Over six years of selling Virtual Dynamics audio cables we have run into the comments from a few customers saying, jeez, these things are really stiff, big and heavy. After clarifying with them that they are talking abut Virtual Dynamics audio cables and not their Christmas lights, I will usually answer with a soft giggle and a "Yes, they are..."
of course, the next question is always, "why don't you make them lighter?"
So, I thought I would share with you why I don't make them lighter. The simple answer is, the honestly if there was any way that I could do this without compromising the cable's sound I would be the first one to jump on the bandwagon, but it is a big bandwagon, and there are literally thousands of manufacturers building the thing that I refuse to. Light, flexible audio cables. Products that do not meet my standards.
I will admit that, from a marketing point of view, Virtual dynamics sucks. We're not a company that gives customers what they want, in fact, the sole purpose of creating Virtual Dynamics' audio products was to introduce customers to what they really needed and desired above all things, if they are truly an audiophile, and that is, better sound.
Alright, better sound to some is debatable, elusive and not achievable, but I am definitely, and with all certainty, not in that camp. To me, the idea that some audio products are not better than others, or some cables are not better than other cables, is as ridiculous as square tires for your car.
So what am I getting at?
Well a few of you who have talked to me in person, know that I use the square tire analogy quite commonly, and I would like to explain it and where it came from, but first let me take you on a little adventure. I have been on talking to hundreds of audiophiles from all different regions and walks of life. I have asked on question over the last year quite consistently to consumers looking for audio cables, some who own cables in the tens of thousands of dollars... I ask them one simple question, to see what answer I might get.
The answer is consistently, and pretty much, I can say at this point, without exception "I don't know."
The question, "Why do cables change the sound of your audio system?"
So why are virtual Dynamics cables so big and thick? Bet you thought I forgot that was the topic, huh? well, it is this, there is only one possible realistic and irrefutable way to absolutely and with all certainty ensure you lower the total resistance of a conductor, and it is to increase the gauge size. I will repeat, so that you might understand my motive. There is no other reasonable, logical, proven, available method of getting more signal from point A to point B than to increase the gauge size of the conductor. Not in audio anyways. DO superconductors do this? Sure, but we are nowhere near that technology in audio, in fact, we are not even embracing the known technology and understanding that Gauge size of your conductor is absolutely and fundamentally the single most critical thing you could possibly do to increase signal flow.
No kidding.
You know what? I bet you already knew that. So, why is not the body of audio demanding that cables be made from thicker, heavier, bigger wire, and how is it possible that manufacturers are not trying to educate consumers on this one simple yet profound truth?
Well, consumers have demanded that cables be light and flexible, and they will buy them regardless of how much sense it makes to have tiny flexible conductors.
Virtual Dynamics made a commitment, okay, I made a commitment, long ago, that my mission wasn't to become the best marketer. I am not even close, nor do I care to be, but I do, with my whole heart, care to provide you with the very best audio cable performance that could be had, and if I knew of a way to better what I had, I would offer it for you. I understand full well that the industry is using things like six nines pure copper to achieve better conductivity, but if you do your homework, you'll realize that no one is talking about conductivity, just copper purity. No one is saying "hey, we're more conductive than the next guy. we'll actually let more signal through."
Why? Why is it that we're not saying "we're twice and conductive, we're 300% more conductive as audio manufacturers with our technology of high purity wire?"
Well, here is the simple truth. One of the most conductive conductors on the marketplace, as far as material goes, for copper wire, is electrolytic tough-pitch. It's rating for conductivity is actually 101%. It is a technical marvel and is only 99.95% pure. It is recognized by the entire wire industry as being, well, you get it, it's a very cool wire technology product, because it is 1% more conductive than any other 100% conductive copper, but let me let you in on a little secret, that this rating of conductivity is restricted to and guided by one simple common factor. Gauge-size.
Huh. If you increase the gauge size, at all, you will supercede this conductivity, so why not just double the gauge size and make the conductor far more conductive than you could ever do with high-tech, and high-purity conductors.
So why are cables from Virtual Dynamics, so stiff and heavy, because we are building what you need, you are ignoring purposely what you have asked for because we know it is neither what you really want, or good for you. We respect you, and we love that you share this hobby. We want to get you closer to the truth of the original sound, and if we have to fight you to get you there, you will find a bleeding, battered, torn up, kicked and pushed-around Rick Schultz laying on the street somewhere begging you to just increase your gauge size.
It's funny that audio isn't full of simple little truths, but I will guarantee you that this simple little truth that I have shared today will make some people very very angry, and, in fact, although it is the simplest law of physics for conductivity, some will even try to argue it. Because what I'm telling you is not good for everybody, it only meets one real need in the audio marketplace, and that is to educate and help you, the consumer, build better sound. If that was not what I was doing, I certainly would not want to tell you, and would argue this simple fact even though the sheer idea is ridiculous.
So, finally, what was I babbling about with square tires, well nice you see the logic of things, some thing make little sense. It is simple to see the logic behind the good old fashioned round tire, but let's just say, for argument's sake, that all the major tire manufacturers launched, this year, a brand new revolutionary tire. The concept was that it was different than anything made in the market before. It had a revolutionary new rubber, and a tread pattern that was certain to turn heads, it was lightweight and leak resistant, but let's just say, to own this new tire, you would have to be certainly of a little more wealth. These new tires do not come cheap. They are 30x more expensive than the good, old fashioned tire of the past, the round tire, oh yes, did I mention that this new tire, was square? Why oh why do the tire companies not do this? The marketing, I mean with a good push, could make it sound like a marvel, a technical creation beyond the driving enthusiast's wildest dreams. Well, let me pose this. You might just look at that square tire understanding the basic physics and say "What the ^&%*?" and I would suggest a few other people, may be with you on this.
So now, really, can you blame me if I might have a little bit of the "what the ^&%@" over this whole idea of thin, light, flexible cables.
Keep your ears tuned,
Rick Schultz
