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Cables ... no longer opinion

PS Audio has already did the research. The answers are available forevermore.
The testing is sound, and not flawed. Their test results find exactly the same results my cable manufacturer found and preached. Josh from Downsize Audio Cables also found two strips of foils, stacked on top of each other and secured together made the best sounding speaker cables. I've tried all kinds of hyper expensive cables to dethrone the Downsize Audio foils ... NOTHING comes close at any price.
      Downsize used a genuine teflon backed adhesive tape, double sided too, and custom rolled, extra thin foil of 6N purity. BUT he told me a person can get 90% of the same sound quality, using off the shelf inductor foils and standard thin packing tape. Try it and save tens of thousands of dollars.
https://www.psaudio.com/copper/article/the-sound-of-speaker-cables-an-analysis/
flaxxer
andy2
1,555 posts
 
I tried Goertz foil diy cables in the past though they sound decent they lacked transparency.  Probably has high amount of capacitance.  You can fine tune them by using fancy dielectric but beyond the diy realm.  
In the end it is not any one geometry but the harmony of all the variables.
derekw_hawaii
95 posts
 
Can someone please explain or reconcile this flat ribbon design verses the hellix construction others espouse? Any practical AB real world comparison between actual cables, DIY or commercial, that anyone cares to share?
jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,620 posts
 
I've used Goertz, River Cable(similar but thicker), MG Designs(side by side as opposed to stacked), and ZenWave (braided foil ribbon).They won't work with every amp because of the low inductance. Many amps need to see some inductance.The result is an anemic sound and/or oscillation.
The ZenWave (to my ears) is outstanding with my tube amp.With my ss amp it was anemic.The ZenWave is the very best I've heard,nothing else comes close.
flaxxer OP
76 posts
 
Being friends with Josh, I have been to his shop many times. He probably has 30 or more cable brands there. It is a dream for anyone wanting to compare cables of every kind. I own Downsize cables because I've heard them best $20+ speaker cables. I replaced my source's $3500 power cable with his $400 power cables. Now I have 7 of those power cables. They simply sound good. The science is above me. But my ears don't lie to me. 
Josh has a policy where he simply won't tell anyone what to expect to hear with his cables. He doesn't want to plant any pre notions to lead to placebo expectations.
Also he wants to see of the feedback he gets has consistencies. He values finding out if others are hearing what he does. You notice he does not advertise or visit forums. He really enjoys helping people get better sound, but only when approached about it. He isn't egotistical, and doesn't want or need to prove anything. Ive seen him send a pair of interconnects to someone desperate to argue with him. He went silent and sent them out unpaid. He preferred it to the stress. He's disabled and spends most of his time obsessing about what improves sq. And ways to make it happen. He's doing it for him. But will share with people.
I think this leads to better sounding products. He designed them via experimenting. 
I just think it's interesting any individual can compete with and beat companies with R&D depts and deep pockets.
Those of you handy should try and build similar foil cables to his and try them. The only difference at all is the conductor purity and special teflon tapes for conductor insulation. 
flaxxer OP
76 posts
 
I thought I was going to post some photos of cool foil cables, but I see photos aren't happening here, oops! I miss a lot in my old age, lol
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