2. cables
  3. 1443194965

Directional cables - what does that really mean?

Some (most) cables do sound differently depending on which end is connected to which component. It is asserted that the conductor grain orientation is determining the preferential current flow. That might well be, but in most (all) cases the audio signal is AC (electrons going back and forth in the cable), without a DC component to justify a directional flow. Wouldn't that mean that in the 1st order, a phase change should give the same effect as a cable flip?

I'm curious whether there is a different view on this that I have not considered yet.
cbozdog
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
On the Serengeti you don’t have to be the faster wildebeest. You only have to be faster than the slowest wildebeest.  
andy2
1,555 posts
 
 Part 2 is coming.

Will it be a mini-series type?
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 

Andy, let me explain something to you. Whenever you come here and post a comment and interrupt me, you're breaking my concentration. You're distracting me. And it will then take me time to get back to where I was. Understand? Now, we're going to make a new rule. When you come in here and you hear me typing or whether you DON’T hear me typing, or whatever you hear me doing; when I'm in here, it means that I am working, that means don't come in. Now, do you think you can handle that? 

andy2
1,555 posts
 
Andy, let me explain something to you. Whenever you come here and post a comment and interrupt me, you’re breaking my concentration. You’re distracting me. And it will then take me time to get back to where I was. Understand? Now, we’re going to make a new rule. When you come in here and you hear me typing or whether you DON’T hear me typing, or whatever you hear me doing; when I’m in here, it means that I am working, that means don’t come in. Now, do you think you can handle that?

Let’s hear your Part 2. I got the entire Albertsons beverage selections at my disposal. If I distract you, just drink some booze.  Since you wasted my time, I'll distract you :-)  Fair game.  
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
With some RCA cables the shield is grounded at the source end only!

This may reduce noise pickup through the cable and can be noticeable on some systems.
More to discover