I use 15 feet of Kimber 8PR in a a 3/5 biwire configuration for my Reference 3A de Capos
Speaker Cables - Long Run
Greetings -
I'm stuck with having to run 20' of bi-wire cable from my Conrad Johnson Premier 12's to Vandersteen Quattro's. Have been using Van Den Hul Tea Track, some say I can do better.
Without breaking the bank, I'm considering upgrading.
If anyone would care to recommend a bi-wire cable that would do well in a 20' run, I would appreciate it!
Thank you!
- ...
- 14 posts total
we tend to overdo it, here is McIntosh's MC830 speaker gauge advice. (Earlier manuals noted smaller gauge).
The Speaker WireIf speaker wire is not already terminated, remove ½ inch (12.7mm) of insulation from the wire end and twist the strands together. For runs under 25 feet (7.6m), use at least 16AWG wire. For runs under 50 feet (15.2m) use at least 14AWG, and forlonger runs up to 100 feet (30.5m), use 12AWG. 12AWG, being the larger wire, can be used in all the above cases if desired. The above guidelines are for 8 Ohm connections. When using 4 Ohm speaker connections, subtract 2 from the gauge. For example, a minimum gauge for a 50 foot 4 Ohm run would be 12AWG. For guide, see Figure 07. Generally, thicker gauge wire is better than thinner until it doesn't fit in the Binding Post's hole.
|
I make my own using CAT 8 cable. 24 gauge x 8 strands is 15 awg. 8 x 26 is 17 awg https://www.wirebarn.com/Combined-Wire-Gauge-Calculator_ep_42.html I use different colors for +/-, easy to know at either end. wrap for 3 feet, tape; wrap other direction 3 feet, tape, change direction ....: avoids having to constantly flip the long cable every turn if all wrapped the same direction. need flat? cut connectors off, add spades/bananas etc. ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; note: check both conductor and connectors for pure copper (you will cut off the connectors), some only the connectors are pure copper |
If you really want to use, bi-wire to its full potential, and do you have two sets of terminals on your speakers, Macintosh just announced that they’re selling their MC252 amplifier with hybrid drive(this is amplification designed for bi-amping) online from authorized dealers. It sounds like they may be having a sale on these amplifiers. They are the only brand I know of that makes a single amplifier with two sets of terminals that is designed as for a tube sound on your meds at highs and solid-state amplification for your lows. I have buy amped for years and can honestly say it does make a nice difference at higher volumes. If you don’t listen at higher volumes, it’s not worth the trouble. Anyways, that’s my two cents. Hope it helps. |
- 14 posts total