Cable Options from Breaker to Receptacle

My suspicion has been that the power cords and cables that utilize a multitude of separately insulated small gauge conductors have been inspired by Litz wire, which is a technique that has long been used in high frequency applications, transformer applications, and inductor applications, for reasons that are explained in the article.

I have seen lots of claims and "theories," to use Risch's word, alleging that similar principles to those that are behind Litz wire apply to audio power cords and speaker cables (with the novel addition of the "strand jumping" distortion theory). None of those claims that I am aware of, though, are backed up in a quantitative manner. Given that skin effect is utterly inapplicable at 60Hz, and at best very slightly applicable at 20kHz (and completely inapplicable even at 20kHz if the wires are thin), in the absence of plausible quantitative technical rationale skepticism would seem to be justified.

Which is not to deny that many of those cords and cables may provide excellent performance in many systems. However without a well established technical rationale and understanding, system dependencies figure to be unpredictable, and the correlation between price and performance figures to be loose.

IMHO.

Best regards,
-- Al

Stan,

My intent was not sway you one way or the other. Given the choice I will use solid core wire for my audio branch circuits. Stranded is a hell of lot easier to work with though.

Cheers,
Jim

Hi Al,

A lot of this hobby is based on theory. In the end it all depends on the listener.....

Maybe all the aftermarket cable designer/manufactures are reading from the same page.

Here is another one.
http://www.nordost.com/Odin-Supreme-Reference-Power-Cord-P35.asp

Jim

Rtn1,

Solid core in-wall wiring
http://www.audioexcellenceaz.com/wire.htm

Note: As Mofimadness said in his post make sure the in-wall wiring is Listed and approved by UL and or CSA for the intended use.

Anyone with experience comparing some of these?