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Directional interconnect cables

I see several big-name interconnect vendors mark directional arrows on the outer jacket of the cables.

How is it that a wire can be directional? It's a simple electrical conductor, how is it possible for it to be directional, to sound "better" when connected in one direction vs. the other? This does not make sense to me, perhaps someone here can explain how this can possibly be so...
lupinthe3rd
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
Nelson Pass, one of the most famous and experienced amp designed has written a short article about ground loop a few years ago(see link below). In which he also discussed cable shielding and how it should be connected. Please take a look and see if that answers your question.

http://www.passdiy.com/pdf/articles/ground-loops.pdf
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
2,267 posts
 
MIT and Transparent cables have direction due to the networks involved, which need to be close to the termination of the signal. Ordinary cables have no inherent direction but should be used in the same manner once installed.
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
Some "ordinary cables" are indeed directional, but only as it relates to the ground. Do what your cable maker says. They are NOT consistant from maker to maker.

Dave
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
2,267 posts
 
True, no absolutes!
jburidan
672 posts
 
Acoustic Zen says the arrow points in the direction of signal flow, e.g., from CDP to pre-amp, from pre-amp to amps, from amps to speakers.
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