DIY "HiFi" cables - and why I don't trust BJC and the likes

I disagree with DIY cables not sounding good.

I have made many, the latest power cord version I made is with pure 10 gauge .9999 solid silver covered with a very high quality Teflon. I braided the 3 conductors lightly and terminated them with Furutech NCF fittings. On the wires themselves I coated them first with Furutech Nano liquid before connecting them into the connectors.

Took a little bit of time to break in, but compared to SR, Purist, Hurricane etc. These are much superior sounding.
So, I say the conductors and connectors are the main ingredient.

ozzy

I have made many, the latest power cord version I made is with pure 10 gauge .9999 solid silver covered with a very high quality Teflon. I braided the 3 conductors lightly and terminated them with Furutech NCF fittings


Now THAT is a  expensive power cord.
Buy why pure  silver?? and Furutech NCF adds more to the cost.
But why?
Copper carries 110 volts just as effectively/cleanly as copper.
Here is my version of a  copper power cord
Home Depot 12 gague THHN strand + pure copper termianls from china @ $20 for a pair.
I 've made 2 cords, one for the Defy , the other for the cayin 17 mark1 220 volt, plugs into stepup trans. 
Both really nice, ugly, but highly functional.
When the 3rd terms arrive from china,,going on 2 months ship,,,I will uploada  Vid on the DIY of the cord.
You have to break off the clear plastic face plate to get it to work out.
Silver is not going to carry more juice, nor cleaner juice, vs copper 12 ga.  

I'm not sure if the OP meant to criticize all DIY cables or those "cable companies" that are being disingenuous about their added value. 

I completely agree that cable companies that use readily available bulk cable, add some connectors and some woven polyester sleeving, and then charge 5 or 10 times the retail cost of the components while pretending that they have some unique technology are pretty sleazy. 

I don't think this necessarily results in a bad cable - there is some excellent bulk cable made by companies like Furutech, Neotech, DH Labs, Mogami, Kimber, Canare, Belden and others, that offer good to excellent performance. But a DIYer can use the same bulk cable with good quality connectors and achieve the same results (assuming they know what they are doing wrt prepping and terminating) for a fraction of the cost.

I have no problem with companies, such as Blue Jean Cable, that disclose the fact they are using one of these products, and that charge a fair price for the excellent job they do with termination. 

As far as I know there are only two companies that make wire.  You can twist them, bend then, wrap them, etc. in many ways.  My close friend did the first speaker wire a month ago and we compared it versus his Acoustic Zen bi-wires, no difference in sound.  So while there are many cable manufacturers out there as well as manufacturers of audio components, difference come from the design.  So you have to hear things for yourself and make up your own mid.  Look at all of the opinions on DACs, preamps and amplifiers.  Unless you know what makes one design sound better than the other, you will keep spinning your wheels.

Happy Listening.