simple wire question

[eri77]

This may seem a silly question to some, but here goes....stranded or single core?, does it matter? the reason i ask is because I am a electrician, and single core is really hard to come by in my neck of the woods, but i am literally tripping over stranded.

Thanks,
Josh

[Bob-I]

The great debate...

Some folks like solid because it stays where it's put better, others like stranded because there's less chance of an open circuit from a fracture. I'm of the second school, I use stranded and manage to get it to stay in place.

Bottom line, if you have stranded, use it.

[eri77]

Thanks Bob, so it has nothing to do with the quality of the signal path?

[CapnCrunch]

I tried some pre-bonded wire on my last build. The amp ( a Rocket clone) sounds great. The Express and Liverpool might yield different results, but I had a great experience with the pre-bonded wire in this amp. It bends and holds a bend almost as well as solid, and it doesn't break like solid wire. Plus, it solders like a dream.

The other day, I was trying some mods on a 5e3 Deluxe I built a few years ago with solid wire. In the process of de-soldering a lead from the V1 pre-amp tube I broke the lead (and I wasn't putting much stress on it). Made me pretty nervous about the other solder joints on all the other tubes......

I see you're down under, so I don't know where you get pre-bonded wire in your part of the world. I ordered mine from Mojo, but many places carry it.

[Bob-I]

Thanks Bob, so it has nothing to do with the quality of the signal path?

As long as you have 600V insulation and reasonable gauge (I like 18AWG myself) there's no difference in the signal path.

[Ken Moon]

Thanks Bob, so it has nothing to do with the quality of the signal path?

It's a question of reliability. Solid wire isn't allowed in military, aviation or space electronics because it breaks too easily under vibration.

That being said, solid wire can and has been used reliably - the trick is to bend solid wire only once at a single location.

If you feel the need to straighten a piece of solid wire that has been bent at a 90 degree angle, or bend it in a different direction, throw that piece out and use a new one.

Reliability will be fine, and you can get those super-neat looking wire runs.

Myself, I only use stranded.

[jammybstard]

This may seem a silly question to some, but here goes....stranded or single core?, does it matter? the reason i ask is because I am a electrician, and single core is really hard to come by in my neck of the woods, but i am literally tripping over stranded.

Thanks,
Josh

There's a lot of HIFI audiophool, I mean audiophile, debate about skin effect of multistarnded wire vs Single cored purity, however HIFI is all about transparity and guitar amps are all about creating a sound, so even if there is some miniscule effect on the signal it just becomes part of your amps tone; so why worry!

[billyz]

According to my son the Nuclear research scientist, Stranded is the best for audio signals. Litz wire is the ultimate. as noted earlier, stranded is also superior in durability. But a lot of great amps have and will be made with solid core wire.

Also, the insulation type will have a great effect on the signal as well. Teflon is one of the superior insulators.

[xtian]

Also, the insulation type will have a great effect on the signal as well. Teflon is one of the superior insulators.

Teflon is an excellent thermal insulator. Are you suggesting it is also an EM insulator? Otherwise how could it effect the signal?

[jammybstard]

Also, the insulation type will have a great effect on the signal as well. Teflon is one of the superior insulators.

Teflon is an excellent thermal insulator. Are you suggesting it is also an EM insulator? Otherwise how could it effect the signal?

Again Audiophool territoy; when you have a pair of wires carring a signal as in a stereo interconnect you have two conductors close to each other seperated by an insulator; AKA a capacitor that will have an effect on the sound;
PTFE (teflon) has a very low dielectric absorption making lower capacitance cables which improves the signal carrying ability.

But if your dealing with single cables in Point to point wiring the PTFE will make no difference at all.
That said, I have some silver coated PTFE wire and it's a joy to solder, the insulation never melts back no matter how hot you get it.

[Jana]

we already covered the wire issue:

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?t=10571

[eri77]

we already covered the wire issue:

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?t=10571

I just wanted to start another 11 page debate

[billyz]

No debate as from me.

http://www.cardas.com/content.php?area= ... udio+Cable

People believe what they choose to. Some cannot accept that the earth is not the center of the universe.

[Sonny ReVerb]

People believe what they choose to. Some cannot accept that the earth is not the center of the universe.

I'm sure you're right, billyz, but sometimes you have to question the source of the "science". It always seems to prove the purveyor's product is the best (e.g. cigarette companies).

I hear angel hair is the best conductor, but I haven't found any to test

[billyz]

People believe what they choose to. Some cannot accept that the earth is not the center of the universe.

I'm sure you're right, billyz, but sometimes you have to question the source of the "science". It always seems to prove the purveyor's product is the best (e.g. cigarette companies).

I hear angel hair is the best conductor, but I haven't found any to test

I agree the seller will always " Promote" their product. At least he supported his Idea with a Screen shot of the signal trace.
I know there is much poo pooing of such claims. Many would like to believe things don't make any difference. If only the world was that simple.
If it can't be explained by "simple/basic" science? then it must not be real science. I am certainly glad that . Newton,Galileo,Copernicus, 100's more, were not swayed by conventional wisdom.

In my personal journey, I have found that indeed there are differences.
Yes, most would say that Teflon, or polypropylene, etc sound bright. The Japanese believe Natural fibers sounds , Well the most natural.

my point is insulators do make a difference, even outside the use of pairs of conductors.
I will agree the audible difference is not on the scale of some other factors, the first being circuit design.

To call someone a Fool because their opinion/experience is different than yours is well, in my opinion PHOOLISH.

And finally, KF believed insulators made a difference.