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Speaker wires

May 31st, 2020, 9:44 pm

I decided to search through my pile of speaker wires to try some different wire to see if I could change the seasoning of the sound.
I was surprised to find no matter how far back I stripped the insulation the wire was corroded.
Five sets of wire and every one was corroded.
I threw it all out, probably thirty pounds of the stuff, some very expensive stuff.
Kimber 8 conductor, braided, probably 30 feet of the stuff.
Twenty feet of a very special Hitachi wire I used for along time. It was a favorite.
Presently I am using Dave Raden’s thermostat wire. I little bright for me, but very good.
I wish I had some varnished mag wire to use, where are all the radio shacks have gone?

Re: Speaker wires

May 31st, 2020, 9:52 pm

Pelliott321 wrote:I wish I had some varnished mag wire to use, where are all the radio shacks have gone?


Look on ebay, mag wire is easy there...

Roscoe

Re: Speaker wires

May 31st, 2020, 9:53 pm

You can also get it at Digi-Key in different gauges and insulations:

https://www.digikey.com/products/en/mag ... net%20wire

Re: Speaker wires

June 1st, 2020, 6:28 am

I apologize for trying to be funny with the mag wire comment. Mag wire was the rage for speaker wire years ago.

Re: Speaker wires

June 1st, 2020, 8:46 am

Whenever the group starts holding meets again, perhaps you could have a speaker wire competition. Bring along your favourite pair.

Mag wire is for wimpish systems. 'That's not speaker wire. This is speaker wire'.

https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Dakota-Rustic-Barbwire-Authentic/dp/B071DRDLZZ/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=barbed+wire&qid=1591015084&sr=8-13

ray

Re: Speaker wires

June 1st, 2020, 9:25 am

The only difference between the thermostat wire and varnished mag wire is the insulation and number of conductors, depending on how many lengths of mag wire you use. And the thermostat wire is way easier to terminate. Try using fewer conductors. Or if you twist the mag wire try using one thermostat cable for plus and minus instead of separate cables for each. You'll get more capacitance that way which may knock down the highs a little. That said, I suspect the problem is not the speaker cable.

Re: Speaker wires

June 1st, 2020, 11:36 am

IMO here is the list of things that make most difference to sound in order of their influence on the sound

1. Room Acoustics
2. Speakers
3. Amplifiers
4. Pre Amp
5. DAC/Photo
6. Capacitors
7. Wires

Did I miss anything?

Re: Speaker wires

June 1st, 2020, 11:51 am

Yes
Yourself.
Ambient temperature
Atmospheric pressure
Alignment of Mars in the seventh house of Usgorag

Re: Speaker wires

June 1st, 2020, 12:23 pm

ratbagp wrote:Whenever the group starts holding meets again, perhaps you could have a speaker wire competition. Bring along your favourite pair.

Mag wire is for wimpish systems. 'That's not speaker wire. This is speaker wire'.

https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Dakota-Rustic-Barbwire-Authentic/dp/B071DRDLZZ/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=barbed+wire&qid=1591015084&sr=8-13

ray


I heard that when using this wire all the notes are sharp.

Re: Speaker wires

June 1st, 2020, 12:35 pm

Source material, humidity, line voltage, line noise...
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