Electrical cable as speaker cable

[dualazmak]

Hello @FrantzM,
Looks I was called! Thank you for your point on "burn-in"; I agree with you.
I edited/corrected post #18 as follows;
> I can and already actually I have done "burn-in" my amplifiers (and cables) (not cables) "in silence" using the 8 Ohm 100W resistors (dummy speakers);

As for my point of "elimination of magnetic susceptible metals" in SP high-level signal handling, you would please be reminded that some measurable distortion was caused by iron (steel) plates at the SP binding posts of old (first) version of BUCKEYE 3 Channel Purifi Amp, and the cause (=steel plate on SP binding posts) was found/identified, then BUCKEYE replaced the parts with blass plates by a kind of cordial recall announcement; please refer to the specific thread.

At the top of @amirm's 2nd review on "revised" Buckeye 3 Channel Purifi Amplifier, amirm clearly described;
> This is a second review of the Buckeye 3-Channel Purifi based balanced class D amplifier. First sample had an issue with its binding posts increasing distortion.
The revised (fixed) Buckeye 3 Channel Purifi Amplifier is really amazingly great.

My post #9 on the remote thread "Ferromagnetic materials in audio connectors" would be also of your interest, I assume.

 

[Speedskater]

While some people might say it works just fine, others argue that it's not the best choice. Electrical cables are designed for carrying electricity, not audio signals.

Stop listening to those people, they don't have a clue about the things that they are talking about.

 

[Snarfie]

Did got around 30 years ago electric cable (picture right) that i used for my speakers Basic idea the thicker the better. Dutch electric OFC with nikkel/tin coated cable from Draka kabel Sounded good now only OFC cable (picture left). Really i can't hear a difference.

 

[Mnyb]

Sure electrical cable can be used pick a multi stranded soft variant that much more practical.

you can even use installation wire ? ( what would be the proper English for this ? ) and twist 2 of them together with a drill or something.

agin use one with as many strands as possible for practical reasons and as thick as practical.

for really short runs a lamp cord would suffice from a mono amp to a speaker.

i wonder if a tin layer is a problem and if a pure copper one is better for home use ? ( I’ve seen a lot of industrial installation wire with a tin coating and also a lot without it ).

 

[AudiOhm]

While some people might say it works just fine, others argue that it's not the best choice. Electrical cables are designed for carrying electricity, not audio signals.

I would like to know who "some people" are.
Audio signals are electricity...

Ohms

 

[DonR]

While some people might say it works just fine, others argue that it's not the best choice. Electrical cables are designed for carrying electricity, not audio signals.

LOL...

 

[Speedskater]

I would like to know who "some people" are.
Audio signals are electricity...

Ohms

Those "some people" are not hard to find. They hang-out at many audiophile and semi-pro audio forums. They repeat many misunderstandings, myths and 'snake-oil' propaganda.

 

[RayDunzl]

While some people might say it works just fine, others argue that it's not the best choice. Electrical cables are designed for carrying electricity, not audio signals.

Here are some "designed" to carry audio signals:

most expensive speaker cables - Google Shopping

www.google.com

And those aren't even the most expensive.

 

[RayDunzl]

Basic idea the thicker the better.

I win!

2AWG

The nuts are 1/2 inch / 13mm for scale.

You need an amp that can handle the other end, though.

From the junkbox, so cost to me $0

 

[Waxx]

The only thing i avoid is CCA (copper cladded aluminium), as the resistance and inductance is higher, and the cable is more fragile. But even if you use CCA, the effect will be minimal, very minimal actually. Speaker placement will have a way bigger impact.

I prefer good quality multistranded OFC (oxigen-free copper), and the OF part is only for durablity reasons (it oxidise less fast). It's not expensive if you buy it (even in small ammounts) and it's as good as it gets. Add quality connectors (Neutrik, Switchcraft, ...) and you got a top of the line cable. All the rest is just for the looks or snake oil bs.

Silver cable is as good, it just cost more...

 

[egellings]

While some people might say it works just fine, others argue that it's not the best choice. Electrical cables are designed for carrying electricity, not audio signals.

What do you 'spoze audio signals are made of?" Spoiler: 'lectric!

 

[Barrelhouse Solly]

I've used zip cord from the hardware store forever. I use 14 or 16 AWG depending on distance and price. For very short runs they may be overkill. I forget the maximum run numbers for different wire gauges but it's easy to find on line. I'm a try not to remember it if it's easy to look up person. My main criterion is whether or not the polarity marking on the wire is easy for me to read. All zip cord has it. There have been many double blind listening tests pitting zip cord against boutique "speaker wire." The null hypothesis always wins.

 

[DSJR]

Sure electrical cable can be used pick a multi stranded soft variant that much more practical.

you can even use installation wire ? ( what would be the proper English for this ? ) and twist 2 of them together with a drill or something.

agin use one with as many strands as possible for practical reasons and as thick as practical.

for really short runs a lamp cord would suffice from a mono amp to a speaker.

i wonder if a tin layer is a problem and if a pure copper one is better for home use ? ( I’ve seen a lot of industrial installation wire with a tin coating and also a lot without it ).

For my 7m or so runs, I use Ebion Kablo H07-VR 2.5mm seven strand installation cable not even twisted together until it comes up from under the carpet to the speakers. This is soldly soldered to the plugs I use and heatshrink applied.

P.S. I despair of these awful 4mm plugs which take bare wire and which look dreadful after a few years with all the oxidised conductor strands on show (maybe it doesn't make much difference, but come-on fellas!!!)

 

[Speedskater]

The only thing i avoid is CCA (copper cladded aluminium), as the resistance and inductance is higher,

Well the CCA (copper cladded aluminum) sold as loudspeaker cable is of dubious quality. It may not be the claimed AWG and it may not be the best alloy. Inductance will depend on how the conductors are bonded together.

Now the aluminum used by the power company has lower resistance per dollar.

 

[Steven Holt]

Moderator, could you please move post 19 to A Call for Humor? Thank you!

 

[Philipp]

Audiosignals are so much more than electricity, its energy, its art running through (audio)cables!

 

[egellings]

Audiosignals are so much more than electricity, its energy, its art running through (audio)cables!

O-oooh! That sounds so physicsy!

 

[jsrtheta]

Here are some "designed" to carry audio signals:

most expensive speaker cables - Google Shopping

www.google.com

And those aren't even the most expensive.

Dear god.

 

[Chrispy]

40 posts now on something so silly to begin with but that is the nature of cable posts on fora like this

 

[tmtomh]

While some people might say it works just fine, others argue that it's not the best choice. Electrical cables are designed for carrying electricity, not audio signals.