Directionality of wire

OMG! This just in! From the Black Cat Cable web site,

"One can hear a slight difference or change in the quality of sound when this reversal is performed, and some people claim that this difference, prima fascie, is sufficient evidence to prove that the speaker cable itself must be more efficient (or somehow otherwise "better") when oriented in one direction vs. the other. Some industry folks have even theorized that the crystals in the metal wire’s lattice are somehow diodic (a diode is like a one-way valve, permitting signal to travel in one direction but not in the other), and the orientation of these crystals within the wire will determine the appropriate "direction" to orient your speaker cable."

>>>>Wow! Talk about misunderstanding the issue. No wonder there’s so much confusion on the subject of wire directionality. That has got to be the most egregious example of a Strawman argument I’ve seen all month. No one ever suggested that wire acts like a diode and permits the signal to travel in one direction but not the other. No way, Jose!

What we ARE saying is that the sound is better in one direction than the other, due to the *unnatural* alignment of the metal crystal structure that distorts the signal in one direction moreso than the other direction. It’s like stroking a porcupine’s back, you’ll be able to stroke the porcupine’s back easier if you stroke it in the direction the quills are pointing. Photons travel more easily and without disruption when they travel along the conductor in the direction of least resistance - resistance caused by deformation of the metal crystals. Measurable difference in resistance. The difference is caused by the crystal structure deformation. One reason amorphous conductors like carbon sound quite good is that they are symmetrical and homogeneous on the atomic level, unlike drawn copper or silver, so there is no issue with crystal structures.

I wrote:

Second, the purpose of the extra shield is to minimize noise. One way to do that is to have all grounds at the same potential.

terry9 sez

But that is already achieved with the negative wire of the balanced line.

We’re talking about single-ended connections here, @terry9, not balanced lines. As I explained to you, pro-audio systems use balanced lines. We’re talking about single-ended cables here with the shield connected at only one end.

In a SE cable, your notion that the shield should be connected to the amplifier end rather than the source end runs contrary to the design of every cable manufacturer of which I’m aware that uses the extra shield. But of course you may know something that no one else understands.

Your complaint that the common grounding point shouldn’t be the phono cartridge pins is amusing, and no one here has suggested that. Phono cartridge pins are not a "common point." A preamplifier is the typical "common point."

I think that I could have said that more clearly. Instead of
  "But that is already achieved by the negative wire of the balanced line"
perhaps I should have said,
  "But that is already achieved by the negative wire of the 2 wire / 1 shield line."

Does that make sense to you now?

As to my remark about the pins of a phono cartridge, it was you who brought up the notion of source. If you now wish to recant, that's fine with me.

As for my knowing something that no one else understands, why so aggressive Cleeds? Why not discuss things on their merits?

Geoffkait: Your response on my SACD post ( which I removed) had me laughing to the point tears were running down my face! Your dry humor I find amusing! Anyhow, as far as this post! Walter Wegrzyn cable co! He advertises on this site! Search HDMI cables and he will come up! My point: Walter makes custom cables! His HDMI cable (with is directional ) will blow away a Audioquest diamond! I own both! Directional is because copper can be like fish scales under magnification! Certain flow provides less resistance! Actions speak louder than words! Contact Walter! This guys forgotten more than I'll ever know! I almost exclusively use his cables for my system! My system is just short of 6 figures! Opinions are like belly buttons, everybody has one! Buy Walters cables ! You might change your directional opinion!