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Wire differences explained common sense

I need to share what many other audiophiles may have missed. About me Im a 52 year old critical listener to the point I have to make myself just listen to the music and enjoy. What prompted me to write is a very long article in Audioholics and one thing stuck out was there is no difference between copper and silver.

Ok well there is. Im not a PhD or scientist but a very observant listener. One day I replaced my Silver Kimber KGAC with Tara labs copper interconnects. I listened noticing the sound become a little richer and full. I then put BTO "Hey You" on vinyl and something happened. I did not startle as the song starts. I always play it loud and I always jump just a little. I restarted and turned up volume as much as I dare and still no body reaction. I switched cables and bam, the dynamics returned and I was startled when song starts even though its about to begin.

It is scientifically known silver is a faster conducter. Hence maybe why it can be harsh on some setups. I have only 2 full sets of interconnects like above for the last 10 years. I have changed them out many many times and have noticed small differences each time. I have a cable burner also. My advantage is by not having many different sets of interconnects to confuse I can zero in on the 2 I know.

Just my observations here.
blueranger
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
How can you ascribe the differences to copper vs. silver rather than the strand diameter, strand count, how the strands are laid, the sheilding, or lack of sheilding in the Kimber, dielectric absorption, connector differences, the emi field that the cable is used in, etc.?

There is some desire on the part of audiophiles to ascribe differences that they hear to one dimensional product differences, but this seems questionable. Now comparing a copper Kimber interconnect to a silver Kimber interconnet, would still be flawed, but would, at least, remove some of the variables.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Viridian, that is exactly how I have come up with my conclusions on silver conductors versus copper conductors. I have heard silver and copper offerings from the same company, like Kimber, Audioquest, Acoustic Zen, Ridge Street Audio Design. Granted, these are only my impressions, and as usual, YMMV.
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
John, I take no issue with the conclusion, nor with your, or the OPs listening skills, and did not opine myself on the copper vs. silver issues as it applies to sonics. But when "common sense" appears in the header, I expect the logic to hold a bit of water. And I don't see how a comparison of cables with differing geometries, sheilding, connectors and dielectrics can lead us to the conclusion that the type of metal in the wire is the determiant of the resulting differences in sound quality.

I am a bit suspect of this statement as well, "It is scientifically known silver is a faster conducter. Hence maybe why it can be harsh on some setups." I would be interested in this science. Silver is more conductive than copper, acting less like a resistor. So that might be what this means. It could also be a reference to, the related propogation speed, the speed at which a signal passes through the medium. But I don't understand how greater propogation speed equates with brightness, fastness or hash within the audible range.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,132 posts
 
I don't see how a comparison of cables with differing geometries, sheilding, connectors and dielectrics can lead us to the conclusion that the type of metal in the wire is the determiant of the resulting differences in sound quality.
Nor do I.
arnettpartners
312 posts
 
Too logical.
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