When building my own speaker cables...
francis1967
Posts: 161
Guys and gals. I have one "simple" little question: Will tinned copper (TC, tinn electroplated around the copper core..not mixed into..) have adverse effects on my speaker cable vs bare copper wire (BC)?
I make my own cables using Belden 1585A bare copper wire braided in a (believe-it-or-not) 27 braid litz-like configuration. Now I have heard that the tinned copper is superior to work with and easier to solder and I can get it at a much lower cost than the bare wire (outside of that they are essentially the same 24 gauge non-shielded etc.).
So, my question is then, can I use the tinned copper version with no worries as to the properties of sound.
Btw. Thanks so much for your help on my question about my center speaker...it was in fact an inductor that had cleanly broken off the board. I live in San Diego, so going to Polk Service Dept tomorrow to get it replaced for $60+$35, unless someone has a complete crossover board for the LSI-C for less than $60?
Regards,
Michael W.
I make my own cables using Belden 1585A bare copper wire braided in a (believe-it-or-not) 27 braid litz-like configuration. Now I have heard that the tinned copper is superior to work with and easier to solder and I can get it at a much lower cost than the bare wire (outside of that they are essentially the same 24 gauge non-shielded etc.).
So, my question is then, can I use the tinned copper version with no worries as to the properties of sound.
Btw. Thanks so much for your help on my question about my center speaker...it was in fact an inductor that had cleanly broken off the board. I live in San Diego, so going to Polk Service Dept tomorrow to get it replaced for $60+$35, unless someone has a complete crossover board for the LSI-C for less than $60?
Regards,
Michael W.
Post edited by francis1967 on
Comments
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So you're using Chris VenHaus' recipe. How are the hands after all that braiding? I've been thinking of building those cables. Fortunately, I only need two 5 foot strips.
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I didn't know that it was a certain guy's recipe! Wow, who is this fellow? Any link to where I can read more? Hands are pretty tired. I am a stay-at-home husband because of illness so I have plenty of time. The worst part is takin the individual pairs out of the cable to start with, I don't have any good idea on how to get them out so I just cut carefully inch by inch. That takes a while.
Mike. -
Don't use tinned copper. Solder, even silver solder, is a poor conductor when speaking in relative terms. You'd be better off with Radio Shacks 18awg hook-up wire.Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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SYSTEM
HDTV ..........Sony KP-57WV600
CD / DVD......Sony DVP-C675D
AVR ............Denon 2801
MAINS .........Polk RTi8
CENTER .......Polk CSi5
Surrounds ....Polk FXi3
Sub ............Polk PSW-250
Cables.........Zebra Cables -
From what I understand, tinned copper sounds inferior to pure copper. I've tried silver plated copper and prefer pure copper.Make it Funky!
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Mike,
There's lot of info on the Cable Asylum (part of The Audio Asylum). They can be kind of fanatical, religious and very helpful. Glad to see another Polkie in San Diego. I started with Monitor 10s from The Sound Company in 1983. -
I got a super deal for a full set of POLK Audio LSi-9s, LSi-7s and LSi-Center for $1075 total for all five. I think that is a good price.
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THat's a great price for that setup.
Who in SD stocks the LSi line? -
I got the LSi7s new from a wholesaler on Ebay from LA. Then I bought the rest from a gentleman in AZ. Little usage, but the center arrived with a broken inductor so I will go to the Polk service center tomorrow and get a whole new whatchamacallits for it inside.
