Let's talk about Silver...


We got off on a short tangent in another discussion about the merits of silver in cables, but we did not want to derail that conversation. So I thought I would start a general discussion where folks can share their experiences, and opinions of course, with silver cables. This can include solid silver, silver plated or alloys, wire, connectors, analog, digital etc.

The knee jerk reaction in the audio world is to say that silver is bright, and in some cases that may be true, but I think it is not a universal truth. I am currently trialing some solid silver interconnects, and I have had some good success with silver in the digital realm. Please share your experience, and opinions of course.

 

zlone

@ghdprentice 

My experience is that low cost silver interconnects tend to be harsh and bright

and @grannyring 

Silver on AC plugs always sounded a tad thin and tipped up. Silver hook up wire in my builds always sounded a tad thin with less body than I care for and very detailed.

This was my findings exactly.  I moved to all copper cables and enjoyed fuller range and less etchy highs.  For me it was eventually Kubala Sosna.  But I think there is silver in my Shunyata  Denali 6000v2 and the 20 amp Shunyata Omega XC v2 20a power cable, which add sparkle and life to my second system. So probably well executed, silver is ok; yet I stick by my all copper wires elsewhere and no more cable merry go round for me!

@lak Analogue Seduction on eBay. They didn’t have the length that I needed listed (1.5M), so I messaged them and they sent me a link. It’s in St Louis now en route to Kansas City.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233845761317?ViewItem=&item=233845761317

 

I’m described as a “detail-freak”. My system is sounded to be quick on transients. Vinyl is are my principal medium.

For the minority of open reel to reel users, I switched from pure copper to custom- made pure silver interconnects into the tube preamplifier. Startling improvement in detail and realism from a Studer semipro machine. No downside other than the increased costs of silver. I was sufficiently impressed that I changes all my interconnects to Darwin silvers. They’ve different grades of silver and treatment. The audible difference convinced me that unsurprisingly all “silver” isn’t audibly the same.

 

 

@kennymacc

 

You mention high quality silver XLR but preferred the Thunderbird. Did you audition the Firebird XLR by chance? Curious about your thoughts if so.