Diy interconnects

laotzu61

I would appreciate some input regarding diy component interconnect cable and plugs, and where to get it. also, what solder to use. thanks.

Systems

Doug is a member here, and has DIY components for most budgets:
http://www.douglasconnection.com/

Sonic Craft would be another source:
http://www.soniccraft.com/

You will need a decent soldering iron, and a cheap continuity tester would be useful.
I like the Wonder Solder Signature, and the Cardas Quad as far as solder goes.

If this is your first time building, you might consider a coax design, simply because they are easier to make than a multi-conductor types.

laotzu61

thank you, pepster. I wasn't aware you could use coax to connect, say, an amp to a pre, or a tuner to a pre. what about a turntable to a pre? thanks again.

Systems

laotzu61 wrote: »

thank you, pepster. I wasn't aware you could use coax to connect, say, an amp to a pre, or a tuner to a pre. what about a turntable to a pre? thanks again.

Yep, you can use it for most anything, including digital cables, I am not the biggest fan, but it would be a great/cheap way to get you feet wet, and latter on explore some other designs.
Start easy, and increase the difficulty as you gain some hands on.


You may want to explore other options on the phono connection, looking for a lower capacitance than most coax designs offer (there may be some out there), I don't use coax that much, so I am not familiar with types that would be good for phono.
There are however alot of "stock" phono cables using coax.
Maybe someone more familiar, can chime in with a recommendation.

laotzu61

here's my iron. http://www.circuitspecialists.com/soldering-station-60-watt-3dlf.html

Systems

laotzu61 wrote: »

here's my iron. http://www.circuitspecialists.com/soldering-station-60-watt-3dlf.html

Should work great for IC's.

Speedskater

Over 99.99 % of all RCA interconnects use a coaxial style cable.

But having said that, not all coaxial cables are equal for any given use. The co-ax that the cable TV network use's is very different than a guitar cable.

Systems

Very true.
I should have mentioned you want to look for 75 ohm coax.
If you can get ahold of Zingo like mentioned in your other thread, I believe the wire he has is Liberty, which would be a great starting point.

Something from Canare, Mogami, Furutech. DH Labs, ect. would be cheap enough for your initial pair/s, and offer decent sound quality.

I have used the Mogami 2964 in the past with good results, as well as Straightwire "silver 23", which is also very good.

laotzu61

zingo sent me a VERY generous length of signal cable back in november of last year, along with some shrink tubing. one reason I posed this question was that I seem to have read somewhere that you should not use coax for component interconnects, so I wanted to make sure. the more correct info I have, the better. that is why I ask questions on this site. anyway, i'm first getting around to be able to pursue this now. and thanks for all the help.

Systems

I have yet to find a coax I prefer to other designs, but I am sure there are some superior coax cable on the market, I just have not tried them.

75 ohm coax should work well for most "audio component" applications.

My advice had to do with the fact of experience, meaning you would not want to possibly waste/ruin some expensive cable/connectors if this was going to be your first build.

And once you get the idea/concept of constructing them, the sky would be the limit.

One advantage of building your own is the ability to buy very long, excellent quality cables, for a very good price, used (longer than most would need), and cutting them up, installing good quality rca's, thus having multiple pairs of IC's you could not otherwise afford.

Systems

I would be happy to help with building them, and may know a shortcut or two, so if you have any questions, just shoot me a pm.

laotzu61

I will do that, pepster. and thank you very much. It may be a bit yet, but I am looking forward to this; finally.

pitdogg2

I've used Canare L-5CFB coax with very good results

http://store.haveinc.com/p-49697-canare-l-5cfb-rg6-sdi-video-coax-18g-braid.aspx

http://store.haveinc.com/p-49774-canare-rca-male-for-l5cfb-v5cfb.aspx

Canare RCA can be had cheaper find the seller on eBay and both the link above and the link below will match the price of 29.99 X10 RCA's

http://www.markertek.com/Cables/Bulk-Wire-Cable/Bulk-Digital-Video-Cable/Canare-Corporation-Of-America/L-5CFB-BK-300M.xhtml


ebay Canare's
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CANARE-RCAP-C5F-75-ohm-RCA-Crimp-Plug-Connectors-10-PACK-/251184752186?pt=US_Video_Cables_Adapters&hash=item3a7bc7263a

there is some cost associated with crimper's but other than that I have been very happy with all I have made.
Palidan makes a very good crimper that sell for 60$ with the correct die on markertek beats the heck out of the Canare tool for 100.00 + 60.00 for the die.....way out of line if you ask me:)