Cable design


I have several questions relating to cable design. First, though, I do not want any comments related to whether cables sound different-at all. I want to assume that there is a difference in the sound of different cables. My questions relate to the construction of cables and how the construction relates to the sound. My internet search hasn't revealed many sources to cover this but if you know one, that will work too. Right now I want to concentrate on interconnects between pre-amp and amp.

First, design: coaxial solid vs coaxial stranded vs twisted pair.
Second, material: copper vs silver vs silver coated copper
Third, electrical characteristics (as a function of the above): impedance, resistance, capacitance.
Fourth, insulation
Fifth, shielding vs non-shielded

This is interesting to me and the last thing I want is any argument about whether or not cables make a difference. If I get around to making my own ICs I would like to have some guidance. Thanks.
tgrisham

Showing 2 responses by wolf_garcia

Ditto on balanced cable if your system supports it. Some cable theory makes sense (to me anyway), and solid core pure copper is one of them, although I do have a silver solid core S/pdif cable (AQ Vdm 5). The best speaker cable I've owned is a set of (currently in my system) AQ Type 8 spiraled star quad perfect surface copper blah blah that sound fabulous, and seem like a bargain if you can find some in the "used" cable market.
I own 2 high performance German cars and if you look under the hood you can't see a damn thing. I also have paid relatively very little for my pile of cables as I find it much more fun to find clean used stuff. Besides, orphan cables need a nice home!