Directional interconnect cables

Lupinthe3rd - It does not make sense to you because it does not make sense. Believing that a wire terminated at the ends in a metal conductive pin and socket is directional is evidence of a complete lack of understanding of even basic electrical theory and a willingness to buy into any idea that someone proposes that is backed by a misapplication of scientific principles. In order to make a cable directional you would have to add a component that had an inherent directional attribute - like a diode or a polarity sensitive capacitor. Doing that would affect sound if done correctly, but it is not an effect you would want (of course adding the polarity sensitive cap would, with sufficient voltage, give a very time limited change as the cap would fail). You can create your own directional cable with a simple nondirectional cable and a ball point pen (to add the arrow).

An update and caveat - Lupinthe3rd - however, the proper way to connect any shielded cable to connect the shield to ground at only one end, not at both ends, connecting the shield at both ends can cause problems if the two 'grounds' thus connected are not at the same potential. Realize that in most instances when connected a preamp to an amp the two grounds will be at the same potention so terminating the shield at only one end won't matter. This is not necessarily the case when running cable betweeen different systems that are housed in different locations (such as different buildings. If the directional cable has the shield terminated at only one end then that is of value, but again that should not add significant cost to the cable and again you can make your own cable or buy cable with a shield connected at both ends and reterminate one of the ends (and use the ball point pen). So the cables are not entirely snake oil - just don't pay a lot for the directional cable as opposed to the nondirectional cable.

Rodman,
I'm not attacking Kimber, or you for that matter. I have Kimber IC's and speaker cable through out my system, except the tt -> pre. I'm just saying a cable that is terminated the same way at both ends is not directional.

And yes, I'm very familiar with that saying.......

One needn't be a Metallurgist to understand that when copper(or any other metal) is drawn through a die to form it into wire, it's crystal structure takes on a chevron shape. Apply a modicum of electrical theory and it's not a stretch to say that same chevron formation JUST MIGHT be affecting the musical signal like a diode. Musical signals are much more complex that "just" AC current, sine waves or test voltages, containing a plethora of cues including harmonic, ambient, frequency, distance, time and SPL information(the list could go on). When I was introduced to the Wood Effect on a test CD, I was able to discern exactly when the phase was reversed, though I couldn't explain the precise reason. It just sounded "wrong" somehow. I'm guessing the psychoacoustics of it are that the ear/brain connection can tell when sounds are SUPPOSED to generate compressions rather than rarefactions, and the consciousness responds accordingly. To me it's not a stretch to believe it possible for the chevron/crystal structure of a drawn piece of metal to affect the positive portion of a very complex musical/electrical signal in such a way as to disturb the balance of it's components. It doesn't take much of a trained ear to know something is "wrong" with a signal, when a direct comparison is made with an uncompromised one.

Mr 04- I've made an exception, and explained something even though I don't expect it to be understood. Mainly because of the ignorance of that "electrical theory" comment I suppose("Noise" seems very apropos!). Do you regard the people at Kimber as having some basic understanding of electrical theory, through your experience with their products? There's some interesting info on this site: (http://www.soundstage.com/maxdb/maxdb011999.htm) Keep your knees in the breeze!