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Good online store to buy DIY parts, or place to get custom built LOD?

post #1 of 16
4/18/09 at 8:02pm
Thread Starter 
I'm trying to find a good website to order from that has parts for building a LOD for my 2nd gen iPod Touch.

I know of Qables... I have the dock connector and 1/8" jack picked out, however I'm not sure what to order in terms of wires.

I really want a cable that has a cable cover in black and red to match my rig, however they have a limited selection of techflex.

I'm also not sure if silver or copper wire is better suited for this, I do see a lot more copper builds than silver.

Also wondering what diameter techflex (or similar product) I would want to get... if I should get single strand wire or prebuilt (already in rubber sleeve, shielded, etc).

I'm hoping not to spend more than $40-50.

It would be easier if I could just buy it, but is there anyone who makes custom LODs? I want to be able to pick what kind of jack (angle), colours, etc....
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post #2 of 16
4/18/09 at 10:14pm
Here are a couple of places I use, but Qables is my source for LOD's
Switchcraft Audio Connectors, Mini XLR Plugs
Markertek - View All Manufacturers - Canare, Belden, AJA, Black Magic Design, Delvcam and more
Westlake Electronic Supply: Product Details for SWI-TB4M MINI XLR CHS MNT
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post #3 of 16
4/19/09 at 12:18am
x2 for Markertek; I think they should have everything you need to put one together except the ipod connectors. I get MP3 connectors from Ridax.

Cryoparts also has a similar selection of parts to what you'd probably end up getting at Markertek, and have a huge selection of tech-flex colors. You'd probably be interested in 1/4" sized tech flex. I think lots of people will make you an LOD, just have to find a DIYer with the components you want on hand.
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post #4 of 16
4/19/09 at 12:30am
I find the Tech-Flex to be rather stiff, so although it would be great for stationary IC's, I would go with softer nylon or cloth braided sleaving for Headphone cables, Extension cables, and LOD's
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post #5 of 16
4/19/09 at 2:46am
Thread Starter 
Fabric sleeves are nice as well.. I've used them in the past, but since I have no idea what shops are around me (Ventura, CA area) I'm limited to online stores.

Any recommendations for those?

Thanks for the other links, I'll check em out. Though I'm still unsure what wire or cable I should go with. Something already jacketed with three wires (L, R, G) or single strand wires.... copper or silver?

EDIT: Cool, this is nice and small.. I wonder if there's room for a resistor in there....

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post #6 of 16
4/19/09 at 2:57am
Depends on the gauge wire you use. How many ohms and which wires get one. One on the grnd or one on each signal, Rt and Lt ?
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post #7 of 16
4/19/09 at 3:16am
Thread Starter 
It's going to be for an iPod Touch, so the resistor is going to be connected to pins 11/15 and 21. I think it should be ok.. I'm pretty good at fitting stuff in tiny components.
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post #8 of 16
4/19/09 at 4:45am
Thread Starter 
Yikes, I didn't know wires/cables were ohm rated too.... hmm......

Any suggestions? I will be using this with my iPod Touch, NuForce Mobile and Sennheiser IE8.

EDIT: Would this cable work? 6ft.. I could cut it up and make a couple.. http://cgi.ebay.com/Mogami-1-4-TRS-B...3286.m20.l1116

This is the look I'm going for (black and red colour combo, not the connectors):
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post #9 of 16
4/19/09 at 6:29am
Check out Michael Percy;
Michael Percy Audio Ordering Information
And there's also VHAudio;
VH Audio - Audio cables, parts, and tweaks for audiophiles
For the actual connector there's lots of places but a good source for a 7 piece one with instructions;
SparkFun Electronics - iPod Connector Male Style 1
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post #10 of 16
4/19/09 at 12:10pm
Red Canare Quad + Black Tech Flex + Canare F-10 connectors will give you basically the same thing. Total cost for parts for a 6' dual rca cable 30.00 at most. You may even be able to find a place to print your own logo onto heat shrink.
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post #11 of 16
4/19/09 at 2:59pm
You don't need to bother with buying a cable and cutting it up; Canare Star Quad is like $0.51/ft at Markertek, and comparable at other places. Comes in red too (I just bought some from there )
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post #12 of 16
4/19/09 at 3:36pm
Thread Starter 
That's great, thanks guys... no matter how much I looked at that website I couldn't seem to find the cable I was looking for.
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post #13 of 16
4/19/09 at 3:54pm
DIY Heaven Canare Quad (L4E6S thicker) and (L4E5C, thinner) comes in like 7 or 8 colors, and so does the tech flex so your imagination is the only limit.
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post #14 of 16
4/25/09 at 6:52pm
Thread Starter 
Well, back to the drawing board. Yet again, I seem to have wasted money trying to do things myself.

Dock connector is too small, and pretty much a piece of crap. It doesn't snap together properly, and there's no room for a resistor. The hole is also too small for even the smaller diameter cable.

The jacks that I got are chrome, NOT nickel (which should be darker than chrome) so they don't look nice, as well the hole in them is too small for the cable with flex sleeve on it.

$40 later.. I could've bought a LOD. Maybe not the best looking, but I could have saved myself some frustration.
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post #15 of 16
4/25/09 at 7:26pm
You say frustration. I say Fun. LoDs are the hardest, simply because of the size. Such a short run does not need big cables. Heck the Dock pin it'self is only like 30 Gauge size. Mogami 2901 is 30G 2 conductor + shield ( grnd ) and it's .09 " in diameter. I do find that hot glue can really hold things together when they argue with me.
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