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Stranded vs singal core conductors and skin effect

Yea, Yea, I did a search. I did find similar topics, but I still don't know which solution is preferable. Many mega-buck cables utilize solid core. Is solid core a better solution (conductor, etc.)? Isn't it the geometry (twisting, braiding, etc.) that addresses the skin effect issues? Are there other scientific reasons for utilizing stranded wire vs singal core? I am really considering making some DIY speaker cables. If for no other reason, than just for kicks - sounds kind of fun. I have read up on so many different theories. I realize that inductance and resistance are extremely important factors, as well as capitance, and for whatever reason, it must be a challange to design a cable with extreamly low measurments in all three categories?? I don't really fully understand why. HOLD ON - I don't want a complete lesson here. I'm just seeking some input from the engineering-minded or the knowledgeable DIY community as to which type of wire offers the best conductivity (and other factors??) for designing a DIY speaker cable. Additionally, which geometry is the preferred method?
2chnlben
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
As an audio enthusiast with an engineering background, have you ever experimented with DIY cabling??

I have tried 12 AWG 16 AWG - can't say as I can hear a difference but I tend to try to choose components in a rather specific way;

=> speakers that are an easy load (not 4 Ohm and no nasty dips )

= amps whose output is not sensitve to load variations.

...perhaps this explains my experience perhaps I just have tin ears or I blindly accept all to readily what was taught to me in school. Whatever it is, my experience does not match what others find. So youu have to make up your own mind.
photon46
1,089 posts
 
Don't be surprised if, after experimentation and auditioning new cables, you wonder if you improved anything compared to your Kimber 4tc. Like Shadorne said, if your speakers are an easy load and your amp has no unusual quirks, getting spendy on speaker cable might yield you poor returns on dollars spent. Kimber 4tc is no slouch.
2chnlben OP
595 posts
 
Thanks for the "sound" advice. You know, I think I've simply been putting off the DIY project that really needs to be addressed in my system - room treatments. I've got the proverbial itch going as of late and I have been playing around with tweaks, but ignoring the acoustic treatments. Like so many, I want to maintain a nice "livable" area and at the same time, a good sounding area, without have one infringe upon the other. Besides, I’m having a darned hard time finding Owens Corning 700 series products?? Years ago, when I built a dedicated sound room for my first wife (it was for me at the time, but she ended up with it….because it was IN the HOUSE!) I was able to purchase it locally. Can’t find a local supplier now?? Boy, how I digress…this is supposed to be about cables. I think I’m past that now. Thanks!
photon46
1,089 posts
 
Now you're talkin'. Room treatments potentially offer an upgrade of considerable impact for not much dinero if you go the DIY route. Acoustimac.com and other internet outlets are where you need to look for DIY supplies. After making four DIY bass traps, I couldn't believe how much improvement was realized for a weekends work and minimal cash outlay.
palerider
46 posts
 
There`s a lot of legends around this theme. One is that thicker cores gives skin-effect, that`s just a farytale as long as we talk about audio frequenses.
In princip there should be no multicore anywhere in a system if you want the ultimate. Not only do the signal run blindly between the different conductors and by that generating a lot of distortion/energy loss, houndreds og hairthin conductors do not work as well as onr thick even if it does teoreticly.

I`ve done a lot of research on this, in any level from ic`s to powercords. Not any solid conductor will do, the best stranded might outperform some solids. Flat/foil is not optimal, even if the legend tells so.
The whole powercircuit from trafo secondarys and all the way into the speakers voice-coil should are were sensitive to resistance and should be done in heavy gauge solid core. One of my best uppgrades was a set of custom-built trafor for my poweramp, completed with a set of solid core powercords.
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