UP-OCC solid core copper for speaker cable
After reading about all these expensive cables and their extravagant claims, I decided to source the same wire that goes into many of them.
I have my monoblocs underneath and therefore close to the speakers. I ordered 8 feet of 14awg UP-OCC wire (with PTFE insulation) online. It is quite springy so I clamped it gently to the bench and cut it into 4 equal lengths. Assembling it into 2 x 24" speaker cables took a few minutes. I kept it running in the same direction, just in case. Be careful to gently slice the insulation and not to scar the copper.
Anyway, the improvement in sound quality was of a high order. Large increases in speed and transparency, more air, better definition of instruments, less coloration, backing voices I never noticed before etc. The improvement in musicality was impressive.
I urge folks to try this before spending lots of money on speaker cables. I don't bother with connectors as I feel they are another item in the way but that's your call. The wire was $6 a foot.
Available here:http://www.partsconnexion.com/wire_hookup_neotech_copper_teflon.html
See a photo of my cable here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/6iot28p0weuwytn/up-occ.jpg?dl=0
I have my monoblocs underneath and therefore close to the speakers. I ordered 8 feet of 14awg UP-OCC wire (with PTFE insulation) online. It is quite springy so I clamped it gently to the bench and cut it into 4 equal lengths. Assembling it into 2 x 24" speaker cables took a few minutes. I kept it running in the same direction, just in case. Be careful to gently slice the insulation and not to scar the copper.
Anyway, the improvement in sound quality was of a high order. Large increases in speed and transparency, more air, better definition of instruments, less coloration, backing voices I never noticed before etc. The improvement in musicality was impressive.
I urge folks to try this before spending lots of money on speaker cables. I don't bother with connectors as I feel they are another item in the way but that's your call. The wire was $6 a foot.
Available here:http://www.partsconnexion.com/wire_hookup_neotech_copper_teflon.html
See a photo of my cable here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/6iot28p0weuwytn/up-occ.jpg?dl=0
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- 82 posts total
Wow, a resurrection of an old thread. Yes, I totally agree, Neotech cable is completely outstanding. Though, it will be difficult to try to get into a cable building business. A huge part of it is marketing and perception. Also, resale value on boutique hand-made cables is going to be tough for audio end-users. At this point, they are more likely to go to brand names because of both resale and perception. It's a total misnomer because I can build a cable for less than $100 materials that will beat $2k cables. My own opinion of course. |
dragon_vibe, have you tried the neotech rectangular cable? the Amazon and the Sahara and if you have what is your opinion? there's a new company that has come into the audio industry called Infigo audio they're using ofc conductors in their wire and some of the reviews said it's better than OCC single Crystal I highly doubt it. |
@testpilot he is going to hijack this thread about his OCC expertise (to wit he has none) I have Zafino OCC The Prima MKII OCC Speaker Cable 9AWG - ZavfinoUSA Great cable and in my main system I have all Zafino OCC OCC Silver Dart - Graphene Dielectric Speaker Cable - ZavfinoUSA Power, IC and Speaker. |
- 82 posts total