Directional wires/cables

Edit:. "Preview" shows the image. "Save" it doesn’t show the illustration of the coax cable . Anyway look at the coax cable illustration in the Link.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poynting_vector

Illustration of electromagnetic power flow inside a coaxial cable according to the Poynting vector S, calculated using the electric field E (due to the voltage V) and the magnetic field H (due to current I).

S represents the signal. Yes?

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@rodman99999, I’ve used that Link many times trying to prove a point.

Imo, a SPDIF digital coax cable with a solid center conductor with RCA plugs is one of the best cables to use to check for cable directionality.

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@jea48 

I looked around for a primer on the subject and found this YouTube it's about a 40 minute chat but is, I think, rather good. Simple but not simplistic.

He doesn't address directionality per se but does explain why different cables may sound different.

To briefly summarize, the signal travels through the cable as a wave - (my simile now, a bit like a slinky, the free electrons nudging the next one from the high energy side to the lower, like the balls of a slinky from the high side to the low side).

However, to the dismay of audiophiles, and the profit margin of cable manufacturers, the velocity of the wave along the wire is dependent of the electrical characteristics of the wire - which are dependent on the physical properties of the cable structure - material, coating, size, dielectric properties of the insulation, braiding - AND THE FREQUENCY OF THE DRIVING SOURCE.

So, if the wave velocity is strongly dependent on the frequency then the complex waveform of the audio signal will be more distorted.  There will always be some distortion, the magnitude of which depends on cable length, and audiophile manufacturers will attempt to minimize the distortion - or try to make it euphonic.

Regarding directionality, if the crystal structure of a cable is asymmetric and that structure affects the electrical characteristics (resistance, capacitance, inductance) asymmetrically then the waveform will be affected asymmetrically as it AC so, perhaps directionality matters.  It would seem to me that the best construction using drawn cable would be that each of the two conductors be a pair of wires, arranged in opposing directions to minimize the grain structure distortion.

Does anyone know of a manufacturer that does this - if not does anyone want to start a business? (joke). 

@retiredaudioguy said:

It would seem to me that the best construction using drawn cable would be that each of the two conductors be a pair of wires, arranged in opposing directions to minimize the grain structure distortion.

Does anyone know of a manufacturer that does this - if not does anyone want to start a business?

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Bob Crump did.

Posted by rcrump on September 30, 2000 at 06:45:41

Solid core wire is extremely directional so just mark the end with some masking tape as it comes off the spool. Orient the wires so you have piece of masking tape at either end and terminate the wires. Throw it on a MOBIE or whatever overnight and then listen to it noting which way gives the highest image height. This is the correct orientation.

If you run the signal and return wires in the same direction you will end up with hot spots in the stage, normally at or close to the speakers, low image height and have a gaping hole in the middle of the stage...Keep in mind I am referring to the sound of the stage (reflections) not the individual instruments spread across the stage....Interconnects or speaker wires that have pianos wandering all over the stage normally have their signal and return going in the same direction....

https://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=cables&n=12332&highlight=rcrump+wire+direction

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@retiredaudioguy said;

However, to the dismay of audiophiles, and the profit margin of cable manufacturers, the velocity of the wave along the wire is dependent of the electrical characteristics of the wire - which are dependent on the physical properties of the cable structure - material, coating, size, dielectric properties of the insulation, braiding - AND THE FREQUENCY OF THE DRIVING SOURCE.

So, if the wave velocity is strongly dependent on the frequency then the complex waveform of the audio signal will be more distorted. There will always be some distortion, the magnitude of which depends on cable length, and audiophile manufacturers will attempt to minimize the distortion - or try to make it euphonic.

dielectric properties of the insulation,

The signal travels in the spaces between the conductors. Therein through the dielectric insulation but not confined by the dielectric insulation, (unless the cable is shielded.)

I believe that’s why Teflon, for one, is used instead of cheap PVC insulation.

And I believe it helps control this:

So, if the wave velocity is strongly dependent on the frequency then the complex waveform of the audio signal will be more distorted. There will always be some distortion, the magnitude of which depends on cable length, and audiophile manufacturers will attempt to minimize the distortion - or try to make it euphonic.

Your thoughts.

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I should have posted this in my post above 02-11-2025 at 01:12pm

The Late Robert Crump.

One example of who he was.

TG Audio Lab SLVR Power Inlet Cords (August 2002)

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