What is everyones favorite wire type and gauge?

[leadfootdriver]

PVC, Solid Core, Cloth Covered, Teflon... Am I leaving any out?

I did a quick search, and didn't come up with much. I was thinking 20 gauge should cover it.

[billyz]

My Favorite is Kimber stranded copper with teflon insulation. Not That I use it all the time. But I always prefer Stranded over solid for it's durability. Teflon is a better sounding insulator but some find it a bitch to strip( i don't mind it). Also, teflon can take the heat without melting. There are also some hi temp PVC insulated wires that take the heat better too.

The Kimber is not microphonic either.
Plated wires can sound a bit harsher than the non plated Kimber too.

[leadfootdriver]

My Favorite is Kimber stranded copper with teflon insulation. Not That I use it all the time. But I always prefer Stranded over solid for it's durability. Teflon is a better sounding insulator but some find it a bitch to strip( i don't mind it). Also, teflon can take the heat without melting. There are also some hi temp PVC insulated wires that take the heat better too.

The Kimber is not microphonic either.
Plated wires can sound a bit harsher than the non plated Kimber too.

So, the Teflon Milspec stuff is Silver Plated? What gauge do you like?

[billyz]

20 gauge is fine for everything but the power supply. I like to use 18 or even 16ga on the power supply caps.

[Colossal]

So, the Teflon Milspec stuff is Silver Plated? What gauge do you like?

Kimber TCSS is NOT silver plated copper. It is stranded copper only in a Teflon (PTFE) jacket. It comes in 19AWG only and various colors.

The Kimber wire is not to be confused with typical 600V Teflon stranded copper that you can find anywhere (e.g. Watts Tube Audio) which IS silver plated.

[leadfootdriver]

For my first build, I assume I had PVC wire because it melts real easy like Velveeta cheese. (I read that KF explained it like this!)

I worked a bit with Teflon, but it's tough. But, I like the fact that you can NUKE it, and it holds it's sheath.

[steve_p]

600v PVC - 22AWG solid for just about everything. On my last build, I used 20AWG for the power tube filaments, then stepped down to 22AWG for the preamp tubes.

I think that for the power supply, 22AWG should be more than sufficient. Even on a twin, you only have about 450mA max that the tranny can supply on the HT. 22awg is probably good for 10x this current.

[leadfootdriver]

600v PVC - 22AWG solid for just about everything. On my last build, I used 20AWG for the power tube filaments, then stepped down to 22AWG for the preamp tubes.

I think that for the power supply, 22AWG should be more than sufficient. Even on a twin, you only have about 450mA max that the tranny can supply on the HT. 22awg is probably good for 10x this current.

I've been thinking about this. I've seen a post that laid out the voltage capacity of different gauges.

You have to wonder about going to big when you consider the leads on any resistor. They are very thin compared to even a 24 gauge wire.