Amp Internal Wire


Hi Gents, has anyone have any experience with upgrading amp or preamp internal signal wire? Most older equipment seems to have thin maybe sometimes poor internal wiring. In the world of OFC/OCC/Sterling and even more exotic wire available these days, any experiments done using this internally on components swapping out the cheap?

Lots of discussion about doing this with speakers, but never with components I've seen. For instance, I am thinking about replacing copper 'appliance' wire in an old Bryston with 14awg sterling from the board to the speaker binding post board.

 

Any thoughts?

rickysnit

Well, we are not talking binary function, a coat hanger might make it functional too, and I would never state I know more than an engineer, but I can say with a high degree of confidence a sterling conductor in the chain, no matter the variables changes the sound - usually for the better in my experience, and when we might compare this to pieces of copper Appliance Wire (AWM) used in the stock amp, not too far off from Home Depot material, I would bet fairly heavily Mundorf will be a change for the better.

Rhetorical question but why would one install a high end exhaust system in their vintage car to gain a few horse power and enjoy the job, knowing that Ford or Toyota wouldn’t install that level of exhaust quality out of the factory - engineers know there is better, but there is a business decision.

I enjoy doing it, and if the question is, is it all worth it for an estimated 10-15% change or improvement, I’d say yes maybe contrary to many, in my case and opinion, sure.. It’s my mustang.

@rickysnit 

Congrats on making the correct decision.

You may need plastic surgery to get the smile off your face after you make the changes and fire up your amp for the first time.

Rhetorical question but why would one install a high end exhaust system in their vintage car to gain a few horse power and enjoy the job, knowing that Ford or Toyota wouldn’t install that level of exhaust quality out of the factory - engineers know there is better, but there is a business decision.

Except they would and do depending on the vehicle. A high performance exhaust system made in high volume is but a small price adder and if it is increasing performance then it should be increasing MPG, highly saleable today. However that performance comes with trade-offs. The exhaust gives higher RPM horsepower, but usually gives up some low RPM torque. It likely results in a more peaky HP curve hurting how the car feels, while obviously being louder, and in real world driving, does not improve the MPG.

 

There are probably better analogies even for electronics where you could ask yourself why they don't use silver wire. I will leave those up to you.

 

and when we might compare this to pieces of copper Appliance Wire (AWM) used in the stock amp, not too far off from Home Depot material, I would bet fairly heavily Mundorf will be a change for the better.

 

What do you think the PCB traces that carry the majority of the signal are made of? What is the dielectric of the PCB?  I would take that bet without hesitation. HD used to sell something equivalent to AWM1015. Maybe they still do.

For years I have modified amps changing out the power cords ( non iec inlets ) to heavier gauge, speaker wire to the output posts, and in some cases, the low level signal wires. Always made a sq difference, usually for the better. Unless someone tries it, they should not have an opinion on whether it changes the sound, or not. Just my opinion and experience. Always, MrD.

Copper with a dielectric of whatever non-conductive material, don't care - PCB is not in scope, we can't make the board with Mundorf traces, at least not yet. You might want to try experimenting yourself, it's astounding what changes like this can bring, whether it's in your encyclopedia set or not.