2. cables
  3. 193109-198816

Directional wires/cables

Is there any reason to support the idea that cables, interconnects or any other kind of wiring can be considered directional? It seems that the theory is that carrying current will alter the molecular structure of the wire. I can't find anything that supports this other than in the case of extreme temperature variation. Cryo seems to be a common treatment for wire nowadays. Extreme heat would do something as well, just nothing favorable. No idea if cryo treatment works but who knows. Back to the question, can using the wires in one direction or another actually affect it's performance? Thanks for any thoughts. I do abide by the arrows when I have them. I "mostly" follow directions but I have pondered over this one every time I hook up  a pair.

billpete
roadcykler
168 posts
 

As soon as electrons become sentient and can discern differences in metal, then directional cables may be a thing. Until then, even a basic understanding of electricity would tell you it's 100% marketing and makes 0% difference in the sound you hear.

macg19
962 posts
 

I wouldn’t buy a cable based on whether it  it was directional or not, but if it was, why not follow the manufacturers instructions?

Ag insider logo xs@2x
jeffbij
45 posts
 

@soix  -  if a cable is shielded, then it should only be grounded on one end, usually on the source side.  If you ground both sides, then you are creating another full circuit and turning it into an antenna.

@billpete  -  I worked for company for 32 years that made speciality metal alloy wire, tubing and machined parts for the medical device market.  I was the 5th employee of what is the world leader in the market.  And I have drawn my share of both.  (FYI, the process of making metal tubing and wire from larger diameters, is to "draw" it, not to extrude it.  Extrusion is usually only done from the cast initial billet of metal by pushing it through a die.  In drawing the metal is pulled through the die.)

In a nutshell, the reason for the directionally of electrical flow is due to what is called the grain structure of the metal.  (Think of it like the cells in a leaf.)  As the material is drawn smaller and smaller, the grains become elongated (smaller and thinner) and pointed in the direction of the drawing force. The surface of the material is also undergoing changes in stresses.   And since electrons move along the surface of the metal, when they hit the grain boundries and jump to the next grain, it affects the electrical flow.  Thus, the electrons will flow smoother in one direction better than the other.

 

@roadcykler  -  Not to start a war here, but it is physics not sentienticy, and grain configuration/stresses in the metal do affect electron flow.  And that can be tested and measured.  A classic measurement is to take a straight wire and measure the resistance.  Now take that same wire and bend into a tight curve.  The resistance will go up because you are stressing the metal where the electrons flow across.

 

 

immatthewj
2,295 posts
 

I use Kimber Silver Streak(s)  all the way through (CDP-pre-amp) and this thread got me curious, and from the searches that I did they were saying that the heat shrinked "Silver Streak" logo around the cable should read so that the 'S' is at the end that the source is on.  I just went and checked and that's the way I have mine; I don't remember if those cables came with directions with them and that's why I had them all pointed that way, or if it was just by coincidence.

And actually I do remember, many many moons ago, hearing or reading that cables are directional, but that over time it would "learn" the other direction.  "I don't think "learn" is the term that was used, but it's the best I can think of at the moment.

 

immatthewj
2,295 posts
 

. . . and I just did a quick search on speaker wire directionality , specifically Kimber 8TC, and came up with this discussion right here on A'gon . . .

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/signal-direction

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