I'm not sure I can accurately characterize this product as I really can't tell the difference between these and other brands I've used. What I can attest to, however, is how well made this cable feels like it was made to last a lifetime and I just love the braided jacket over the standard insulation. It's really flexible and I love the variety of sizes available to adjust the length to my specific application. I can only surmise that gold tipped candles conduct better than those without, although I haven't been able to prove it. Just be aware that these are really beautifully made cables, if a cable can be beautiful at all ;-)