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One Return or Two for Interconnects?

I'm going to try making some interconnects using RCAs and have seen designs with two signal conductors and one return versus one signal and two returns (and of course other designs). I was wondering if - electrically speaking - one of these designs is better than the other? Does having two returns create any problems?
kencalgary
vandermeulen
191 posts
 
No problems. Also, how are you positioning the wires in relation to one another? Are they shielded independently? Explain your design.
kencalgary OP
45 posts
 
I intend to braid the wires which are unshielded - e.g., Kimber. The wires I'm using are 24 gauge Mundorf. I already have a Kimber connect from CD player to Preamp and do not have problems with RFI/EFI so I thought I might try this project which would replace the interconnect from pre to amp.

I tried this project before using 4 x 28 gauge Jupiter cotton insulated wires but found that the cotton insulation slipped down the wire when I was ready to solder to the RCAs. That, I figured wouldn't do as there was a good chance that uninsulated wires would touch! In that earlier arrangement I was going to use two wires each for the signal and return.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Actually, it is the return wire that has some theoretical advantage to bi-wiring. (One signal and two returns).

If the return wire has any resistance the Low terminal of the woofer will have an attenuated (and probably distorted) woofer voltage on it, and, with a single return wire, this voltage is applied to the tweeter Low terminal instead of zero volts.

I leave it up to others to figure out if the effect is significant.
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