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Mini to RCA cable, are they directional ?

post #1 of 8
11/14/08 at 2:01am
Thread Starter 
I see that there are a number of after-the-market mini to RCA cables out there from Kimber, Audioquest, etc.

My question is, can I use these cables in the reverse direction without compromising SQ. I intend to run from the RCA jacks of the CDP to the mini jack of a portable amp. Someone told me this is gonna compromise SQ because all cables are directional.

It is true that some manufacturers specifically made RCA to mini cables for this purpose, but I just want to know the options.

Thx
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post #2 of 8
11/14/08 at 3:44am
You won't compromise sq.
Some cable makers connect the cable shield to ground only at the source side to avoid ground loops, but a lot of high-end cables aren't even shielded.
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post #3 of 8
11/14/08 at 5:39am
Thread Starter 
Thanks.

The reason I was given as to the directionality of cables is because of metallic grain structure. I am not sure if this is a valid proposition however.

Take a look at the following picture of the Nordorst mini to mini cable, for example. Same terminations on both ends but there is an arrow marking direction of current flow on the left:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/NORDOST-MINI-TO-M...1%7C240%3A1318
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post #4 of 8
11/14/08 at 7:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greeni View Post
Thanks.

The reason I was given as to the directionality of cables is because of metallic grain structure. I am not sure if this is a valid proposition however.

Take a look at the following picture of the Nordorst mini to mini cable, for example. Same terminations on both ends but there is an arrow marking direction of current flow on the left:

"NORDOST" MINI TO MINI CABLE FOR HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER - (eBay.ca item 290273142618 end time 12-Nov-08 22:05:19 EST)
Just btw, I'm pretty sure that nordost cable is fake. They add directionality to make their product look more exclusive and more "audiophile".
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post #5 of 8
11/14/08 at 8:22am
There may be differences in some cables such as different shielding on either end, I'm not sure, but I do know that as far as the wire is concerned there is no such thing as a preferred direction. If anyone tells you that wire is directional, that's rubbish.
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post #6 of 8
11/14/08 at 9:37pm

Delete


Edited by labrat - 9/13/11 at 9:17am
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post #7 of 8
11/18/08 at 2:58pm
directional wire LOL i'm a cable believer, but that is just ridiculous
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post #8 of 8
11/18/08 at 3:35pm
I use a mini-RCA cable to connect my CD player to my Headroom Micro amp, and it sounds just fine, even though it's a cheap cable.
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