Confounded Again. Heavy Gauge Speaker Wire vs Light

James Edward · April 17, 2015, 03:46:36 PM

I was thinking my system could use more 'air'. So I began the usual internet asking around thing, and I felt that perhaps my smooth as silk gold IC cables might be too smooth. So I contacted Pierre at Mapleshade, inquiring about his Excalibur uber-thin IC's. He inquired about what speaker cable I was using (9 gauge). Since I use 20/25 ft. lengths, I felt this was a good thing.
He did not think so... Long story short, I am now listening to his 'Golden Parallel' Plus wire, maybe 18 gauge?
So far, I'm enjoying the hell out of it. I'm only two days in, so I'm not going to gush, but the bass is definitely cleaner, and punchier. What I thought was room-boom is gone. Is this because there is less bass? I'm not sure yet.
There is zero treble grain in this wire. Smooth as silk, yet clear as a bell. It seems 'faster' than the other wire too. Whether all this wears on me after a while is yet to be seen.
To be continued...

KLH007 · April 18, 2015, 06:48:53 AM

Pierre's cables often topple expensive wires.

rollo · April 20, 2015, 08:25:14 AM

Jim give them more time. The bass is last to appear. They will take 250 hours to open up. Be patient.

charles

jimbones · April 20, 2015, 09:57:06 AM

Considering the double helix. Has anyone heard them?

Werd · April 20, 2015, 01:27:39 PM

Wire gauge lifts the bass off the floor. Depends on the woofer sizes and the amp size and style. I've always found with Big SS power the thicker gauge sits the bass more on the floor. While a lighter gauge (14) lifts the bass off the floor. I like 14 gauge power cords on amps. Never much heard anything higher, that I know of.

toobluvr · April 20, 2015, 02:00:09 PM

Lifts bass off the floor??

Dunno that I've ever heard that audio description.

Werd · April 20, 2015, 02:52:32 PM

I guess it depends on the speakers

KLH007 · April 21, 2015, 01:51:30 PM

Quote from: jimbones on April 20, 2015, 09:57:06 AM
Considering the double helix. Has anyone heard them?

The double helix is a great sounding cable, giant killer, especially the beginning of notes and a dynamic excitement that puts many expensive ( and thicker) cables to shame. Try them for 30 days on a money back guarantee, can't lose.

sleepyguy24 · April 23, 2015, 01:40:54 PM

Hi Jim,

I have the Mapleshade Double Helix Plus speaker wire with an EL84 based SET amp paired with efficient Omega single speakers and I love the pairing. The problem for me with this speaker wire is it is a royal pain in the butt to route. If you have your amp in a open area great. If not get ready to have your patience tested.

I did pair this speaker wire with an Aleph 5 clone amp for a little bit and it was fine pairing. The sound was neutral with no coloration added. The guy I bought the wires from used the Mapleshade Double Helix with tube gear exclusively. I'm not exactly sure how the Double Helix speaker wires mate with solid state gear.

sleepyguy24 · April 23, 2015, 01:45:15 PM

I forgot to ask. Has anyone gone from a heavy gauge power cord to a lighter one and found any sonic benefit?

I have a preamp and a CDP that I'm using Carol Cable 12AWG power cord on. I found I have a Hirakawa 16AWG power cord that a budget audiophile site reviewed well. I was wondering if anyone has gone from a fatter power cord to a thinner one and heard a sonic improvement. The system with Carol Cable 12AWG power cords sounds good to me. I don't want to take things apart to experiment with the Hirakawa but curiosity is gnawing at me. Thanks

James Edward · April 23, 2015, 02:13:29 PM

I agree about the routing- it is not friendly. Pierre at Mapleshade may be disappointed that the wires are simply run behind my couch, and not kept apart. It is simply impossible for me to do so.
But... They are a huge improvement over the 9 gauge Supra Classic 6.0 that I had been using. The treble sounds clearer, yet completely grain free. The bass is more distinct now. I always chalked my bass issues up to my rather large speakers in my room.
Transients have more punch, without being the least bit strident.
It's quirky handling characteristics aside, I love the sound right now.

I am also interested in the smaller gauge power cable question. My impression when upgrading to Shunyata cords was a sense of ease, or quiet. Maybe this has more to do with shielding and wire geometry and less to do with gauge. Does my cd player and tube preamp need 12 gauge or 10 to perform well?

tmazz · April 23, 2015, 08:31:40 PM

I don't think it is a matter of gauge as much as it is one of cable design. In theory a 16 gauge cable should be more than enough to handle the low drain of the average preamp. However I have found that The heavier TWL cords sound better on my pre and DAC than the lighter gauge ones did. Why, I have no idea, but my ears tell me they do. Of course other people may have different results.

But I do think that if a lighter gauge cable from a different company sounds better on your equipment it does not follow that the difference can be attributed to the fact that the wire sizes are different. There are just too many other variables that could be causing that difference.

TomM · April 25, 2015, 06:13:07 AM

i'm currently using Emotiva E-Connects.No specs given,only on the box states E-Connects No hype,no redefining the laws of physics;just the highest level of workmanship,performance,and quality.
Easy to work with.I'm using them with my PSB mini speakers.Sound great.A 3 meter length with banana plugs at a cost of $40.00.Give them a try.

PS sorry I dropped off the planet but hope to post on a regular bases

TomM

Werd · April 26, 2015, 03:51:46 PM

Quote from: sleepyguy24 on April 23, 2015, 01:45:15 PM
I forgot to ask. Has anyone gone from a heavy gauge power cord to a lighter one and found any sonic benefit?

I have a preamp and a CDP that I'm using Carol Cable 12AWG power cord on. I found I have a Hirakawa 16AWG power cord that a budget audiophile site reviewed well. I was wondering if anyone has gone from a fatter power cord to a thinner one and heard a sonic improvement. The system with Carol Cable 12AWG power cords sounds good to me. I don't want to take things apart to experiment with the Hirakawa but curiosity is gnawing at me. Thanks

I have two Blue Circle power cords. Identical except 14 and 10 gauge.
I preferred the 14 over the 10 plugged into my 14B using the Adagios.
It lifted the bass off the floor and I was able to get my air around the bass notes in the sweet spot. The 10 gauge bottom out more.

tmazz · April 27, 2015, 07:14:51 AM

Quote from: TomM on April 25, 2015, 06:13:07 AM
i'm currently using Emotiva E-Connects.No specs given,only on the box states E-Connects No hype,no redefining the laws of physics;just the highest level of workmanship,performance,and quality.
Easy to work with.I'm using them with my PSB mini speakers.Sound great.A 3 meter length with banana plugs at a cost of $40.00.Give them a try.

PS sorry I dropped off the planet but hope to post on a regular bases

TomM

Nice to see you back.