand size for best current penetration and accurate twist (little air
space). Insulation and thickness is based on simultaneously optimizing 4
parameters. Non conductive cores allow for good
mechanical stability and control of music.
SPEAKER
CABLE, INTERCONNECT
DUAL
SYMMETRICAL COAX - Utilizes twin coaxs for great shielding and versatility in termination
options. Delivers music signals with all nuances intact - even over long
runs. Enchanting presentation with true tonality and depth. One piece of
cable with this design can carry two channels ( not
suggested for premium performance but a consideration when space is limited).
USED FOR SPEAKER
CABLE , INTERCONNECT
PROCESSES
WE TAKE A HANDS-ON APPROACH IN 'COOKING' OUR CABLES TO ENSURE
PERFORMANCE THAT APPEALS TO ALL PALLETTES.
CONDUCTOR
BRAIDING - special machines at slow speeds for low
deviation
EXTRUSIONS - temperature, moisture and cooling are highly controlled
TAPE WRAPPING - critically monitored by technicians & tension analyzers
LESS REWINDING
THAN OTHER CABLE MAKERS - unique machines we have built to
reduce handling which tends to deform or alter structure.
MECHANICAL
ISSUES
We perform serious research & development
DIELECTRIC
& JACKET COMPLIANCE - careful analysis & control
FILLER
MATERIALS - various ones for low dielectric & specific
needs
CONDUCTOR
DIAMETER / RESONANCE TENDENCY
NATURAL CABLE
RADIUS / STRESS - wall thickness, fiber braid layers and real life
application factors are carefully considered.
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