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What's the last word on audio cable?

yapaniv

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Hi
Speakers cables, Is there a difference in sound between a silver & copper cable?
For example: "Cambridge Audio Ultra 100" or "Van Den Hul The Clearwater" better than regular copper cable?
 

Hatto

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Hi
Speakers cables, Is there a difference in sound between a silver & copper cable?
For example: "Cambridge Audio Ultra 100" or "Van Den Hul The Clearwater" better than regular copper cable?
There is absolutely no sound quality difference between speaker cables. FULLSTOP.

The only difference is how much you're scammed for, nothing else.
 

fpitas

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Oh yes. In tough times you can sell that silver, whereas you won't get a lot for copper.

Oh, sound. No. No difference.
 

yapaniv

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@amirm How can it be scientifically tested when the two metals have different resistance? Can you do such a comparison please?
 

fpitas

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@amirm How can it be scientifically tested when the two metals have different resistance? Can you do such a comparison please?
I'm not Amir; but yes of course. We are here to perform any and all experiments to quell your scientific anxiety.
 

voodooless

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@amirm How can it be scientifically tested when the two metals have different resistance? Can you do such a comparison please?
He did several times. just check a few of the speaker cables he tested.. the results are always very predictably boring.
 

fpitas

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It's well known that silver cables have a brighter sound. Copper is more earth tones and mellow.
 

voodooless

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with silver cable?
What does it matter? Silver is only marginally less resistive. Better use a thicker cable then. Much cheaper! Most “silver” cables are silver plated anyway. Actual silver cables would be more than 100 times as expensive as copper.
 

fpitas

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What does it matter? Silver is only marginally less resistive. Better use a thicker cable then. Much cheaper! Most “silver” cables are silver plated anyway. Actual silver cables would be more than 100 times as expensive as copper.
No, let's be honest. There's just no comparing two cables with different resistance.

/;)
 

HarmonicTHD

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with silver cable?
Please check out the science behind it. You will find that the slight difference in resistance will not make an audible difference whatsoever, not by orders of magnitudes. If someone tells you otherwise they most likely want your money but not your best.
 

Hatto

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@amirm How can it be scientifically tested when the two metals have different resistance? Can you do such a comparison please?
Those experiment have already been performed by Georg Simon Ohm (1789 - 1854) several centuries ago.

The question is not if two metals have different resistance, they clearly do. However within distances under a mile of cable runs those differences are totally negligible.

PLUS, resistance of speaker cables have no effect on sound quality until they become comparable to impedance of the speakers themselves, which again doesn't even come close under 1000ft cables.

Both points aside, a thicker copper cable would have much less resistance than a slimer silver wire. Considering price differential between silver and copper, it's ALWAYS THE CASE. So yes, copper has lower resistance than silver in practical applications.
 
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SIY

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@amirm How can it be scientifically tested when the two metals have different resistance? Can you do such a comparison please?
1. Understand the difference between resistance and resistivity.

2. Either can be measured with an ohmmeter. Resistivity will require a bit of calculation as well.
 

yapaniv

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No, let's be honest. There's just no comparing two cables with different resistance.

/;)
I meant in terms of distortions to make a comparison, which metal causes more distortions and does it affect the sound or not
 

fpitas

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I meant in terms of distortions to make a comparison, which metal causes more distortions and does it affect the sound or not
Not. Keep the total resistance low compared to the speaker and you're golden.
 

fpitas

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See the section on speaker cables.
 

Hatto

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I meant in terms of distortions to make a comparison, which metal causes more distortions and does it affect the sound or not
There are several ones on this forum. Here is one I could find with a quick search:
 
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