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RE: Free wire size calculator for your audio system

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In Reply to: RE: Free wire size calculator for your audio system posted by Karenmount on September 22, 2010 at 06:10:18

thanks
neat tool
I would like to understand why there is so much chatter about using small gauge wire for better sound speaker wire and/or IC
Even Mapleshade discusses using small ga wire and minimum speaker wire length of 8ft
So it goes.........

Follow Ups:

RE: Free wire size calculator for your audio system - IEaudiodude 08:21:17 09/22/10 (2)
I agree with DR , he persuaded me to give it a try and I found it to be an absolute positive "tweek". You have nothing to lose spending what it cost for a burger at Jack in the Box to find out. But me being me I couldn't leave it there so I "upgraded" to some DIY small 22 gauge pure silver wire cables and I am DONE with the speaker cable part of my MMG mods,total cost about $70
- RE: Free wire size calculator for your audio system - Dawnrazor 20:18:17 09/22/10 (1)
  IE,
  
  DId I miss the picts????
  
  No one here remembers the bending of our minds
  - RE: Free wire size calculator for your audio system - IEaudiodude 14:59:02 09/23/10 (0)
    I never even thought to take any pics DR . I just picked up what I needed and put them together . I figured it was just a simple set of wires ....
RE: Free wire size calculator for your audio system - Dawnrazor 07:42:27 09/22/10 (8)
The reason for the chatter Sailor is that those who have actually tried the thin gauge (and there is more to it than just gauge- solid core has a lot to do with it) know that there is magic in those wires.
Any fat wire just mucks up the sound IME. There is a purity and clarity that one gets with thin solid core that is addicting, and once you hear your system clean, well you just cant go back.
And that site is off a bit isnt it. See it leaves out the HUNDREDS of feet of thin wire that comprise the mags themselves. Try adding in a 100ft of 28g for the panels themselves and see what that does to the listings on that chart.
What I fail to understand is how 5ft of 12g wire lets all kind of current through according to that site when there is so much thin wire after the 5ft of 12g. Hundreds of ft in many models.
If you have any kind of reasonable audiophile runs say under 10ft, take the 6$ challenge, and buy some ratshack magwire and wire it up. Let us know what you think.

No one here remembers the bending of our minds

Edits: 09/22/10
- RE: Free wire size calculator for your audio system - colebearanimals 14:01:28 09/22/10 (4)
  DR, I've been lurking here for awhile and have seen this brought up several times. What is " magwire " ? Paul
  - RE: Free wire size calculator for your audio system - Dawnrazor 20:13:23 09/22/10 (3)
    Hi Paul,
    
    Magwire is short for "magnet wire". It is the wire you can usually see in transformers, and it usually solidcore and has a very thin insulation. The solidcore and thin insulation have a lot to do with its success as a speaker cable. The gauge IME also helps alot. And the Anticables that everyone raves about is just 12g magwire, though magwire can come in many insulations and all are not created equal.
    
    Anyhow, radioshack has a package that contains 3 spools of it. One is 22g, one is 26g and one is 30g. Damn inflation. it is now $7. I hope that doesnt turn anyone off!!
    
    I used 2 of the 30g for each conductor for my bass panel.
    
    An easy thing to try is just to replace your wire with one strand of the green wire (26g), one for each conductor. You can strip off the insulation with some sand paper.
    
    I am NOT saying that this is ALL you have to do. But it is enough to get your feet wet and see if the magwire is for you. It removes a veil and is ultra clear. Some systems may not dig that, but most who have tried it stick with the magwire.
    
    Once you are hooked, you can make a more durable construction and start to address vibrations. A simple recipe is to take some cotton string like they sell in grocery stores for tying up chicken and "braid" the 2 strands of magwire like the pict:
    
    You COULD use one conductor for + and - though that would put some strain on the tiny wires. So my recommendation for noobies is to make a run like the pict for + and - (four total...2 for each speaker) and terminate each wire with something like this or the dayton knock offs:
    
    http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=093-540
    
    If you solder right at the lip, you can stuff some of the wire inside making an upside down "u" and use the screws to screw into the tech flex and cotton, providing some strain relief.
    
    One day I will do a step by step.
    
    Anyhow IME for a few bucks and some time you can make cables that will shame most of the expensive store boughts.
    
    No one here remembers the bending of our minds
    - http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=203627 (Open in New Window)
    - RE: Free wire size calculator for your audio system - colebearanimals 13:59:42 09/23/10 (2)
      Thanks. I think I'll give it a try soon. Would there be a maximun lenght for this stuff? Or could I use it for say 20 or 30 feet? paul
      - RE: Free wire size calculator for your audio system - Dawnrazor 08:12:55 09/29/10 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Free wire size calculator for your audio system posted by colebearanimals on September 23, 2010 at 13:59:42
        
        Hey Paul,
        
        Check out this post. The guy is using some cat 5 which I THINK is 24g maybe thinner.
        
        Long runs to a passive sub...you may be ok with those long runs.
        
        No one here remembers the bending of our minds
        http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/cables/messages/14/149800.h (Open in New Window)
      - RE: Free wire size calculator for your audio system - Dawnrazor 15:37:47 09/23/10 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Free wire size calculator for your audio system posted by colebearanimals on September 23, 2010 at 13:59:42
        
        Hey Paul,
        
        I think there is, and have never tried more than 8 ft myself.
        
        Maybe some one will chime in. That said, you could try it an see.
        
        Personally I would try to re-arrange things to get shorter runs...
        
        No one here remembers the bending of our minds
- RE: Free wire size calculator for your audio system - sailor321 08:21:33 09/22/10 (2)
  What about the 12 and 14ga inductors and low esr caps I spent big bucks for in my IIIa's xover?
  So it goes.........
  - RE: Free wire size calculator for your audio system - Dawnrazor 19:38:33 09/22/10 (0)
    What about them?
    
    Most of those who have tried the magwire have also done crossover mods and have spent the money on such things.
    
    I myself have no caps but the 4 inductors were the best ones I could find at the time.
    
    That $6 and some time will be well spent and perhaps open your eyes.
    
    My memory tells me too that there was at least one 3 series owner that tried the thin solidcore and was ecstatic. You can try double/ triple runs if you are worried.
    
    No one here remembers the bending of our minds
  - RE: Free wire size calculator for your audio system - IEaudiodude 08:49:42 09/22/10 (0)
    That ran across my mind to ..... however I just tell myself "dem" parts worked good . Helps me justify the cost of tweeks.

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