2. amps-preamps
  3. 127223-32

Interconnects, some have directional indicators, why?

I'm curious as to why some interconnects are directional? Is there a physical internal difference and do they generally sound better and cost more than non-directional cables? Thanks for your interest.
phd
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,849 posts
 
@jetter Usually the shield is connected at both ends.

<facepalm>
Jea48 wrote,

"The audio signal travels down the wire in the form of an electromagnetic wave from the source to the load."

Bingo! All the young dudes carry the news, the young dudes in this case being photons, not electrons.
</facepalm>
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
atmasphere wrote,

"@jetter Usually the shield is connected at both ends."

Uh, I don’t think so. That was kind of the whole point of the Audioquest dude’s article on wire directionality. You know, the article you apparently mis-read. Besides, if a shield was connected at both ends of the cable you couldn’t really blame cable directionality on the shield, could you? Please don’t try to tell me it has something to do with the contact the male RCA connector makes with the female end.

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
atmasphere

@jetter Usually the shield is connected at both ends.

<facepalm>
Jea48 wrote,

"The audio signal travels down the wire in the form of an electromagnetic wave from the source to the load."

Bingo! All the young dudes carry the news, the young dudes in this case being photons, not electrons.
</facepalm>

hmmmm...I’m guess I’m thinking a little bit more of the image of the monkey contemplating the skull of Yorick. "Alas, poor Yorick..."

😬

jetter
3,035 posts
 

Thanks atmosphere.

Geoff, not quite sure the meaning of your last sentence.

jea48
4,456 posts
 

jetter said:

Repeat of a question I asked above (simplified).

For single ended interconnects that do not have directional arrows, how can you determine at which end the the shield is connected?

Or if the shield is connected at both ends or neither?

Take apart the plastic covering at the end of the interconnect?

Thanks,

If the end is molded plastic, not sure how you could check. You might ask the manufacture how the cable is made up.

As a rule if arrows are not on the ICs the printed labeling on the cable is used for direction. Direction is with the wording on the cable from source to load.

Just make sure the lettering is running in the same direction for both the L&R channel ICs. Listen to them closely in one direction and then flip them both and listen to them again in the other direction. IF YOU can hear a difference pick the direction that sounds the best to you.

For listening material use music with a strong solo female voice. Instruments, I find a solo playing of a piano works good.

IF the ICs are made from stranded wire I doubt you will hear a difference, though you might.

Solid core wire ICs is easier to hear for differences. Especially silver soild core ICs.

. 

More to discover