MAG WIRES – some ramblings about cable theory.
I’ve done a lot of experimenting and research into cables. Being from an Electrical Engineering background I find some of the more esoteric concepts interesting. For example, there are those who can prove that low-voltage alternating signals (of the audio variety) actually flow on the outside of a conductor, carried along through a quasi-magnetic field – like a magic carpet ride. There is no doubt to the presence of the field but some skepticism when people try to imagine their precious signal floating along in space. Even though the conductor doesn’t directly pass the signal, it is still essentially the conduit through which the signal passes, albeit elevated from the surface. The point is, the electrical properties of the conductor are still relevant to the way in which the signal passes. But what becomes even more relevant is the insulation on the conductor. Those familiar with the function of a capacitor understand that in many ways, the insulation on the signal wire is performing a capacitor-like function. As the signal rises and falls, it is essentially “charging” the insulation in much the same way as a capacitor plate is charged. And like a capacitor the insulation eventually releases the charge back into the circuit. The amount of charge and timing of the release, is determined by the properties of the insulation and the properties of the signal. We can hear the way a conductors insulation affects the sound, it manifests as a “smearing” affect, where there’s a muddiness to the sound, a veiling. What we’re hearing is the capacitive affect of the insulation – it’s storing charge from the signal then releasing it back into the circuit with the inevitable delay.
What does all this mean to us? – well in my opinion, it’s the insulation on a conductor that has the most impact on how it will sound (assuming that basic criteria are met for the actual conductor, that it isn’t overly resistive etc).
The best sounding wires I’ve ever used were/are uninsulated silver, solid-core wires, 20AWG. In terms of clarity and detail there’s been nothing better in my experience. Unfortunately they are not practical for long-term use, for obvious reasons. With practical considerations met, the best cable would have to be magnet wire. Magnet wire is a solid-core copper wire available in a wide range of gauges. It has a very thin lacquer coating and is used primarily for windings in transformers and motors. Its insulation has a high voltage rating but it isn’t durable enough to be used in a typical circuit where it isn’t protected from mechanical abrasion. But for speaker wires, or signal wires it works very well.
I’ve run listening tests against a wide range of cables, including very expensive designs from Purist Audio and Virtual Dynamics. Magnet wire has always come out on top and by a significant margin. Like anything, if you’ve used cables in your system as tone-controls, the introduction of a new cable might tip the tonal balance away from what is pleasing to you, so factors have to be made for this when changing cables, as with any active component.
So, I think Magwire, with it’s very thin insulation, imparts the least sonic “signature” into the signal and sounds most neutral compared to the various cables that I’ve auditioned and lived with and I put that down to its extremely thin insulation.
But I’ve been around long enough to know that a LOT of people will disagree with me 🙂
Rooze
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