[CButterworth]

I recently built my own passive preamp using an Elma source selector switch and Alps 50K pot.  The wiring that I chose for the signal was a double strand of Cat5 from an old network cable.  I used a single wire from the same network cable to act as the ground bus.

However, I want to redo the wiring, as I need to add 3 more source RCA inputs.  I have been looking at Cardas wire and there seem to be a number of choices, which have prompted the following questions:

1. Copper or silver?  My guess is that copper would be better.

2. What AWG of wire? My guess is that 24 to 32 would be fine.

3. Single strand or double strand?

4. Litz or solid core?

I'd appreciate any recommendations on specific wire types to use, etc.

Thank-you,
Charlie

[Ulas]

I recommend using a single strand of Cardas 33 awg tone arm wire. It's what I use for interconnects.

[_scotty_]

I would recommend 12Ga and 14Ga THHN stranded wire for your internal connections. I used this wire in my DIY Buffer with excellent results. I had originaly wired it with CAT 5 just to connect the source RCAs to the DACT pot and then to the board. It sounded good but when I rewired it with THHN the improvement in dynamics, frequency extremes, and scale of sound stage it reproduced was remarkable. It worked for me and the 6 cents per foot price at Home Depot didn't hurt either.  YMMV, Scotty

[CButterworth]

Hmm.....Thanks for the replies  

Your opinions fall at opposite ends of the wire spectrum.  Maybe, I'll try the cheap THHN wire before going to the Cardas - I can always rewire again in the future and possibly save a little money.

Thank-you,
Charlie

[_scotty_]

Charlie, you have to have a solder station and a fairly large chisel tip
to use THHN in 12 or 14Ga. Set your iron to 750 degrees F or higher and be sure to pre tin the wire and connection. I always apply heat to the wire first. The trick is to use a hot iron and make the solder joint quickly and get the heat off before something gets over heated. The 12and 14Ga. wire will act like a heat sink and pull heat out of the joint very quickly. Good luck with your project. Scotty