Question for users of bare wire ends speaker cable

Sean: Dont' do your science homework on cable purveyors' Web sites. Karls is dead right about skin effect--it's inconsequential at audio frequencies. If you like solid wire, use solid wire. Just spare us the "scientific" justifications.

As for corrosion, I have my doubts about how important corrosion is on exposed surfaces, which are, by definition, not points of contact. But I agree with other posters who state that a good crimp is critical (and undoubtedly better than a so-so solder job).

I also agree a high pressure contact withstands corrosion tremenduosly. I have taken apart crimped copper connectors, together for fifty years, and they were bright. The two contacting metals must be of the same atomic structure. If they are not the same, they will start to corrode upon contact. (Here he goes again!)

~~~~Basically metals of dissimilar atomic structures, no matter how minute, have differences of electrical potential by construction. If you ever had an electrical device spark/arc/shortcircuit, there was always a pitting or deposition of metal from one surface to another. Along with the pitting is some oxidization. Warning! Warning! Stagnant portion of brain now being accessed!

~~~~This has been brought to you by the makers of "Space Food Sticks" the snacks of the astronauts.(Anybody remember those things?) My typing finger is tired, my brain is smoking, time to butt out. <(+)><(+)> Thanks AG for puttin up with me!............................ ............... () .....................................
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Bomarc, as to "doing my science homework on on cable manufacturers websites", let me know when scientists know and can explain everything. Until then, i can stop learning all of this "dis-information" and get the REAL "edjamikashun" when all is said and done. Sean
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Sean, actually "skin effect" works the opposite way from what you think, if I'm reading your post correctly (and I may not be). That is, at higher and higher frequencies, a solid core wire of a certain gauge will transmit current (i.e., electrons) worse than a bunch of paralleled smaller wires that make up the same gauge. This is because skin effect causes the electrons to travel on or near the surface only, and stranded wire has much more surface area than solid wire of the same net gauge. Again, this really doesn't come into play until WAY above the audio range, at which point all kinds of things are different and solid-core wire has other benefits as well. That said, I'm a big fan of solid-core wire for audio use as well. The problem is that gauge is one of the most critical properties determining wire performance and "sound", and 10 gauge solid core wire is stiff as hell. Thus the preference for stranded conductors or solid-wire Litz windings in most people's setups.

Karls, the SHAPE and SURFACE AREA of the wire is what determines if there will be a problem with skin effect. That is why Tara uses an oval wire, as it has more surface area than a round wire. Goertz takes this WAY further and makes the entire conductor "surface area". Since the conductor has no depth to it, there is no time delay or smear as frequency is varied. You get the best of all worlds i.e. large gauge for low series resistance, high current capacity, no smear or time delay from skin effect, etc...

Nordost takes a similar approach but in a different manner with different electrical characteristics. They too use flat conductors to minimize skin effect and increase surface area, etc... Instead of one big conductor though, they use several smaller conductors arranged in a different geometric pattern. This is done to alter the electrical characteristics to meet their specific design goals. Sean
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