Looking for really fine cables at really low price

07-19-15: Tbg
John421, all copper cables would be more conductive, especially if the ends are not soldered on.

It is true that the conductivity of tin is roughly about 6 or 7 times lower than the conductivity of copper. However, to provide a quantitative perspective on that difference in the context of the WE speaker wire, and assuming (as I suspect) that the layer of tin comprises just a small fraction of the cross-sectional area of each strand of the wire, consider that the difference in conductivity and hence resistance between that wire and a hypothetical similar wire made of all copper would be vastly overshadowed if the copper/tin combo were simply made one gauge size larger.

And in many cases the conductivity and resistance of a speaker cable of reasonable gauge won't matter anyway, especially if speaker impedance is not particularly low and cable length is not particularly long.

07-19-15: John421
Would todays tin/copper cables have the same affect as the Western Electric style cables?

Sorry, but I have no idea. And I doubt that anyone else can say with any kind of certainty, unless they have compared the WE with a variety of modern tin/copper cables, and with a variety of speakers and amplifiers.

Regards,
-- Al

Crimson audio out of Austin Texas
Incredible sonics

Creston Funk and his son Creston
Great stuff. Great value

Check out Stereo-Lux interconnects from Germany. They are highly regarded among the industry insiders.

A few questions before I jump in. If I understand correctly, the WE 16ga speaker wire tends to get more lively (brighter ?) as it burns in. But, that might be cured by doubling the run. What about the Belden 8402 IC? Does it also become brighter also as it burns in. My preference is to keep body to the music. Thx!

Steakster - My experience with the speaker cables (I have not doubled them yet) and IC results in a "Yes" to both of your questions. Though these changes are noticeable, they are not significant and, IMO, did not alter the character of the 2 types of wires.

IMO, a more noticeable change for the 16 GA came when I went from copper/gold bananas (amp end only) to no connectors.

Re: the IC's, I am going to make a set with the shield connected at the source end only for a comparison.