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Tiny bridges everywhere, but why?

As I am getting closer to my first "complete" system, I am starting to research and get opinions on smaller tweaks. The cherries on top, so to speak. The term "smaller" covers the size, cost and possible impact to SQ. 

I do not know what they are called but I am seeing all sorts of devices holding up cables. Don't know why but they remind me of Navy Seals running out of the ocean with a telephone pole over their shoulder...

Thanks to this forum I have learned that everything in some way impacts SQ, so whatever these thingamabobs are called, do they impact SQ or are they a form of cable management? Both? Do materials matter? Am I going to have to splurge on rosewood versions treated with stain containing ash from one of Jerry Garcia's guitars, or could I use old shoes for now to accomplish whatever mission these fulfill?

I could have Googled this topic, but I want to hear from you - Your experience, choices, etc. 
izjjzi
joeyga
36 posts
 
For Halloween I'll set up the Jacob's ladder which is 120v -15 kV at 250VA.  An old lighting transformer.  Fun stuff.

As far as LV insulators go I dig the old glass style  Those ceramics cut like a razor blade if broken or cracked, far worse than glass.

Not sure I get why there's a need to isolate/elevate 2 conductor LV cables with a shield wrap.  What exactly would one be coupling to if left on the floor that negatively affects sound quality?
bob540
423 posts
 
@onhwy61 I am also guilty of the jumbled mess of cables in my system.  Every cord or cable has a purpose, so how do you arrange things nice and neat when you have something like 30 cables running every which direction?  Especially when the space you can allot to your audio system is limited?  High end audio tends to have MORE separate pieces of equipment compared to lower level systems, and each thing requires cabling to connect it.
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,124 posts
 
They keep your cables off of the dusty floor if nothing else. It's good housekeeping. 
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,867 posts
 
....I've had that suspicion regarding that lava lamp lurking midst the meticulous...but imh it's just a mcguffin....covering a scratch, perhaps....;)
rudyb
141 posts
 
They are meant to avoid vibrations in the cables. There’s no scientific proof or explanation though that mechanical vibrations have any influence on the transfer of electrical signals. And by the way ... a length of cable that hangs between two spacers has an ’Eigen frequency’, like a guitar string, on which it will oscillate, which actually makes vibrations worse.

But there are people who claim they hear an improvement in sound, and if they do, then that’s wonderful.

If you want to lift your cables from the floor, kitchen sponges work fine as a spring / damper combination. They set you back about $1,-. You can also opt for the ’official’ floor spacers, at prices of $10 or even $100 a piece, but you only need those if you like their looks better.
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