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Doing some more reading on CH cables. Can anyone explain what the difference between copper/silver/hyrbid wires are? Not really sure what the differences are.
The Silver Ray cable is stranded occ copper wire coated with high purity silver with teflon insulation.
The Hybrid Ray cable uses both stranded silver plated occ copper wire with teflon insulation and stranded occ copper wire with teflon insulation.
The Copper Ray uses stranded occ copper wire with teflon insulation.
A lot of people like silver wire because it makes the sound stage/imaging better and helps tighten up the sound. Basically, it gives greater definition, but it's not "warm" sounding like copper is, and the bass can have less punch/oomph. One way people try to overcome this is by having one(or more) wires be silver, and one (or more) be copper. That way you get the nice top end and tightness, and a bit more oomph.
I am assuming that Chris actually mean to write that the Silver ray is a SILVER wire... not silver coated copper. Since his link about IEM cables talks about silver wire here.
EDIT: Since making this post I've been notified that Headphone lounge has since moved away from solid silver to a silver-coated copper for their main wire for increased flexibility/better sound. They have silver and 1% gold wire, but you have to ask for it. Talk to them for the specifics on strengths/weaknesses of each.
If you are a "believer" in cables affecting sound (after getting the Whiplash Hybrid V3, I am a big believer in cables affecting sound!) In essence;
- Silver Ray (highs) - Better sound stage/imaging. Better highs/top end. The low end may feel less punchy/more tight but less warm and impactful.
(
EDIT: This remains the same... but pure silver does this more than silver-coated copper.)
- Hybrid Ray (both) - In a perfect world, this should be the best of silver and copper. Good highs and warm lows. It's probably just going to be "better" but if you want clearer sound or more emphasis on top or bottom then chose the silver or copper wire.
- Copper Ray (lows) - Usually this is the cable type that comes with IEMs, though the quality of copper is not always that high. It's warm, friendly, can be fuzzy and less clear, smaller soundstage but very warm and musical. Good copper makes improves the soundstage/imaging, but not as much as silver...
What do you want to emphasize? Go for that...
NOTE: I have not listened to the new CH cables. This is surmise on His old Silver Ray and other wires/posts around this place.