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Bad Cable advice for new system and an important topic

All opinions are valid, but there is good advice and bad advice. This is 16 ga wire with gimmicky insulation, a ribbon configuration which I have never heard sound good. No info on copper type or insulation. They seem unusually focused on cosmetics, always a very bad sign.

IC's look to sound even worse.

Sorry, but I would avoid even if it were free.

They do manage to exploit one audiofool buzz word: directionality. This is a contentious topic and an impressive marketing tool. Here is my opinion, formed after more than a few years of buying, building, listening to various cables. Everyone has their own ideas, and they're all valid, but I have proven this to myself more than once.

Unless there is a difference in connectors or construction between ends of a cable, the wire itself is not directional until a signal (current) has passed through it for some time. That amount of time varies with the amount of current (signal strength) and the wire itself. You will know it when you hear it. There is no rule, and there is no measurement, and there is no way to determine "directionality" in advance. Symbols printed on a wire are only symbols printed on a wire. It is merely secret code for "buy me."

After that period of orientation, the wire is somehow biased to sound better in that direction until it is reversed. Then it will not sound as good until after the same amount of time has passed with signal flowing in the opposite direction to "rebias" it. Immediate comparison will yield a false positive for directionality and a happy audiophile confident he bought quality wire. If a tester waits until that rebiasing time passes, there will be no difference.

You can make any wire and most cables "directional" by putting a marker on either end and always attaching it with the same orientation. There is nothing more to it, unless the cable has special construction or connectors.

I can almost hear people's head exploding.

Peace,
Tom E
berate is 8 and benign is 9


Edits: 05/25/15 05/25/15
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