I guess I'm antediluvian. I got my basic training in things dealing with AC current before WWII, as I was a ham radio operator and built my own transmitter/power supply and antennas. I had to sit for an FCC exam to get my operator's ticket. I had courses in both DC and AC in college BT (before transistors.)
After WWII, I began to build my playback systems for 45s, LP vinyl, and reel-to-reel. For years, I had access to a fully-equipped shop and constructed my own speaker enclosures using Thiele-Small parameters to assist designing them.
I switched from tubes to solid state when my favorite KT88 tubes ceased to be made in the US, and quite "rolling my own."'
During these years I learned that wire gage, wire material, good shielding and properly-connected terminals DID make a difference; however, esoteric cable wire patterns and claims of directional wiring were plainly snake oil. Cable esistance, capacitance and inductance parameters DO make a difference.
For over fifty years, I've connected my amp to the speakers with 10 gage Belden wiring, and used 14 gage Belden for interconnects.
Do I have "Brass Ears?" I don't think so'; however, my current collection of CD classical symphonies, concertos, chorales, chamber music, requiems, organ music, and operas are most satisfying.
Disclaimer: My system is Bryston preamp, 4Bsst2 amp, Thiele 2.7 speakers with Thiele SS2.2 sub, Bryston BCD-3 CD spinner, Magnum Dynalab FM tuner.
Just some thoughts from an Old Fud.
After WWII, I began to build my playback systems for 45s, LP vinyl, and reel-to-reel. For years, I had access to a fully-equipped shop and constructed my own speaker enclosures using Thiele-Small parameters to assist designing them.
I switched from tubes to solid state when my favorite KT88 tubes ceased to be made in the US, and quite "rolling my own."'
During these years I learned that wire gage, wire material, good shielding and properly-connected terminals DID make a difference; however, esoteric cable wire patterns and claims of directional wiring were plainly snake oil. Cable esistance, capacitance and inductance parameters DO make a difference.
For over fifty years, I've connected my amp to the speakers with 10 gage Belden wiring, and used 14 gage Belden for interconnects.
Do I have "Brass Ears?" I don't think so'; however, my current collection of CD classical symphonies, concertos, chorales, chamber music, requiems, organ music, and operas are most satisfying.
Disclaimer: My system is Bryston preamp, 4Bsst2 amp, Thiele 2.7 speakers with Thiele SS2.2 sub, Bryston BCD-3 CD spinner, Magnum Dynalab FM tuner.
Just some thoughts from an Old Fud.