Cables best suited to electrostatic speakers


I've been active in this hobby for over 55 years and have never understood how the choice of speaker cables and interconnects might be significant factors in optimizing my various systems. I simply bought relatively expensive wires thinking that they must be OK if "audiophiles" are using them. Because others much more studied than I have such strong and diverse thinking on the subject, though, I thought I should try to educate myself further.

This comes up because I recently made some changes to my setup and am having some difficulty adjusting my hearing to them. Because they are several the variables are many. I've used Martin Logan and Magnepan for most of my listening career having very recently replaced Martin Logan Odysseys that I've used since new about 14 years ago, with ML Ethos speakers. Because these seem to be somewhat more sensitive to what's going on upstream, it's the change that I need the most help with.

My present system consists of Shanling CD100 CD player, Peachtree Nova as preamp, two DBX1531 equalizers, Peachtree 220 amp, Silversonic T-14 cable terminated at both ends with bananas and Martin Logan Ethos speakers. As most, I want detail and timbre without brightness. Because of age related hearing issues I recently added the equalizers for a relative boost in those frequencies above 3500 Hz; this has worked out nicely, btw.

I don't know if this is at all relative to the issue but I seem to have a particular sensitivity to frequencies in the area of 1400 Hz, especially when originating from a percussive instrument like piano, corresponding to the approximate frequency of my tinnitus. One of my concerns is that my hearing may be degraded to the point that modifications that result in subtle changes may be beyond my ability to detect them and any improvement that I can hear might only be psychological.

So, the bottom line goes to the subject of this thread; could it be that one type of cable configuration or material is best suited to electrostatic panels? It seems to me that there shouldn't be but, as I said, till now, I've paid no serious attention to cables in general.
128x128broadstone

Showing 2 responses by weisen

Try running 6 or 7 runs of OCC 28 gage magnet wire twisted with a drill for both sides.  Twist both runs together with a drill again.  Cheap and great for Quads.  Get the best wire you can.  I've tied many different types wire.  Thin coated OCC magnet wire is the best I have found.  Low inductance high capacitance wire not costing a fortune. 
I got the OCC magnet wire from Sonic Craft.  It looks like they are out of it.  Hopefully they will get some in.  Part No is   90000217 25 AWG UPOCC Copper Magnet Wire.  Great sounding wire.  You can try a teflon coated wire, which sounds fine, but the real deal is the magnet wire.  The gage is important which is why you want to use 6 or 7 runs per side.

Bill