Cable direction

**ozzy** · July 2, 2021, 01:07 PM

Dumb question, I am trying a Valhalla BNC digital cable from the Ether Regen to a AfterDark clock.
The Valhalla has a arrow pointing the direction. Does the arrow point towards the clock or to the EtherRegen?

**stereogeek** · July 2, 2021, 01:24 PM

The arrow points in the direction of signal flow. Also, don't be afraid to try it in the "wrong" direction, sometimes they sound better that way.

**ozzy** · July 2, 2021, 01:34 PM

Thanks, I guess I'm not sure which direction the clock signal flows...

ozzy

**Mike** · July 2, 2021, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by ozzy

Thanks, I guess I'm not sure which direction the clock signal flows...

ozzy

What are the two devices?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

**ozzy** · July 2, 2021, 02:48 PM

EtherRegen and the AfterDark clock.

ozzy

**Mike** · July 2, 2021, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by ozzy

EtherRegen and the AfterDark clock.

ozzy

Ok, away from EtherRegen and towards clock.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

**ozzy** · July 2, 2021, 05:30 PM

Based on my listening, the arrow should point towards the Uptone EtherRegen.
So, from the clock to the EtherRegen. At least with the Valhalla,

ozzy

**audio.bill** · July 2, 2021, 07:52 PM

ozzy - I hate to contradict our fine and honorable host Mike, but think you've got it correct. The clock's output feeds the EtherRegen's clock input so the arrow would be expected to point towards the ER.

**nicoff** · July 3, 2021, 09:24 AM

Where is a blind test when you need it?

**Mike Lavigne** · July 3, 2021, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by nicoff

Where is a blind test when you need it?

in Pharma where it should stay.

**Mike** · July 3, 2021, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by audio.bill

ozzy - I hate to contradict our fine and honorable host Mike, but think you've got it correct. The clock's output feeds the EtherRegen's clock input so the arrow would be expected to point towards the ER.

You are correct. I was thinking the clock was for the DAC. Forgot we have clocks for switches now!

**TheOctopus** · July 3, 2021, 11:23 AM

If in the Northern Hemisphere the toilet flushes clockwise and in the Southern, counterclockwise, do electrons.. oh, never-mind.... LOL

**nicoff** · July 3, 2021, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Mike Lavigne

in Pharma where it should stay.

I get it, that’s the typical response from an audiophile. I respect the opinion, but the implication that it is only a Pharma thing is not accurate.

Blind tests are used in many studies beyond Pharma. For example, ask ANY company involved in the food business.

It would still be great if the OP do a blind test and share with us the results. After all, people hear whatever they THINK they hear.

**Mikado463** · July 3, 2021, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by nicoff

After all, people hear whatever they THINK they hear.

Psychoacoustics - Wikipedia

**ozzy** · July 5, 2021, 01:25 PM

Yes, the AfterDark Clock manufacturer confirmed, the arrow points towards the EtherRegen from the clock.
Kinda surprised me, but the sound quality difference doesn't lie.
ozzy

**plonkywonki** · July 27, 2021, 04:12 PM

If directional, imo the arrows point from source >> to further downstream.

For me, I'm still guessing if this is right, I mean copper is copper and I'm somehow always tempted to reverse my only cable that has directional arrows on it

But I don't

**Puma Cat** · July 27, 2021, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by plonkywonki

If directional, imo the arrows point from source >> to further downstream.

For me, I'm still guessing if this is right, I mean copper is copper and I'm somehow always tempted to reverse my only cable that has directional arrows on it

But I don't

Copper's properties and characteristics are dependent on it's crystalline structure, and how that crystalline structure is produced during refinement and how it is drawn during casting. Its crystalline structure impacts its audio qualities.

To wit: (PDF) 📄 Microstructure and texture evolution of cold drawing 〈110〉 single crystal copper

**a.wayne** · July 27, 2021, 11:07 PM

What about annealing and compaction effects on the copper ...?

Regards

**CPP** · July 28, 2021, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by a.wayne

What about annealing and compaction effects on the copper ...?

Regards

Hum from what I remember, annealing of copper only takes place around temps of 700F. And the compaction with copper only takes place with copper powder. So not sure how this is going to impact a solid core cable is some audio system.

**brodricj** · August 3, 2021, 05:38 AM

Yeah, but the direction of the arrow simply comes about by which end of the cable shield is connected to ground, which should be the upstream end. The other end the shield is not connected to anything. So the arrow points in the direction of the cable end where the shield is not connected. This was discussed in an Audioquest forum where AQ made a batch of cables where both ends were connected to ground, which was a manufacturing fault. Pointed out by an owner who discovered the cable sounded no different in either way the cable was hooked up, and the fault finding after that discovered the manufacturing defect.

**stereogeek** · August 3, 2021, 12:54 PM

I hate to deliver bad news but wire does sound different in each direction.

**brodricj** · August 3, 2021, 01:44 PM

You mean, unshielded wire sounds different in each direction. Otherwise you're just agreeing with me.

**plonkywonki** · August 3, 2021, 07:58 PM

Hmm I measured the only directional cable that I have (a coax) and this has both the shield and the core connected on both end connectors. Does this mean the cable is then not directional?

**brodricj** · August 3, 2021, 08:09 PM

From my understanding of what the AQ technical experts said about this, if the shield is grounded at both ends the cable is non-directional.

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