Question for users of bare wire ends speaker cable

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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I've read so many conflicting claims from manufacturers and dealers and afiles about the supposed merits of solid v stranded, round v oval, thin v fat, (you-fill-in) that I've become convinced--sorry, Sean, and others--that none of you really knows what they hell you are talking about.

Use the ears test. If it sounds good to your ears and you can afford it, buy it. If it sounds good and more expensive stuff sounds better, save up. If more expensive stuff doesn't sound better, spend the cash on more software. Or something.

And have fun.

Will

Sean: Karls, Bomarc and Bishopwill have some very good points regarding "skin effect" and other electrical claims. As an Electrical Engineer myself who is personal friends of Kimber's first cable (not Kimber), along being involved with some realistically priced proprietary designs that smoke most of the ultra expensive cables. I can say unequivioquly that you should NEVER believe any of the "electrical theory" which manufacturers write about cable design. Many (but not all) cable manufacturers feel the need to write mumbo jumbo claims, based on "electrical theory" such as "skin effect", just so audiophiles will think their particular design has a unique scientific basis.

There are quite a few decent cables out there, with quite a few more stinkers (one of the worst starts with a "T"). Just remember, that "sizzle sells".

As an industry insider I've learned to be very wary of the so called "electrical theories" of circuits, cables and the like. Once you get to personally know the designers, you realize that most of their marketing material that you read is just that, marketing material!

Correction to my last post: I meant to say: "personal friends with the designer of Kimber's first cable"