Cable Asylum

Metallic interfaces and intermodulation distortion.

71.141.232.197

In Reply to: RE: Shield material effect on sound posted by thom70 on February 04, 2008 at 04:37:29

You have rediscovered the conventional DIY wisdom of avoiding tinned copper conductors for revealing audio cables.

The shield acts to protect the enclosed conductors from low frequency electric fields. At higher frequencies, the shield itself acts as an electrical resonator. A shield made of tinned copper not only resonates, but the nonlinear conduction at the copper-solder interface adds intermodulation of the RF and audio signal.

Silver-plated copper would have less of this issue, as the silver is more conductive than the copper at RF (the tinning is less conductive than copper), but would support more resonance.

Bare copper will eventually corrode due to atmospheric pollution. The oxide and sulfide are semiconductors, which will make the interface problem get worse over time. Pro Gold is reported to retard copper corrosion.

Follow Ups:

RE: Metallic interfaces and intermodulation distortion. - thom70 16:02:09 02/04/08 (1)
- Consider also that it may have been constructed incorrectly. - bartc 17:42:05 02/04/08 (0)

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.