Also, materials cost can be a factor.
Years ago, I discovered that silver conductors sounded best in my main system, and I was able to afford the conversion to all silver.
But some time after that, the price of silver rose substantially, and I noticed that virtually all manufacturers switched away from it.
My silver cables still sound better to me than current copper offerings.
One thing to be careful about for used cable, though -- older cable may have experienced a degree of oxidation. While I know oxidation on the connectors is bad and should be cleaned off (with the right solution) periodically, I don't know the effect that oxidation on the conductor body might have. It might be audible. And it would be hard to remove without cutting through insulation etc.
Years ago, I discovered that silver conductors sounded best in my main system, and I was able to afford the conversion to all silver.
But some time after that, the price of silver rose substantially, and I noticed that virtually all manufacturers switched away from it.
My silver cables still sound better to me than current copper offerings.
One thing to be careful about for used cable, though -- older cable may have experienced a degree of oxidation. While I know oxidation on the connectors is bad and should be cleaned off (with the right solution) periodically, I don't know the effect that oxidation on the conductor body might have. It might be audible. And it would be hard to remove without cutting through insulation etc.