Silver or copper?

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I walked into my local dealer today to get some plugs then we got talking about speaker cables. I explained to him that mine (added to the CA amp) give out a somewhat-reduced level of bass it seems. Then he went "Clearwater? Lots of strands?... Silver?... we don't like silver cables much etc.".

So there we go: a quick poll and also discussion regarding what is generally considered to produce the warmer/colder/blotted/etc./etc sound...

My question #1: Would a copper cable be a better match for the Cambridge sound?

My question #2: Would a copper cable be warmer, more bassey than my current "silver" Clearwater?

 

[Anonymous]

1 ) Not necessarily.

2) No - for that sort of change, look to the amp or speakers.

Cables can make a small difference, but it is small and not enough to change the characteristics of a system. As you'd be aware, nothing splits the HiFi world like the great cable debate. My ears tell me a cable can't change the nature of the sound, but it can clarify certain aspects of it. It's a silk purse/sow's ear scenario.

Bearing in mind the coming depression, I'd stick with silver. At least it will be worth more if you have to melt it down and sell it!

 

[Anonymous]

I wonder about the lack of enthusiasm about those precious metals... Seems like it's all about vat these days! lol

Anyway, once my system kinda settles a bit, I intend to try different various types and brands, at least my runs are quite short (2 x 2-3m should be fine) so shouldn't be too expensive. And ebay's a good place to start it seems...

 

[the record spot]

Tarquinh:
1 )

No - for that sort of change, look to the amp or speakers.
Cables can make a small difference, but it is small and not enough to change the characteristics of a system.

Have to say I couldn't disagree more! If you took away the "small" my quibble would stop there and then, but having had the experience of removing a set of Nordost Blue Heavens and replacing them with AudioQuest Copperhead interconnects, the difference was literally like night and day.

I think replacing like with like will make a small difference (Van den Hul "The Name" with - say - QED Qunex 3) but sometimes there can be a fairly obvious shift that can make a decent impact.

That said, I would always look to the underlying tonal characteristic to be addressed by managing the selection of the source components, then the amps and speakers thereafter.

 

[Anonymous]

If you end up having some spare lengths of speaker wire knocking around try connecting them in parallel, as many as you can.

You might be surprised how good it sounds.

 

[Henley]

Clearwater? Lots of strands?... Silver?... we don't like silver cables much etc.".

Actually, it's silver plated copper and should be relatively neutral.

 

[matthewpiano]

I always thought I preferred copper but today I've upgraded my cables to Chord Company Chameleon Silver + interconnect and Chord Company Rumour 2 speaker cable. With no burn in yet, it already sounds considerably better than with my old Chord Crimson/Qed Micro combination. The sound is fuller, very consistent across the frequency range and extremely detailed without losing any of the attributes I've been enjoying since I upgraded my electronics. There is not a hint of harshness in the sound and, at this early stage in my listening, I would say this cable change has been one of the best upgrades I've ever made.

Thanks to Practial Hi-Fi for excellent advice as always.

 

[Anonymous]

Very similar to my upgrade last year, but I went to the Odyssey 2. Fantastic gains.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Iggle piggle siggle plated

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew Everard:Iggle piggle siggle plated

...you def don't want to know how that's made...