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Interconnect Directionality

Have I lost my mind? I swear that I am hearing differences in the direction I hook up my interconnect cables between my preamp and power amp. These are custom built solid core silver cables with Eichmann bullet plugs. There is no shield so this is not a case where one end of the cable’s shield is grounded and the other isn’t. 

There are four ways ways to hook them up:
Right: Forward. Left: Forward. 
Right: Backward. Left: Backward
Right: Forward. Left: Backward
Right: Backward. Left: Forward. 

There is no difference in construction between forward and backward, but here are my observations:

When they are hooked up forward/backward there appears to be more airy-ness and what appears to be a slight phase difference. When hooked up forward/forward or backward/backward, the image seems more precise like they are more in phase. The difference between forward/forward and backward/backward is that one seems to push the soundstage back a little bit while the other brings it towards you more. 

What could possibly cause this? Does it have something to do with the way the wire is constructed and how the grains are made while drawn through a die? Am I imagining this? Have I completely lost my mind?
mkgus
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Let’s summarize, shall we?

“Speakers work by converting electrical energy into mechanical energy (motion). ...In speakers, a current is sent through the voice coil which produces an electric field that interacts with the magnetic field of the permanent magnet attached to the speaker.”

So, it’s current that provides the energy to the voice coils, current that alternates between the + and - wires. Whilst traveling toward the speaker on + wire current travels in the opposite direction on the - and vice versa. Thus, only the outgoing current - i.e., toward the speakers 🔜 - affects the sound of the speakers. The ingoing current - the current going toward the amplifier 🔙 - does not (rpt not) affect the sound. The current alternates at the “instantaneous frequency” of the audio waveform. See, that wasn’t so difficult, was it?
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geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Prove it! (Is Herman your imaginary friend?) 
atdavid
736 posts
 
I know you make fun of people who use Wikipedia, but a perusal of Wikipedia and other sights may improve your understanding of how energy transfer via electricity works. Your interpretation below is not accurate.


geoffkait17,948 posts11-03-2019 4:01pmLet’s summarize, shall we?

“Speakers work by converting electrical energy into mechanical energy (motion). ...In speakers, a current is sent through the voice coil which produces an electric field that interacts with the magnetic field of the permanent magnet attached to the speaker.”

So, it’s current that provides the energy to the voice coils, current that alternates between the + and - wires. Whilst traveling toward the speaker on + wire current travels in the opposite direction on the - and vice versa. Thus, only the outgoing current - i.e., toward the speakers 🔜 - affects the sound of the speakers. The ingoing current - the current going toward the amplifier 🔙 - does not (rpt not) affect the sound. The current alternates at the “instantaneous frequency” of the audio waveform. See, that wasn’t so difficult, was it?

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Prove it, Mr. Smarty Pants. It’s not a very convincing argument to simply say I’m wrong. You’re supposed to you know, back it up. I’ll even help you out. Maybe you can try Wikipedia.
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