Directionality of wire

Stfoth 8-2-2017
Perhaps this has been adequately and succinctly discussed elsewhere, but, assuming all cables are inherently directional with sound differences from one way to the other, what might be some reasons someone, with a good trained ear with a highly resolving setup and with no skin in the game, wouldn’t be able to hear a difference?

If we assume as your question posits that all cables are inherently directional, IMO the key to obtaining an answer would be obtaining an understanding of **why** such an effect may occur.  And as I said in an earlier post, IMO the least implausible explanation I have seen is the one stated by Audioquest.

I doubt that any of us are in a position to say conclusively one way or the other whether the effect claimed by Audioquest is likely to be great enough in degree to be audibly significant in some or many systems.  But let's assume that it is.  The explanation revolves around electrical noise.  Sensitivity to electrical noise that may be present will be highly dependent on the specific designs of the components, cables, and system that are involved, on how AC power is distributed to the various components, on how the components and cables are physically arranged, and on the noise environment at the particular location.  And it will be highly dependent on the spectral composition (frequency distribution) as well as the amplitudes of whatever noise may be present.

As I said in one of my previous posts in this thread, noise effects tend to have little if any predictability, and tend to be highly system and even location dependent.

It should be noted, finally, that none of these factors have any particular correlation with the sonic quality or musical resolution of the system, or with the hearing acuity of the particular listener.

Regards,
-- Al
    

@ivan_nosnibor 

Ivan, I was simply pointing out the difficulty of conducting a valid experiment. There are too many ways for the mind to trick a putative experimenter. The scientific method is capable of controlling these to a large extent.

Should one choose to ignore the scientific method, alternative explanations of any 'result' are obvious. As I tried to point out, I don't care if people wrap their cables in thousand dollar bills, it's their money. But I put no credence in any 'result' which offers neither theoretical justification nor valid experiment.

@terry9 

Alright, fair enough, I'm just ranting I suppose. My apologies if I've rankled anyone.

almarg
Stfoth 8-2-2017
Perhaps this has been adequately and succinctly discussed elsewhere, but, assuming all cables are inherently directional with sound differences from one way to the other, what might be some reasons someone, with a good trained ear with a highly resolving setup and with no skin in the game, wouldn’t be able to hear a difference?

If we assume as your question posits that all cables are inherently directional, IMO the key to obtaining an answer would be obtaining an understanding of **why** such an effect may occur. And as I said in an earlier post, IMO the least implausible explanation I have seen is the one stated by Audioquest.

>>>>Rather than say someone’s explanation is not plausible how about telling us an explanation that is plausible.

I doubt that any of us are in a position to say conclusively one way or the other whether the effect claimed by Audioquest is likely to be great enough in degree to be audibly significant in some or many systems. But let’s assume that it is.

>>>>That’s mighty decent of you.

The explanation revolves around electrical noise. Sensitivity to electrical noise that may be present will be highly dependent on the specific designs of the components, cables, and system that are involved, on how AC power is distributed to the various components, on how the components and cables are physically arranged, and on the noise environment at the particular location. And it will be highly dependent on the spectral composition (frequency distribution) as well as the amplitudes of whatever noise may be present.

>>>>Well, if he had said noise plus distortion would you be on board?

As I said in one of my previous posts in this thread, noise effects tend to have little if any predictability, and tend to be highly system and even location dependent.

>>>>>But he’s not talking about random or Gaussian noise, he’s talking about noise (and distortion) produced by the wire in one direction moreso than the other direction. You’re quibbling.

It should be noted, finally, that none of these factors have any particular correlation with the sonic quality or musical resolution of the system, or with the hearing acuity of the particular listener.

>>>>>>None of what factors? Noise and distortion? Obviously what Audioquest means and what HiFi Tuning means is that the difference in sound quality IS PREDICTABLE and not random. You’re being uh, purposefully obtuse. Differences in noise plus distortion do actually correlate with what people report for cables and fuses in terms of directionality.