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So you think wire conductors in cables are directional? Think again...

Here is a very relevant discussion among physicists about the directionality...the way signal and electrons should flow... based on conductor orientation. Some esoteric, high-end manufacturers say they listen to each conductor to see which way the signal should flow for the best audio quality.

Read this discussion. Will it make you rethink what you’re being told and sold?

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/is-a-copper-conductor-directional.975195/
edgewound
edgewound OP
259 posts
 

andy21,286 posts05-13-2021 2:52pmKind of funny the RF folks now are criticizing about cable directional. RF folks are known for their measurements so they have to live and die by it.
If you insist on measurement, you got to put up or shut up.

In RF, there is something called "insertion loss" or RF people would call it "SD21" or "SD12". SD21 is the insertion loss in one direction whereas SD12 is insertion loss in the other direction. And these are never the same especially in RF. You measure insertion loss in one direction, then the other direction, and the results are close but never the same.

Also if RF folks also are making fun of cable lifters, remember that RF cables are very sensitive to the cable bending. If you bend the cable just slightly, your SD21 will change. Expensive RF cables are less sensitive but they all are.  

You see, there a lot of these voodoo scientists ... errr... I meant "objectivist". They keep pounding on the word "measurements", but they themselves can't withstand close scrutiny. A lot of these people are using the word "measurement" as a mean to an agenda but a lot of them don't know what they are talking about.


RF and audio spectrums are completely different. CAT cables operate in megahertz with the twisted pairs needing to be in sweeping bends so as not to cause interference/crosstalk with the delivery of digital data packets. Completely different signal delivery system than analog AC current signal.
andy2
1,555 posts
 
If wire had directionality to audio signals somebody would already have invented a device to measure and quantify it! So where's this device?
It's called a vector network analyzer.
djones51
4,947 posts
 
But hey, he's only a recording engineer working with Pink Floyd so what do they know?
 Really interesting article. Thanks for the link. 
edgewound OP
259 posts
 

speakermaster382 posts05-13-2021 4:58pmThe reason that some manufacturers put the arrow on the wire is because they made the wire and know which way the copper was drawn through the dies when it was manufactured the other manufacturers listen for best sound but i can understand how the sound would be better in the direction the copper was drawn out it is the best explanation i have ever heard about this.

It's just not true...especially for AC. The AC current travels in both directions. Here's an easy explanation. Next time you have a burning question for a high-end cable manufacturer, present them with this:

https://www.dummies.com/education/science/science-electronics/electronics-basics-direct-and-alternat...
andy2
1,555 posts
 
It's just not true...especially for AC. The AC current travels in both directions. Here's an easy explanation.
Wrong.  AC current travels in one direction.  Look up Poynting vector.  We've been through this.  You're a bit late to the party.

The link you provided is like high-school level for those who can't get past first year college.


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