Schiit Happened: The Story of the World's Most Improbable Start-Up
Sep 2, 2021 at 12:12 PM Post #81,316 of 145,595
The only thing directionality will do for you is noise shielding. The two conductors run inside a shield conductor - it's directional because it's only terminated at the source end. This is done to "dump" whatever noise is picked up back into the ground of the source component rather than being amplified by the amp.

While the direction of the conductor extrusion *may* matter, #1 I bet you $1000 you won't hear it and #2 I guarantee you, the manufacturer of the cable didn't pay attention to it. Probably they don't even know.
 
Sep 2, 2021 at 12:20 PM Post #81,317 of 145,595
Arrows on signal cable usually indicate:
1. The intended signal direction, such as FROM an output TO an input, so the arrow is used to point to the input. This can be useful for keeping a large, rats-nest type studio installation organized and for troubleshooting.
2. The end of a signal cable where the shield is attached. This can be meaningful in some installations and is the only genuine technical reason for an arrow.
3. That you paid extra for the cable to have an arrow printed on it. In this case, install so they point toward the user.
That is the only time I use arrows as well, to indicate shield end for source and destination.

On cables. BBE5F6E4-D720-4256-914F-A9939FF2D5D2.jpeg
 
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Sep 2, 2021 at 12:56 PM Post #81,318 of 145,595
That is the only time I use arrows as well, to indicate shield end for source and destination.

On cables.

A recurve! Nice. What pound draw? No compound bows? :dart:

I used to target shoot bows and shotguns. But, I never wanted to participate in a sport that also required the death of an animal. Especially if I wasn't planning on eating it afterwards. I'd just rather spot them in the wild, and leave them be. :crying_cat_face:
 
Sep 2, 2021 at 1:07 PM Post #81,319 of 145,595
A recurve! Nice. What pound draw? No compound bows? :dart:

I used to target shoot bows and shotguns. But, I never wanted to participate in a sport that also required the death of an animal. Especially if I wasn't planning on eating it afterwards. I'd just rather spot them in the wild, and leave them be. :crying_cat_face:
I only own recurve target bows. My oldest brother won a state championship with that one. Bear brand Tamerlane, 42 lb pull. Others I own range from 35 to 38 lb. I still fletch and crest my own arrows.
 
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Sep 2, 2021 at 1:09 PM Post #81,320 of 145,595
A physicist explained to me directionality is a thing. Something to do with the direction the wire is stretched when the cable is made. It creates a smoother ride for free range electrons in one direction but a rougher, against the grain ride in the other direction. Clearly the sophisticated listener can tell.
:cold_sweat:
There is also a 50/50 chance the directionality label is wrong in a cable. So you may get one wrong. Or both. Oh my. Clearly the sophisticated listener can tell.
The only thing directionality will do for you is noise shielding. The two conductors run inside a shield conductor - it's directional because it's only terminated at the source end. This is done to "dump" whatever noise is picked up back into the ground of the source component rather than being amplified by the amp.

While the direction of the conductor extrusion *may* matter, #1 I bet you $1000 you won't hear it and #2 I guarantee you, the manufacturer of the cable didn't pay attention to it. Probably they don't even know.
Garth Powell of Audioquest claims to be able to hear it, and apparently is the reason for close proximity of their factories so that he can listen to all the cable spools and mark their directionality. If true, that would mean > 50/50 chance :)

Conceptually I don't get why it would help since audio is alternating current, so roughly half the electrons flow in one direction and half in the other, so you'll pick up noise anyway. It would make more sense to use two sets of wire per conductor, in opposing directions, so the effect is evenly spread. I guess.
 
Sep 2, 2021 at 1:09 PM Post #81,321 of 145,595
A physicist explained to me directionality is a thing. Something to do with the direction the wire is stretched when the cable is made. It creates a smoother ride for free range electrons in one direction but a rougher, against the grain ride in the other direction. Clearly the sophisticated listener can tell.
:cold_sweat:

There is also a 50/50 chance the directionality label is wrong in a cable. So you may get one wrong. Or both. Oh my. Clearly the sophisticated listener can tell.
:cold_sweat::sweat:

If the cables have a directionality label and you have OCD, FIX IT. But that may cause your audio nervosa to flare up. So have a drink. Clearly the sophisticated listener would.
:cold_sweat::sweat:🍷

