Solid vs stranded conductor interconnects?

[CageyH]

The majority of IC cables are all based on stranded wires to make up the conductors.
Is there any advantage to this, or would a solid core be as good, or better for sound quality?

[Shovel_Knight]

Solid core cables would be too stiff and fragile, in my opinion.

[Sherwood]

I used to use DNM solid core between A Croft preamp and Art Audio Quintet power amp. It was very good in that system.

Geoff

[Gazjam]

Best I've heard in my own system is multiple strands of thin solid core individually insulated.
Tried most if not all types over the years.

[Yomanze]

Wire made up of multiple strands has more flexibility than solid core wire of the same overall conductor cross-sectional area. It also has a lower impedance at very high frequencies (we're talking radio frequencies) than solid core wire due to the "skin effect". Look that up if you want more details. However, the skin effect doesn't apply at audio frequencies, so the advantage of stranded wire is mainly its flexibility.

Interestingly I do think that stranded is a touch better at the top end.

[CageyH]

Thanks gents.
Flexibility does not worry me, as once it is installed it won't be touched often.
I am looking at Teflon insulated OFC cores, so it should be good enough for Audio.

I just fancy a change from the MC5000.

[Bigman80]

I have a OCC copper cable about to do the rounds if you want to try it.

[CageyH]

No thanks Oliver.

[CageyH]

I have ordered some solid core cable to make some new ICs.
I am hoping they will make a nice difference. If not, I will put it down to experience.

[Primalsea]

I think that generally solid core coax can have lower capacitance, or rather that it is easier to design for lower capacitance. Also as you only have a single large strand you do not have to worry about controlling the regularity of the positions of the separate strands and the air gaps that can exist between them - the properties of the cable can be more regular section to section. Whether any of that makes a difference in an IC at the end of the day, who knows.