Cable Current Flow Direction


Regarding cables that do not have an arrow indicating the current flow from the source to the next component in the chain:

I consider the labelled or banded end of an interconnect cable to be the source end. Is this the generally accepted norm? Some cables are just plain. But when you purchase cables with a band or label at one end, often this means something, but they rarely tell you what. Somewhere along the way I think someone told me that this is the source end. Thank you!
poetcatullus
Arrows will point in the direction of signal flow toward the receiving component.

My understanding is that any noise picked up by the shield will not pass with the audio signal downstream to the next component.
Poetcatullus,

All wire is directional to some degree. Solid core wire being the most directional.

Is there any writing on the cables as well as the bands?
If there is writing on the cables the flow from the source to the amp is usually in the same direction as reading the writing on the cable.

Example.
CDP >>> The Greatest Cable Company on Earth >>> preamp.

If the cables are new you will need to break them in first.

After break in try reversing the cables and listen to them reversed for a while.

Stick with what ever sounds best to you. Just make sure both ICs are installed in the same direction.
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Tls49, interesting. I'm not one to buy into the b.s.; call me skeptical but... When I had a horrible ground loop hum, I was switching everything around to try to get rid of it and accidently hooked up a pair of audioquest diamond back rca's up in the wrong direction. It actually made the ground loop hum quieter this way. Go figure.
One of the few reasons I know for directionality of a cable is if they only ground the wire internally at one end. They mark the direction so that you put the correct ground in place.