DIY Interconnects

zingo

So I'm thinking of taking the next step and make my own RCA interconnects. (I figure that I already make my own speaker cables, this is probably the next step). I was looking at silver wire, but that's pricey stuff. I found some Belden 82761 for the cable and GLS Plugs for the connectors. Seems like they would work well together, and the cable looks like it might sound good.

hearingimpared

Ben62670 is the guy to talk to about DIY cables.

zingo

Good call

ben62670

I tried that cable, and it isn't worth it. A local supplier had it, and it was flat sounding. I would look at using a good coax cable that would fit those connectors nice. the solid center would make for some nice sound, and very little time involved with making them.

Systems

That Beldon looks interesting,how many feet per box?

zingo

The supplier I looked at, Westlake Electronic Supply, sells it in pretty much any length you want. That is where I get my Canare 4S11.

Ben, I know that coax is used for 75 ohm video. It works for audio just as well?

ben62670

zingo wrote: »

The supplier I looked at, Westlake Electronic Supply, sells it in pretty much any length you want. That is where I get my Canare 4S11.

Ben, I know that coax is used for 75 ohm video. It works for audio just as well?

From what I hear excellent inexpensive cable. You have to get the right insulation between the signal wire, and the shield, which is used as ground. Do a search on DIY interconnect RG6 Beldon, and you should be able to find the right wire. If you get the wrong insulation this wire will be flat also;)

zingo

Thanks, I'll look into that. Using the shield as ground was my other question.

zingo

Does this look like the right stuff: Belden RG6, because 10 cents per foot is awesome!

ben62670

I am not sure, but I think it is some sort of foamed Polyethalene.

zingo

So I want the Polyethalene insulation, right? It also says this stuff is triple shielded. Wow...

ben62670

Do a search. A lot of guys have used coax with great success. Also there are some compression RCA fittings that work well with it. I think PE has them.

zingo

I'll check that out, and thanks for all the help ben.

ShinAce

The shielding on RG6 is usually not that fantastic due to the fact that the cable is being mass produced for cable tv. If you're going with Belden cable, don't worry because their cable is well built.

75 ohms is not going to be a problem for audio, since the receiver and transmitter aren't balanced at 75 ohms to start with. This is a factor for transmission losses, which you won't have over 12 foot lengths.

Face

75 ohm is usually for digital coax and sub hookup. Interconnects are usually, but not always less than 75 ohm.

zingo

Obviously, silver would be the best to use. Can that just be bought at any electronics place, or is it a special order?

ben62670

zingo wrote: »

Obviously, silver would be the best to use. Can that just be bought at any electronics place, or is it a special order?

I have looked into silver coax, and it is all stranded, and expensive. I would suggest sticking with a solid copper on that design.

zingo

Well that makes sense on the coax. What about just using silver wire? I saw a design where you take an insulated wire and wrap another the outside as the ground, then put insulation over the entire thing.

bikerboy

Hi Zingo,
If you want to try a set of silver ic, let me know. I live in seattle and have a set you can borrow to hear what they are like. I find them to be better than any copper type I have listened to. PM me if you are interested.