|   14 guage wire choices | ptt660
Nov 22, 2001 8:09 PM | | i have been looking for 14 guage wire for my rear surround speakers. i have narrowed it down to either recoton or the liberty on clearance at onecall.com. the liberty costs twice as much, but claims to be oxygen-free. the recoton does not claim to be oxygen-free. what is the benefit in buying oxygen-free wire? or is it just a waste of money? thanks for your help! |
| re: 14 guage wire choices | Dick Hertz
Nov 22, 2001 8:49 PM | | I seriously doubt that unless you have the ears of a bat and a system that's capable of resolving very minute differences in the sound of components (what sound there may be), don't sweat the oxygen-free question. As long as the wires are of sufficient gauge, low resistance relative to the length required, and are terminated securely, everything will be OK. If you are still nervous, get 12 ga. wire from Parts Express and sleep well. |
| re: 14 guage wire choices | mtrycrafts
Nov 22, 2001 10:38 PM | | "unless you have the ears of a bat"
I'd like to read the DBT from their listening tests:) |
| Bats' ears | Pat D
Nov 23, 2001 8:52 AM | | You have no idea how difficult it has been trying to get the local population of bats to participate in DBTs. First of all, some of them want a couple of months supply of insects. Second, a number of them feel they have a reputaion to uphold, and it would not be in their interest if it proved that they could not tell the difference between wires. Third, a large contingent simply think that they know what they hear, and that's that.
I suppose I could take the little beasts by force and measure the reaction of their brain waves to various stimuli, but 1) this would require expensive equipment, 2) would require obtaining a supply of bugs for them and 3) would deprive them of their civil liberties. |
| Bats' ears | mtrycrafts
Nov 23, 2001 6:26 PM | | Thanks for your explanations. Now I feel better and more informed:) |
| Bats' ears | Pat D
Nov 25, 2001 9:14 AM | | I am glad I have been helpful. |
| re: 14 guage wire choices | mtrycrafts
Nov 22, 2001 10:35 PM | | "liberty costs twice as much, but claims to be oxygen-free. the recoton does not claim to be oxygen-free. "
That claim is really not necessary as copper wire has at minimum 99.95% oxy free processing. Claims of any more is just not meaningful.
So, Recoton is also oxy free as it is standard process. Get that at half the cost. |
| re: 14 guage wire choices | ptt660
Nov 23, 2001 5:05 AM | | thanks for the help guys! looks like i'll save some money and get the recoton. the next time i have the urge to waste money on audio stuff again, i'll come here for a reality check! |
| re: 14 guage wire choices | Clyde-o
Nov 23, 2001 3:43 PM | | ptt660: First it looks better if "guage" is spelled correctly--gauge.
Secondly, if wire doesn't matter why do so many guys on audioreview.com (B&K site) say such wonderful things about special wire?? I'm also hard to convince. OFHC copper is purer & is crystalline more perfect--i.e. there is less resistance to the flow of current across the crystal structure. But I think that 12 gauge would be much better. Also I think all this "Special" wire has more to do more with the way it is wound & twisted in pairs than the diameter of the wire as far as the purity--imagined or otherwise-- of the sound goes. I was just getting ready to change my #12 lamp cord to something better after reading what all these guys have to say on audioreview.com. |
| re: 14 guage wire choices | mtrycrafts
Nov 23, 2001 6:37 PM | | "Secondly, if wire doesn't matter why do so many guys on audioreview.com (B&K site) say such wonderful things about special wire?? "
Why wouldn't they? Why is it a surprize? Is audio somehow immune from bias, human gullibility, hype, bs, myth and placebo? Is any of the reviews based in a bias controlled listening?
Why do people consult psychics? Homeopathic medicines, holistic healers? Why do they believ in creation, intelligent design, etc?
Why do they believ in the supernatural?
"OFHC copper is purer & is crystalline more perfect--"
Is it now? How much oxy free does it need to be for audiophile copper?
"i.e. there is less resistance to the flow of current across the crystal structure. "
How much less? Any data, hard numbers? How about the next larger gauged cable instead? That yields a 20% improvement in conduction, does your come close?
"I was just getting ready to change my #12 lamp cord to something better after reading what all these guys have to say on audioreview.com. "
What is better? How is it better? Do you believe everything you read without questioning it? |
| re: 14 guage wire choices | Clyde-o
Nov 23, 2001 3:44 PM | | ptt660: First it looks better if "guage" is spelled correctly--gauge.
Secondly, if wire doesn't matter why do so many guys on audioreview.com (B&K site) say such wonderful things about special wire?? I'm also hard to convince. OFHC copper is purer & is crystalline more perfect--i.e. there is less resistance to the flow of current across the crystall structure. But I think that 12 gauge would be much better. Also I think all this "Special" wire has more to do with the way it is wound & twisted in pairs than the diameter of the wire as far as the purity--imagined or otherwise-- of the sound goes. I was just getting ready to change my #12 lamp cord to something better after reading what all these guys have to say on audioreview.com. |
| re: 14 guage wire choices | FLZapped
Nov 23, 2001 6:31 PM | | OK, well then, why won't they demonstrate it's superiority then if it's so special??
-Bruce |
| re: 14 guage wire choices | mtrycrafts
Nov 23, 2001 6:38 PM | | ", i'll come here for a reality check!"
Please do. Audio is not immune from the hype, bs, mythology and marketing snake oil claims. |
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