The Physics of Electricity


Can anyone explain clearly in either common parlance or technical terms the difference between a $1,000.00 cable and/or speaker wire versus a $20.00 (or so) one? What does wire "do" in an expensive cable/wire that an inexpensive cable/wire does not? Does it conduct more or "better" electricity?
llanger
Maybe it's not so much what the wires themselves "do", but what the components connected to the wires make them "do".
Post removed 
Unfortunately, no one can predict whether a particular cable will improve your system.
06-22-11: Lloydc
Unfortunately, no one can predict whether a particular cable will improve your system.
A good example of this would be a comparison between two interconnect cables, one having high capacitance, and the other having low capacitance.

If these cables were used as line-level interconnects, and driven by a component having high output impedance, the low capacitance cable will have GREATER bandwidth/faster risetime/faster transient response than the higher capacitance cable, as a result of its interaction with the output impedance of the component that is driving it.

That same low capacitance cable, if used as a phono cable in conjunction with a moving magnet cartridge, will tend to have LOWER bandwidth/slower risetime/more sluggish transient response than the higher capacitance cable, as a result of its interaction with the inductance of the cartridge.

Same cables, exactly opposite effects depending on what is being connected. And if those cables were compared while being driven by a line-level component having low output impedance, those particular effects would disappear. Is it any wonder that cable threads are so contentious?

Regards,
-- Al
There are plenty of cable manufacturers that will allow you to choose which cable will sound the best to you. Try them out in your home for 30 days and return them if you don't like them. You only end up paying for shipping both ways. It will save you aggravation from spending any amount on a cable that you are stuck with instead of enjoying. I did this with about ten different cables and chose the best one for my ears and my system. I'm glad that I went to all of the trouble. It was actually fun. Try it, you'll like it.