Footsteps to Silence and the Unvarnished Lineage—Choosing the Right Conductor for a 'Once-in-a-Lifetime' Chance

Hello! Thank you for always watching. This is Re:NISSAN.

Currently, the restoration project for Abe-san (Avenir), 'Re:Tech Japan,' is in the phase of drawing out the machine's inherent potential. This past weekend, without waiting for winter break, I went ahead and performed deadening on the front doors.

The result... let me be honest. It wasn't exactly a dramatic change(Self-proclaimed: A man who can't tell the difference). However, while subtle, the vibration of the air has certainly changed. I believe that beyond the accumulation of these small changes lies the 'Blue Pure Land'.

I am planning to work on the floor during winter break, but as a preparatory step, I am currently deep in thought about the 'lineage of car audio'.

■ The Trial: The 4-Gauge Trap and the Truth of 8-Gauge The specific selection of amplifiers and speakers is still to come. However, this timing, when I will completely strip the interior for floor deadening during winter break, is the 'first and last golden opportunity' to lay the battery cables that will serve as the main artery.

Because it is a place I will never see again once laid, I paused before two choices. One is the '4-gauge CCA cable' that exudes presence with its overwhelming thickness. The other is the '8-gauge OFC cable (made by Audio-Technica)' that holds a pure radiance despite its slender frame.

At first glance, one might think thicker is better, but a sweet trap named 'CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum)' was hidden there.

■ The 'Paper Tiger' Known as CCA CCA, which uses aluminum as its core, has about 1.6 times higher electrical resistance than copper. Even with the volume of 4-gauge, its conduction efficiency is equal to or less than 8-gauge pure copper (OFC). Furthermore, its nature of being weak against heat and corrosion is a risk that cannot be accepted for Re:Tech Japan, which advocates for machine preservation.

Furthermore, I learned something interesting while researching.

Since electricity has the property of flowing on the surface of a conductor (skin effect), a cable that gains surface area by bundling countless thin OFC wires is what enables efficient transmission. There is also a theory that thin wires are actually better suited for high frequencies (like tweeters), and I am overwhelmed by the depth of audio.

■ The 'Purity of Conductor' Brought by 8-Gauge OFC In contrast, the Audio-Technica OFC cable I am considering introducing. The price of 10,000 yen is not cheap. However, what is there is 'genuine conductivity' with impurities removed.

■ Conclusion: Re:Tech's Choice Honestly, I am tempted to do a 'listening comparison' with the CCA cable I already bought. However, I would like to finish the hard labor of stripping the floor carpet in one go if possible.

Because it is a 'lineage' that will be hidden under the interior and never touched again, I want to choose the 'real thing' that will continue to supply power without stagnation. That instantaneous power is the key to engraving an 'Ace (proof of reconnection)' onto the machine in the future.

'Noble quality (purity)' over 'cheap quantity (thickness)'. I must not mix falsehoods into Abe-san's machine. This decision is a vow to 'safety' and the 'sound of truth' to reach the land of silence.

※Warning: Always follow the instruction manual for correct usage. The challenge known as DIY is always performed at one's own risk.

List of CCA cables I bought by mistake

Note: It is not that they are bad in any way.

OFC cables under consideration

In the end, the options available on Amazon seem to boil down to two choices: 'inexpensive CCA' or 'reliable Technica (OFC).' If anyone knows of a cable that you would highly recommend, please let me know in the comments.

PS:

As I was writing this and looking for items, I found a 4-gauge Audio-Technica cable, so I went with that. It's a bit pricey, but I'll consider it a tuition fee.

Also, the speaker cable is OFC equivalent to 16AWG (about 1.25SQ).

…This investment is not just for the cost of parts, but a vow for 'safety' and the 'sound of truth' to reach the land of silence.

■ Finally: The 10m deathmatch and the insane 'double wiring' plan

Now, regarding the crucial cable length, I chose a 10m pack this time. Actually, the 15m pack was the best value, but the delivery date would be after the new year. To make it in time for the winter break installation, I deliberately chose to push through with 10m. I plan to route it from the trunk to near the front door... but will it really be enough? Considering the size of Abe-san's vehicle, it looks like it will be a '10m deathmatch' right down to the wire.

And then, a thought crossed my mind: 'Since I'm going to be stripping the interior anyway, shouldn't I just run the CCA I bought by mistake at the same time?'

The theory is to run the RCA cable on the driver's side and the power cable on the passenger's side, where the battery is, to avoid noise from high currents. I will lay both the OFC and CCA 'double' along that route. First, I'll play it with the CCA, then switch to the OFC to verify the 'true performance difference' with my own ears. If the CCA turns out to be unnecessary, I can just remove it then. (Since I'm an amateur, I shouldn't have the luxury of sparing the effort that comes with experience.)

A luxurious comparative experiment to shed the title of 'the man who can't tell the difference.' This winter break, a heated battle is about to begin under the floor of Abe-san's car.

Can I do it??

If anyone has a cable they recommend, I would be very happy if you could let me know in the comments!

■ Regarding equipment selection for Re:Tech Japan: The equipment introduced on this blog is what Re:NISSAN has actually purchased, installed, and verified. *As an Amazon Associate, Re:Tech Japan earns income from qualifying purchases.