OCC cables anyone?


Over the years I’ve developed a distinct preference for OCC copper cables. 
 

Anyone else discover the perceived or real charm of occ cables? 

128x128zavato

This may sound a little goofy, but I find the terminal ends have the most prolific effect on sound. Cables sound different but terminal ends and how they are attached to the cable really make a difference. NO SOLDER. Binding screws that are like metal or thick clad if copper is plated. I pay close attention to the pockets where the cables are joined to the terminal. I pressure join or use screws, no solder.

Red copper
Red copper silver clad
Pure silver

I stay pretty close to that too.

I also find it's the cover more so than composition in copper too. I can't tell the difference when wiring sub/bass with OFC vs OCC. Mids with teflon, pretty close.

Good OFC is GOOD material if you pay attention how it's drawn threw the die, terminal ends, covers and NO solder.

I've been using a HiOCC/teflon 16-24 strand weave that is top of the line. It's a plug and drop cable to, 50 hours tops 100 hours you know what it's going to sound like forever.

Regards

@zavato - having built countless cables over the years using Copper, OFC copper, Tinned copper Silver, Silver alloy and most recently UP-OCC copper, I would have to say that UP-OCC copper is my current preference

There are also differences between 5N UP-OCC copper and 6N UP-OCC copper that can be heard (believe it or not)

The areas that I find are improved include (in order)

  1. dynamics - much faster than the other materials listed above
  2. details - such as the micro details of the Venue acoustics
  3. imaging - more spacious, with greater precision of artist placement

But to make a cable really "shine" also requires

  1. a great cable geometry
  2. the best insulations

Both of these contribute to the clarity, image and lower noise floor of the cable.

Some people do prefer a "smoother" sounding cables and will opt for wire like

  1. Duelund Tinned Copper in a Cotton/Oil insulation
  2. Mundorf Silver with 1% gold
  3. VH Audio UP-OCC copper in the AirLok insulation

All three of these will remove "some" of the detail, and will "appear" as being a little less harsh, or smoother 

You also have to factor in the various components i.e. the "Synergy" of the system

But it is not a case of which is better

  • there is no right or wrong at this level of performance
  • it IS a case of personal preference

I do agree with the post above WRT the connectors - they also make a huge difference and using a poor connector may negate any advantage that using UP-OCC wire will provide

I use KLE Innovations Absolute Harmony RCA’s and their Banana plugs also

In ALL my cables, UP-OCC copper prevails because for ME it provides the best bang for the buck

But I am about to try a 5N UP-OCC solid silver wire in my interconnects, just to see what transpires.

So that may change my mind :-)

Regards - Steve