Advise needed RE: multi-room, preamp-level audio cable

jcaut
jcaut Posts: 1,849
edited June 2004 in Electronics
I'm wanting to run some line level, or preamp level, cable from one room to another in my house. It doesn't have to be an "audiophile" sort of installation, as it won't be used for serious listening. I just want it to be reliable and "done right." I have some wall plates with RCA jacks to mount in a standard box. The longest run will be about 20 feet.

I'm unsure what type of cable I need to run. It needs to be in-wall cable and good shielding is desirable since it will have to pass near some electrical wires. Here's what I've got available to me, currently:

1). I have scrap pieces of a shielded cable that were left over from where I work, that would be plenty long enough to use. It's conductors are 18ga copper, twisted-pair with a bare ground wire and an aluminum shield. We use it at the water plant for 4-20ma instrumentation applications that are sensitive to electrical interference.

2.) I've got plenty of CAT5E that I've been using for computer network and telephone.

3.) Some "mystery" wire. Only marking I can find on it is "CL3" which I believe makes it suitable for in-wall use. I can't remember where I got this, as I've had it for years. It has two, seperate insulated, stranded copper conductors-- small maybe 20-22ga.-- each with their own copper braid shield. This looks like the ticket, to me, if the small gauge wire is not a problem.

4.) That's all I've got. If I need something else, I'll have to go buy it. But I'm a cheapskate so I'm trying to use what I've got!

Thanks,
Jason
Post edited by jcaut on

Comments

  • jcaut
    jcaut Posts: 1,849
    edited June 2004
    Anyone??

    It's because I typo-ed "advice" in the subject line, isn't it?:rolleyes:
  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited June 2004
    If it's just for back ground music,then use rg6 quad shield.It can carry the audio signal long distances and is nicely shielded.

    The better way to send analog signals is 2 conductor with a drain and shield or better put Mic wire.This is an actual interconnect type wire and also can carry analog signals long lengths.

    See Liberity or Beldon.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited June 2004
    I got a question,
    why are you sending line level?Why not have all the gear in one place(to avoid grounding problems that occur)then send speaker wire out.

    14-4 to a local volume control then 14-2 to a pair of speakers in the room???

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.