Thanks John. I think I'll try them, although I notice that your links are to hookup cable so four individual runs would have to be ordered. That might actually be more convenient for me and is definitely a little less expensive than ordering the equivalent gauge speaker cable. However does the hookup wire have the same oil impregnated cotton covering as the speaker cable and is it otherwise identical to the latter? There is also a heavier gauge speaker cable that might be interesting (12awg as opposed to 16awg).
PS: Send me a PM or call; I want to hear your story about how you ended up where you are and more about the area.
Yes, it gets a little confusing, this is what I've determined from research and the partsconnexion (PC) website.
(1) if you buy the individual runs of "
hookup wire", you need 2 runs per speaker. I just gently twist them together like shown in the photos here:
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=155917.0If you have bi-wire speakers and feel experimental, you can do 4 runs to each speaker. In my research I came across some comments (Jeff Day?) about nothing positive provided. Plus, things might get a little jammed up on the amp end. In my own case, initially I just wanted to try the single run.....see if I liked it.....and could always add a 2nd set in the future if I wanted to. Single run sounds so good on my bi-wire speakers, I have no desire to do so.
(2) If you read the earlier link to my AC seller, and the PC catalog, it does describe these individual runs of "
hookup wire" as having the "
cotton oil" covering.
Be careful, PC also sells Duelund cable with a Poly jacket instead of the "cotton oil:
https://www.partsconnexion.com/DUELUND-84782.html(3) I'm pretty sure -- but not 100% definite -- that only diff between what PC calls "
hookup wire" vs "
speaker cable" is that the latter contains the 2 runs of the hookup wire inside of a braided outer jacket. Just like a traditional SC, so per speaker you just order the length you need.
at current prices, the 12awg "
speaker cable" is the better deal:
https://www.partsconnexion.com/DUELUND-82323.htmlhttps://www.partsconnexion.com/DUELUND-87080.html(4) 12awg vs 16awg: TBH I didn't sweat it too much. My understanding is that the heavier gauge is for higher power situations. I'm moving to efficient speakers and low power tubes so I figure 16awg is fine. Plus, from what I could gather in my internet browsing, the 16 just seems to be the more popular choice. IIRC the few comparisons I did come across describes the 12 as maybe faster and a bit leaner and more resolved, while the 16 has a more relaxed and natural organic quality. I tend to gravitate to the latter.
PS: I enjoyed the SC so much that I bought this IC:
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649707043-duelund-dca16ga-with-kle-copper-harmony-rca-interconnects/It too sounds very nice. And great price when you consider the connectors alone cost about 50 bux. And I love love love how flexible and easy to route this stuff is. Sick and tired of thick / stiff / heavy pretentious audiophile cable. Ridic. Time to simplify.
I'll give you a call.
