JayPee

Dan, Most unbalanced interconnect cables are single-ended, that is, the cable's shield is grounded on only one end, mainly to avoid ground loops. The direction of these cables are intended to ensure that the grounded end of the cable is connected to the next component downstream toward system ground, usually the preamp or power amp. This configuration provides a noise drain to a common ground point, again to minimize ground loops. Some cable makers bother to explain this, some don't, some make other claims for directional preference. Most say, hey, if it sounds better the other way, go for it (excepting of course where damage could take place, such as with active-bias cables). In other words, cable directionality (or cryogenic treatment, skin effect, whatever, pick your poison) is not necessarily a deception, a complete fabrication or all about greedy manufacturers preying on pitiable, ignorant, impressionable non-engineering-degreed consumers, meaning the rest of us. (We really can fend for ourselves, thank you very much.) In forty-odd years I've yet to run across a manufacturer or dealer that would refuse a return for *any* reason short of damage. Now my turn to rant: I have never understood how "objectivist" scientists/engineers will reject something out of hand just because it doesn't seem to fit their paradigm or worse still, when they are simply ignorant of what they speak. This sort of behavior is "subjectivist" in the worst sense. If you can't at least support an objectivist opinion objectively then please don't bother. Jim SOTA/SME/van den Hul, Sutherland, Esoteric, Moscode, Gallo Acoustics, Audience, Nordost, Magnan, Clearview, Mapleshade, Shakti, Granite Audio, yadda-yadda