Quick theoretical question here

[PV Audio 5,000+ posts]

What are the rules for plating metals? The only reason why I ask is because theoretically, wouldn't a pure silver cable give the best signal transfer? It's the most conductive metal, but since it oxidizes easily, why not plate the exposed ends with gold? Or, is that not possible? I haven't seen a silver speaker cable before, so I'm just curious. Thanks. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

-Dave

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[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

I haven't seen a silver speaker cable before, so I'm just curious. Thanks.

Cardas and others sell pure silver wire. It's spendy.

Hell, the Audio-Note Ongaku SET amp uses transformers that have 20 pounds of silver wire in the windings.

 

[tRidiot 10+ year member]

It's out there.

Look for Kimber wire, they have some pure silver, supposed to have great "sonic" qualities.

lol

If you're silly enough to pay $500 a foot for speaker wire, then I say, more power to the people ripping you off. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[PV Audio 5,000+ posts]

No, I know it's too expensive which is why copper, the 2nd best inductor, is used instead. What I'm saying is that, wouldn't it be impossible to improve over a silver wire with something that cannot conduct a signal as well? I mean, most of us aren't chilling our wiring down to 50 Kelvin that often, so I can't imagine anything better.

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

I dont see any reason why you couldnt plate the ends with gold but the question is why? Gold as we know doesnt carry current as well so you would be downgrading the signal.

They make silver speaker wire and signal wires but they are crazily expensive

 

[PV Audio 5,000+ posts]

I dont see any reason why you couldnt plate the ends with gold but the question is why? Gold as we know doesnt carry current as well so you would be downgrading the signal.
They make silver speaker wire and signal wires but they are crazily expensive

The reason why is because there are chemistry-based rules for electroplating. You cannot plate certain metals with others, but I wasn't sure if it applied here.
Yes, gold doesn't carry current as well, but it doesn't oxidize easily, much unlike copper and silver.

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

No, I know it's too expensive which is why copper, the 2nd best inductor, is used instead. What I'm saying is that, wouldn't it be impossible to improve over a silver wire with something that cannot conduct a signal as well? I mean, most of us aren't chilling our wiring down to 50 Kelvin that often, so I can't imagine anything better.

Are you trying to say by plating the ends of the silver wire with gold terminals or ends you are voiding the use of the silver wire?

 

[PV Audio 5,000+ posts]

Are you trying to say by plating the ends of the silver wire with gold terminals or ends you are voiding the use of the silver wire?

I'm not saying anything, which is why I'm asking the questions lol //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

I'm not saying anything, which is why I'm asking the questions lol //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

Sorry for the incorrect phrasing...

Are you asking that, not saying it?

 

[PV Audio 5,000+ posts]

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif
Sorry for the incorrect phrasing...

Are you asking that, not saying it?

Pretty much yep. How would you make a cable with the conductivity of silver, but without the threat of oxidation?

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

Pretty much yep. How would you make a cable with the conductivity of silver, but without the threat of oxidation?

You seal the silver in something so it doesn't touch the air, then cap it with gold.

You are going to still have oxidation but this would cut down on it, I would imagine since it is oxygen that causes oxidation.

And, since you aren't using the gold over a very long stretch it doesn't really matter that it is of lower conductivity and higher resistivity.

 

[PV Audio 5,000+ posts]

That's pretty much what I figured, so why aren't audiophile companies touting this shit over their solid-core copper and nitrogen infused wiring?

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

Some are...

http://www.kimber.com/select/pages/ksSpk3038.aspx

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

This one has silver in it...

http://www.nordost.com/index.php?id=374

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

And, since you aren't using the gold over a very long stretch it doesn't really matter that it is of lower conductivity and higher resistivity.

I was wondering about this. The question is will it lower conductivity to the point that copper would be just as good since they are so close and golds conductivity is relatively higher by comparison?

Just asking as I dont know...