Clean the connectors while at it and rearrange the cables. It’s the only logical thing the sophisticated listener would do at this point.
:cold_sweat::sweat::wine_glass::wine_glass:

Crank out the mic and re-measure everything so you can update your room correction settings. You’ve made important changes after all. This is just the sensible thing a sophisticated listener would do.
:cold_sweat::sweat::wine_glass::wine_glass:🍸

Document and explain your findings in a new thread at your favorite hobbyist site. This is the morally superior, charitable thing the sophisticated listener ought to do.
:cold_sweat::sweat::wine_glass::wine_glass::cocktail::cocktail:

You’re done. Sort of. Refresh the page vigorously and wonder why people are not reacting or responding to your findings. Seeking validation and potential debate is a reasonable peer-review expectation of the sophisticated listener.
:cold_sweat::sweat::wine_glass::wine_glass::cocktail::cocktail::thermometer_face:

Start wondering if the objectivists have a point and maybe you should measure everything to validate what you’re hearing. Start reading about measurement rigs and gear and how to set them up. Keeping an open mind and always learning is clearly the only reasonable way for the sophisticated listener to get the most out of their EDM tracks.
:cold_sweat::sweat::wine_glass::wine_glass::cocktail::cocktail::thermometer_face::bow:
To me it is clear! Drink a cocktail or wine instead of buying crazy cables.
 
Sep 2, 2021 at 2:51 PM Post #81,323 of 145,595
Garth Powell of Audioquest claims to be able to hear it, and apparently is the reason for close proximity of their factories so that he can listen to all the cable spools and mark their directionality. If true, that would mean > 50/50 chance :)

Conceptually I don't get why it would help since audio is alternating current, so roughly half the electrons flow in one direction and half in the other, so you'll pick up noise anyway. It would make more sense to use two sets of wire per conductor, in opposing directions, so the effect is evenly spread. I guess.
More like 55/45. Statistically significant! Practically useless...
 
Sep 2, 2021 at 3:38 PM Post #81,324 of 145,595
I only own recurve target bows. My oldest brother won a state championship with that one. Bear brand Tamerlane, 42 lb pull. Others I own range from 35 to 38 lb. I still fletch and crest my own arrows.
I have a Bob Lee takedown circa about 25 years ago, #58 draw. I've harvested a little meat with it but mostly 3D target shooting. I also used to fletch my own cedar arrows with a bitzenburger fletcher.
 
Sep 2, 2021 at 4:38 PM Post #81,325 of 145,595
I have a Bob Lee takedown circa about 25 years ago, #58 draw. I've harvested a little meat with it but mostly 3D target shooting. I also used to fletch my own cedar arrows with a bitzenburger fletcher.
772320D7-E679-4B92-BC52-33A88E92F228.jpeg

I still have three take-downs all Bear brand. I used the red and black one in competition. I shoot black Easton X7’s with red fletching. The indoor range I shot at was owned by a guy who made the arrows used in Deliverance the movie. James Dickey, the author, was an archer and spent some time here at the university.

Here is Dickey shooting a Bear bow, much like the one third from the top that I own.
1630615265341.png


https://www.icollector.com/Burt-Rey...with-LOA-from-director-John-Boorman_i35061302

I will stop so the topic can return to Schiit gear etc.
 
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Sep 2, 2021 at 5:02 PM Post #81,327 of 145,595
I'm old and used to be an avid skier (and golfer), but now I'm planing for double knee replacement per my othopaedic specialist and continue to deal with lower back issues for several years now. The back bowls in Vail are a fading memory.
Eventually everything just wears out. If I can keep my wits about me I guess that will be a victory of sorts.
I had one knee replaced and it went great. Was diligent in prehab and rehab, which paid off. 7 years later, I'm still an enthusiastic racquetball player and other sports/games. No jumping tho.
 
Sep 2, 2021 at 6:08 PM Post #81,328 of 145,595
I'm old and used to be an avid skier (and golfer), but now I'm planing for double knee replacement per my othopaedic specialist and continue to deal with lower back issues for several years now. The back bowls in Vail are a fading memory.
Eventually everything just wears out. If I can keep my wits about me I guess that will be a victory of sorts.
That'll be a depressing day when I have to hang up the skis!

Got three trips planned for the 21/22 season...62 and refuse to give up without a fight. :wink:
 

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