What is directional cable?

[Frugal]

Can anyone tell me what is meant by directional cable? What physically is different about it?

 

[markw]

It deals with grounding, not signal flow.

Some gear has a little less noise if one RCA plug has the ground lifted to prevent it from contacting another piece of gear. Generally, the "output" RCS will be grounded while the "source" will be lifted. The arrow points to the grounded, or "output" RCA.

Ultimately, I wouldn't lose sleep over this unless you DO hear a difference. Most gear doesn't care one way or another.

If someone tells you they have a directional speaker cable, simply walk away.

 

[Frugal]

directional

Thanks markw. My friend lifted the ground on his sub cable (as per an old audio encyclopedia) and eliminated a hum problem. I suspect many cables have arrows on the outside but no difference on the inside.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thanks markw. My friend lifted the ground on his sub cable (as per an old audio encyclopedia) and eliminated a hum problem. I suspect many cables have arrows on the outside but no difference on the inside.

Which sub cable? The power cord to the amp or signal cable?

 

[Frugal]

power or signal?

The signal cable.

 

[markw]

Which sub cable?

Which sub cable? The power cord to the amp or signal cable?

I'm pretty sure you can only hook up the power cable one way, no?