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Silver speaker cable question

We recently bought a pair of Klipschorn speakers. The speaker wire connection won't allow us to continue using our 4' Quicksilver pure silver speaker cables, which we really like.

So I made a pair of 6' pure silver speaker cables--2 strands of 20ga for each pos/neg connection in teflon sheathing--and they sound woefully thin. I've heard another system with these cables, and the music sounds quite full. Problem is, it's been so long since we got the Quicksilver that I can't remember if this is normal for new silver cables. Tonight, I hooked up one side with the Quicksilver (only one side is long enough, and just barely), and there is a big difference in the tonal roundness and fullness of the music coming from that speaker. When I swap the cables, the other speaker becomes the better one.

I'm dreading finding replacement cables for the Quicksilver, and I really can't spend $500 right now for a 6' pair from them. With them in the chain, the music is more lively and transparent than with any other cable I've tried. So the question is, do we save our pennies, or do we give my DIY's adequate time to burn-in?

*Also, I hate to have to say it, but if your position concerning cables/burn-in/etc. will not allow you to resolve this dilemma, please don't respond. I'd rather not be the author of yet another mucky cable thread on the fastrack for censorship. In other words, please just answer the question. Thank you.
Howard
128x128boa2
jax2
3,031 posts
 
IMO two strands is not enough Howard. Before you give up on it, I would add an additional 6 strands per connection (8 strands each) of the same silver wire and see if it makes a difference. I have wires constructed that way and they are wonderful and have been my preference in every wire shootout I've tried with them. Unfortunately they too are quite short. I don't know where you are getting your silver wire, or for how much, but you can find it at Homegrown in bulk for $1.85 a foot for 22 awg 100+ feet. If you already have six foot double lengths you'll need a total of 144 feet more, or about $300+. If you are skeptical order half and try it out on one wire as a comparison, or try six strands rather than eight. Either way should yield a marked improvement. They also sell a braided version of a thinner gauge wire, but I think it's cheaper to run straight wires with zip ties. My experience has been that silver wires do indeed seem to take a long time to burn in. You may want to give your two-wire deal more time, but I still think it would be bested by what I'm suggesting.

Congrats on the new Khorns!

Marco
ellery911
549 posts
 
I'm not familiar with Quicksilver speaker cable, but when I checked their website, they say that the cable is 15 guage, however, there is no comment as to how many cables make up the final product. on the flipside...I checked out the Homegrownaudio website and noticed that they use 32 strands of 22 guage sliver wire in their cables but they do not say what the final cable guage is. I'm not sure of how guages add up...but could it be that you might need to have more cables. just a guess on my part. hope it helps.

Ellery
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
Just a note on my experience with silver speaker wire:
When I got my new Celtic Silver it sounded like crap,or worse. It took 7 days of 24 hrs,of playing---then it sounded great.----This for $1500 worth with all the right stuff;inside. You seem to have the lack of proper geometry and break-in---no wonder??
s23chang
620 posts
 
Howard,
In most cases from my DYI pure silver DYI speaker cables, it takes min 50 to 100 hours for it to settle in. 200+ hours to be fully burn in. This is no different from DYI interconnects as well.

The problem you have is not because the burn in. Rather, it is because of the damping factor for the speaker load.

You can calculate the right damping factor to match the sensitivity of your speaker.

www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/wirecalculator.xls

As long as your DF is greater than 200 then it became diminish return.

Just remember, the thicker you make, the longer break-in time required

Hope this helps
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