Would silver cables beat UP-OCC copper?


All things considered, which is the better choice for best sound, silver (for example, Siltech) or UP-OCC copper, such as Furutech or Neotech? Thanks.
dave_72
I use Connex brand solid silver IC cables from Parts Connexion with either eichman or Neutrik silver connectors.

Never wanted to change.
Yes, I have heard it all. Siver cables are about conductivity. We ARE NOT  talking about silver plated cables! If your system is good, your cables designed well they will always sound better than copper! Why do people paymore for OCC cables? BETTER CONDUCTIVITY!  Also silver has the advantage of not only being a better condutor than copper or gold, its oxidation is still highly conductive. Copper not so much. Connections. Conductivity will be better with equivalent design. I prefer silver soldered connections with silver or copper. I seal connections with liquid electrical tape on all. I seal mechanical connections as well. Oxidation is not your friend. It is all about the connections.  What do you think? I have little experience with silver coated. So far ehhh...
I'll chime in here.  Silver vs OCC Copper. is definitely a comparison, but more important is solid-core vs stranded wiring.  Solid core designs have all been superior in my testing.

As far as Silver vs OCC, it really depends on system synergy.  I used to run silver a lot a long time ago, but have since evolved away from silver.  Silver would be good if you have an incredibly warm and textured system and you need an element to compensate for a system that is too slow/warm/mushy.  However, there is a fine line where silver becomes a little too sterile.  Too much silver and the upper mids will start to shout and the sound becomes artificial. 

I just recently built and compared two AES/EBU digital cables.  Both with same Neotech gold-plated XLR connectors, braided silver-plated copper shielding.  One used 21awg OCC solid core silver, the other using 21awg OCC solid-core copper.  The silver cable came out being extremely and extraordinarily clean sounding.  However, after about 10-15 minutes of listening I came to the conclusion that it was just a very tiny bit sterile sounding in my system and did not have the texture and engagement that I wanted.  The copper, on the other hand, was very warm and textured and engaging, but did not quite have the snap and attack in the upper mids/highs. 

The OCC copper cable with Oyaide Focus 1 XLR connectors (rhodium plating over silver plating over phospher bronze) was a LOT snappier and cleaner sounding than the OCC copper with gold-plated XLR.  However, the silver plating could be a little too bright edged in the highs on some systems.

So, it really depends.