Propeller Head Plaza Technical and scientific discussion of amps, cables and other topics.

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RE: Cable article link

Posted by tomservo (M) on December 4, 2013 at 15:08:05

In Reply to: RE: Cable article link posted by audioengr on November 16, 2013 at 14:41:44:

Like they say “everything maters” but often the issue is to what degree?
The cool part for the experimenter, one can build a test rig that actually lets you hear what cables do to the signal while passing it.
Obtain two good microphone or wide band signal isolation transformers (like Jensen etc) same model etc.

The high Z primary (for a mic trans) or input sides + and – for each are connected one transformer for each cable end, thus the signal across each end of the cable is the input for each transformer.

Then, the transformer outputs are connected in series BUT are out of polarity so that two exactly equal input signals cancel out.
Fwiw, a further refinement is a trimmer pot so that when both inputs are connected to the same source, the null or cancellation is as deep as possible.

It is easier to use the inputs from a good sound card etc but with that set up it is risky to audition loudspeaker cables this way.

Either way, when passing a signal, ANY difference between the input and output ends shows up as a signal that didn’t cancel out and so there is a sum which you can amplify and listen to with headphones etc.

You can also disconnect one end temporarily and audibly compare the magnitude of the sum or difference relative to the actual signal.

Best of all you can do this “sum difference auditioning” with any music you choose, any level you choose and with speaker cables (using signal transformers and using resistive attenuators if running at more than a watt or two).
Best,
Tom

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