Directional wires/cables

In an audio system the electrons are not flowing from the source to the destination component.  The signals are AC - though a bit asymmetric -so about half the time they are flowing one way and about half the time the other way.

Although, I guess there could be some DC coupled SS pre or DAC (no capacitor on the output) where the signal is a modulated DC voltage.  Has anyone ever measured a DC offset on a source component's output?

For shielded cables where, except for balanced connections, the shield is connected to SIGNAL ground (the outside of an RCA plug) so it is probably true that the source end should be grounded.

Interesting reading. Thanks for all the participation. It is clear that at least some cables should be used the way they were intended, simply by how they were made. As I said, I have always followed the arrows but always thought that it meant they should point away from the source. I may have misunderstood that but it always seemed logical to me. What about ones that do not have directionality in mind? Will they "learn" to be better in one direction than the other? This would mean that they physically changed over time. This is the part that I struggle with the most. Thanks,

Bill

@retiredaudioguy 

+1
Electrons do not flow through a wire. if they did, they would be collecting at the end wires.  Boy they would be fat. LOL 

If you think electrons flow through the wire, you need to study more

BENT 

I respect the directionality of my cables whether it does anything or not. Just makes me feel better. I did buy some amazing Kimber 8PR (Their "bottom" line, improved from previous model, sound astonishingly good and a serious bargain) speaker cable last year and they're NOT directional it seems. Allegedly they develop directionality later...to keep 'em honest, spades on the speaker end and bananas to the amp using their "special" solder sent with the connectors.

I’m not sure that a new cable is directional, but after constant use it could become that way.