Using high quality cabling is very important to the overall performance of your audio and video systems. In many ways, your
system is only as good as your cabling. This is because the cables are responsible for carrying the signal between the various
components in your system. The efficiency with which your cables perform this task directly affects the clarity and brilliance of
the video and audio quality in your home theater and stereo listening systems.
Higher quality cabling has shielding that is designed to reject RFI and EMI interference (Radio Frequency and Electromagnetic
Interference). These waveforms, created by standard household appliances as well as your A/V components, are everywhere and
can cause degredation in the audio and video performance of your system.
The type of conductor used is yet another important factor in the quality of a cable. Solid core conductors have a distinct
advantage over stranded or braided cables. Stranded cables oxidize quickly because of the tiny air spaces between the fine
strands of the conductor. Oxidation creates electrical irregularities in the conductor where high frequency signals cannot pass
easily. Oxidation in the conductor shows up in the sound as noise and distortion, and can cause a loss of sharpness or color
definition in the picture.
Another aspect of quality cabling to consider is the insulation used to keep the conductors separated within the cable. Most
insulation materials cause some form of distortion, by absorbing the signal as it passes through the conductor, releasing it again
out of phase with the original signal. This results in a loss of clarity in the audio signal and distortion of the video signal. Ideally
you will want to use cables that minimize this type of interference and distortion.