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Interconnect Directionality

Have I lost my mind? I swear that I am hearing differences in the direction I hook up my interconnect cables between my preamp and power amp. These are custom built solid core silver cables with Eichmann bullet plugs. There is no shield so this is not a case where one end of the cable’s shield is grounded and the other isn’t. 

There are four ways ways to hook them up:
Right: Forward. Left: Forward. 
Right: Backward. Left: Backward
Right: Forward. Left: Backward
Right: Backward. Left: Forward. 

There is no difference in construction between forward and backward, but here are my observations:

When they are hooked up forward/backward there appears to be more airy-ness and what appears to be a slight phase difference. When hooked up forward/forward or backward/backward, the image seems more precise like they are more in phase. The difference between forward/forward and backward/backward is that one seems to push the soundstage back a little bit while the other brings it towards you more. 

What could possibly cause this? Does it have something to do with the way the wire is constructed and how the grains are made while drawn through a die? Am I imagining this? Have I completely lost my mind?
128x128mkgus

Showing 4 responses by ahofer

ahofer
225 posts
 
The less evidence there is for a given position, the more bluster you will encounter among its defenders.  I have yet to see controlled tests that yield a strictly audible difference between heavy gauge cables, let alone directionality.  Here are two cites.  The second test suggests some differentiation between zip cord and higher quality cable, but look carefully what was preferred, and by whom, for a laugh.

http://www.aes-media.org/sections/pnw/pnwrecaps/2000/lampen/
https://www.stereophile.com/content/minnesota-audio-society-conducts-cable-comparison-tests-0

We should keep our minds open to new evidence, but do not be cowed by "if you can't hear it get out of the pool" assertions, those are just obnoxious bluster (by a cable vendor, no less).  Extraordinary claims require evidence.  Ask for it.
ahofer
225 posts
 
Well, not you, specifically. It’s the editorial “we.” 😬 At this point in time I’m just being Devil’s advocate.

I have the distinct feeling you do a lot more of that than you let on.
ahofer
225 posts
 
ahofer, so I assume you don’t actually have any kind of theory and just like flapping your gums.

Nothing wrong with theory, but the assertion was there was an *audible* difference in practice.  There's a way to support that assertion with evidence, but I'm not seeing it here.

Did you mean "flapping your gums" as more of an improbable tweak? Like this?  

http://www.machinadynamica.com/machina60.htm
ahofer
225 posts
 
We already know that wire directionality is real and that it’s audible.


When, exactly, was that established. And how?
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