erikill Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I'm in the process of upgrading from RF3-IIs to RF-7s. I am using a Denon 3806 current across some Monster XP wire (I believe). With the 7's I am planning on going with either a rotel RB-1080 or acurus A200x3. My question is what would you recommend. My EE classes would tell me go with the thicker gauge wire, but Monster doesn't list what gauge the M-series MCX stuff is (which looks like its mostly jacketed). I just need new runs for the front - but I will probably need to redo the backs which have to run across the floor (may be better than the 16 gauge RCA i'm using. Curious to see what you guys use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islander Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 With RF-7s, you may be putting a fair bit of power into them, so at least 12 gauge would be my suggestion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest " " Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 "Monster doesn't list what gauge the M-series MCX stuff " The version I have measure slightly larger than 12 Gauge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Wouldn't hurt to go with larger, though, if what you are currently using is performing well, it would be fine with your new speakers, too, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikill Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 Which version did you go with MCX1 or MCX2? It lists the OD as 11mm which 12 gauge would be 2mm wire diameter. I need to upgrade the wire since I was looking and noticed a good bit of oxidation in the clear wire. I just think I should get a spool and make my own lengths - I'm not trying to be pretty - even solidering the ends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islander Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I've had good results with this cable. The SS refers to the colour of the sheath, smoke and silver. It comes in sizes from 16 to 8 gauge. http://www.knukonceptz.com/productMaster.cfm?category=Karma%20SS%20Speaker%20Kable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groomlakearea51 Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Home Depot Audiophile Section 12 gauge!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mas Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Home Depot Audiophile Section 12 gauge!! We have a winner! Word... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Video Guy Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Home Depot Audiophile Section 12 gauge!! Have you had any issues with this wire discoloring? I recall reading that somewhere with the home depot wire. I'm guessing it might depend on the humidty in your house but don't know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mas Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Its simply OFHC copper wire sourced from one of the major wire companies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikill Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 I'm assuming you are referring to this HD wire - http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100598646 - That's similar to what I have now which is why I am worried about additional oxidation in the wire (and going with the heavy jacket wire. However price wise this isn't a big deal to do since 35 bucks and I can do all my fronts - and then maybe some rears w another spool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Video Guy Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Its simply OFHC copper wire sourced from one of the major wire companies. Here is the link to the article I read, scroll down to the section "All Low Cost Wires Are Not the Same" and you'll see the sample of wire that has turned green. Maybe it wasn't OFHC? http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mas Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 It looks fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mas Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Just a comment. While I do not have big issues with the article, I am a bit surprised by the comments regarding wire corrosion. Throughout the article they (correctly) stress that the resistance is the primary focus of concern with wire. Yet when they encounter wire that corrodes (supposedly due to the chemical nature of the insulation) the issue that takes center stage is the color! A simple measurement of the resistance would have quantified their fear of the green color and one might have a real result of any degradation. But since the fundamental issue of concern was suddenly forgotten amidst the panic over seeing something green, we are left with an emotional reaction and only our assumptions. And everyone knows that green wire conducts electrical signals worse than gold colored wire. [*-)] But then we have a forum dominated by the thought that current flows due to the movement of electrons (it does NOT!) rather than via charge and a magnetic field! Oh well! At least we don't let physics confuse us. What would have been nice is for some form of quantification (a measurement!) to have occurred! Wouldn't it be nice if science was actually included in 'things audio'? One can dream... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oblio Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Anyone used Ghost Wire in existing rooms ? IOW applied it to walls, around corners and painted over it ? I first saw it in the thread re: new construction, but am looking for use in a finished room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikill Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 Well I think the issue is more than the green is the oxidation which would lead to impurities in the copper making it not as conductive as possible. Agreed they should have taken a VOM and measured the resistance over the course of the 2 wires to see if it makes a difference, but the green insulation isn't as worrysome as on the wire itself (which my monster cable does isn't that sacrilegous to them?). However if the cable has a solid colored insulator you would be unable to tell unless you cut into the wire / redid the ends. But again there is more conductor to transmit the electrical current on (in the 12 gauge) so that will affect the wire (plus heat). I need to crack out my audio engineering book lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesV Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 But for the same price as Home Depot, $36, I can get it from Blue Jeans Cable. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesV Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Anyone used Ghost Wire in existing rooms ? IOW applied it to walls, around corners and painted over it ? I first saw it in the thread re: new construction, but am looking for use in a finished room. Here is a post that was on here some time ago, is this the one you are talking about? You might want to send him a pm and ask your questions. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkytype Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Parts Express has a special on a 50-foot roll of 10 AWG wire for $38.00 + shipping. The 100-foot roll is also on sale. http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=100-156 Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groomlakearea51 Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Anyone used Ghost Wire in existing rooms ? IOW applied it to walls, around corners and painted over it ? I first saw it in the thread re: new construction, but am looking for use in a finished room. Yes, the new "man cave" is ghost wired. It works perfectly. I ran it under the hardwood flooring and terminated it at about 2" above the molding. It's hidden at that point behind the speakers. That being said, I still have a partial spool of about 50' that I will use in the master bedroom in about 5-6 months when we change out the speakers and repaint the room. That ghost wire will be applied behind the molding/baseboard (new baseboards....). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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