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Using solid copper THERMOSTAT wire as speaker wire

In the search for good speaker wire that doesn't break the bank, I came across a forum where one guy asserted that solid copper 2 wire thermostat wire would be the same as the solid copper wire that costs big bucks. The wire in question is 18 gauge. Can anyone out there confirm or rebut this assertion?

I've got Audio Research D-51 tube amp, Audible Illusions Modulus tube pre-amp, Rogers L2sa speakers, Oppo BDP95 CD and Project Expression III Classic turntable with Sumiko Pearl cartridge.
sprintz699
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,990 posts
 
You received a number of answers the first time you asked, so why did you post the same question 2 more times? Geez...
nicotico
187 posts
 
Thermostat wire vast improvement over doorbell wire
akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,244 posts
 
18 gauge wire or any other gauge thermostatic wire (or other like fare) simply is very poor quality - non-OCC - low-fi or "no-fi" product never contemplated for audio, and simply cannot compete against quality audio speaker cables.... full stop.

The higher you go in equipment quality and resolution capabilities, the more graphic the unfavourable results.

That "assertion" IMO comes from a type that somehow sees himself as John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness and also somehow prides himself on throwing around nickels like they are manhole covers.
theo's avatar
theo
2,690 posts
 
You have made a good investment into your system from what you have listed. Why scrimp now? Get a speaker wire that is in the same league as your equipment. Kinda like rebuilding Porsche with OEM or better components and putting re-cap tires on it save a few bucks.
Also in my experience with Bell or Thermostat wire is it is brittle and breaks easily, that is one of the reasons it is stapled in place to limit movement.
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