Just wondering about interconnect cable choices and materials

[chris_ah1]

Cable questions (LOD minded)

So, was looking at all the options etc etc. I think I've decided against getting an ipod LOD with charging.

My heart almost skipped a beat when i saw the iaudio with MMC/SD slot and 16GB flash with 52 hours battery (D2?) came with line out - but fortunately it was just disinformation on a forum.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, any tips and info on the different cable types. So far I've heard of:
a) Silver plated copper - any good? Any bads? (55USD to 70USD for LOD)
b) Mogami quad copper - goods, bads? better than the others? (45+shipping for LOD)
c) 3x Jena Cryo 22G. Good, bad, better, worse? (70USD to 85USD for LOD)

I've been in touch with some DIYers and their info is good - one reason why I love this community so much. Just looking for broader info.

I <3 my UM2s and xin reference so want to give them healthy food. Admittedly I am slumming it by having mp3s on the go....perhaps I'll get out the WAVS for the ipod classic.

(my cable dream - 5 to 6" with ipod LOD, nice and ultra flexible so it can get jammed in a bag and not take too much room, neutrik nickel/gold plated, rubber or some sheathing - I love the look of 3 jenas bare, but doesn't inspire confidence when travelling)

thanks again.

[chris_ah1]

nobody?

[digger945]

If you were to try three different materials, then you would prolly know more than many on these forums. I've read alot about the Jena Cryo wire allowing electron flow with much less "noise". Seems like switchcraft and Fururtech and Vampire Wire are pretty popular. I read a post a while ago that said silver wire sounded "shrill", I don't know. Myself, I make interconnects with Radio Shack connectors and Monster copper clad aluminum wire for now, until I get better at it. I will no doubt buy an Alo LOD from the FS forum soon, or something with Jena wire, so I can see for myself. You might try Qables.com also.GL
Scott

[chris_ah1]

thanks digger.

I think materials matter more for aesthetics and build quality/longevity from what I've been discovering. Yes different materials affect timbre differently, but I doubt it is consistent.

Top concerns i guess not only include the sturdyness of the cable (and jena looks as if it can be abused), but also the RF shielding (something i was impressed with mogami stuff when i read it).

Whether the latter makes a difference, I dunno yet.

Problem is that the cable will make less than 1% change - a nuanced change - whereas simply switching to line out and amp makes a massive change in comparison. So with whatever material, the sound quality battle is won by using line out.

[digger945]

I think you definitely got something there with the RF Shielding, cause i can be listening to Event TR-8 monitors through an NAD-1130 Pre and if you get close to the monitors you will hear a radio station. I would like to know more about RF Shielding and sending that stuff to ground or whatever. BTW thats using a cheap Monster Balanced eighth inch stereo to left and right trs(mono) with about 0dB gain on the monitors. Yes you should read the stuff about the Cryo process and copper crystals and how they allow better flow of electrons within the wire, and without electron noise( I am not sure if this would make a difference, but Jena claims it does). Some good reading at the Vishay website about this and thier new line of resistors and capacitors (noise, signal, esr, and etc.), I have some switchcraft right angle plugs ordered but can't make up my mind about a wire as of yet.
Scott

[chris_ah1]

well I've done a lot of looking around and out of all the cable choices I was very impressed when i read up on the cable warrior05 uses - quad microphone cable from mogami. And of course jena looks great lol XD

someone in this forum is looking for copper interconnect options - you should give it a read.

[digger945]

Just read some reviews for a Mogami Gold Neglex Quad Microphone cable at the Guitar Center website, and nothing but good things to say about it. Most accurate, uncolored, widest frequency response, highest cancellation of hum and noise, increases dynamic range, transparent and uncolored sound. Of course, each cable manufacturer says their cable is best, but alot of this comes from the customer (people who record in this instance). Still I would like to try the cryo wire just to see, or even A/B them if possible. Still looking for threads about comparisons here at Head-Fi.
Scott

[digger945]

Speaker Wire
I don't know enough about cryo wire to include it in this story, so... for now I make IC's with Radio Shack mini's and ordinary copper wire. I will get you the link for the conductivity of wires from wiki, and I know for sure that silver wire is more conductive.
Your right about the mini connectors, some of them are wicked cool, and I have a weakness for black chrome.
Later
Scott

EDIT: Oxygen Free Copper is more pure not because of the absence of oxygen, but that in the process iron is also removed, thereby making it a little more stable and conductive, and less prone to oxidation as well, which WILL cause problems with your connection.

[infinitesymphony]

Of the cables you mentioned, I'd pick the Mogami Star Quad. It has better cable geometry and shielding than the other solutions. It won't look the prettiest or be made out of a precious metal, but the signal quality should be the purest.

[chris_ah1]

ty infinite symphony. I thought the same looking at the specs and pictures too. I couldn't find anything at all on jena shielding. Unfortunately the jena does seem to put the least strain on the connectors when bunched up

I don't think the mogami is that flexible or strain free.