Any component suggestions for a DIY HD600 cable???

you absolutely should not pay $105 for that cable.. that is a rip-off if i've ever seen one.

5 feet of mogami = about $7

Neutrik plug  = $8

cardas plugs = $16

heatsrhink and some techflex = $3~$4

You can definitely make one for much cheaper, and it's much more fun and rewarding to do it yourself. Regarding what cable, plugs, etc will give what sound, I can't help much there.

If you use some basic, yet quality, parts like Neutrik plugs, Cardas Sennheiser plugs, and some mogami or Canare starquad cable, you'll have something that does what it needs to very well.

what's the best place to order such cables and plugs? too bad i'm in Canada tho. haven't been able to find a local or Canadian store that cable these plugs and cables

Considering that the guy has to pay income taxes, shipping, paypal, and ebay fees as well as spend time, solder, and various little odds and ends to make the cable happen, it's not a bad deal.  If you are not comfortable building the cable yourself, then considering buying a cable.  They're not that hard to make, my first Sennheiser cable turned out not too bad.  You do need quite a few tools and materials though...I would only invest if you think you're going to DIY all of your cables in the future.  If you need any specific help, let me know.  

you could always have someone here in the US buy parts and ship them to you and then reimburse a bit for that. in the end i still think you would end up saving a agreat deal of money rather than buying that cable on line.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyc327 

what's the best place to order such cables and plugs? too bad i'm in Canada tho. haven't been able to find a local or Canadian store that cable these plugs and cables

i don't think there are any 3.5mm plugs coming with 1/4" adapters... but i'm sure you could easily find 1/8" to 1/4" adapters anywhere on ebay for real cheap. 

Not too hard to get a 1/8" to 1/4" solid metal adapter that snaps on, from radio shack or anywhere.  You won't find DIY miniplugs that just come with one.  

Blindcat,

I really like the Senn sound but the original Senn mini-plugs and the Cardas replacement ones are a disgrace, I'm glad to see that Senn has moved away from these awful little plugs with the 800.

Be very careful with your soldering iron, the plastic used is really crap. Many have posted about broken connections to these Senn plugs, not surprising really. Instead of using open solder channels, as in a typical RCA plug or solid pins aka XLRs they use a tube, which is  impossible to tin inside. I have repaired a well known commercial after/market cable that had been sent back for repair to the makers which was a joke. I realised the only secure way was to solder the single solid core wire to the outside of the hollow pin.

I must stress that it is vital that you use the proper diameter heatshrink over these mini plugs and it should be a type that has an internal glue. I have used a 6-1 ratio heatshrink, it is a real sod to get to shrink but it does grip the plug and cable absolutely. Pretty it is'nt but I can guarantee that the conductor will not break away because of the iron grip of the heatshrink. The 6-1 heatshrink will shrink solid but nothing to worry about there as the cable is hanging virtically or near so.

Why do so most h/phone companies use stranded wire, not for it's audio quality but because stranded is perceived to be better able to withstand breaking. You may well find it better to cut away the pathetic strain relief and indeed the bottom of the mini plug, this way you will have more room to work. The irony is that using small gauge solid core wire is not the problem, the problem is that very often the wire is carrying the weight of the cable because the heatshrink is incorrect and is not taking the strain.

It isn't hard to solder a HD600 plug.  Go buy some "Safe Art Systems Liquid Safety Flux" (google it, a few art stores sell it), not expensive.  Swab it onto the wire and contacts, and the solder will literally jump on with minimal heat or effort.  If you have a really cheesy soldering iron it can be harder as it will apply too much heat.  Serious DIYers need a Metcal SP200 or better.  You don't solder the wire onto the top of the tube, just stick the wire into the tube and start flowing solder onto the tube and it will flow right inside.  

For heatshrink I use the 4:1 ratio high flow clear glueshrink from Cableorganizer, have to search for it on their site, I think.  It's tough as nails.  For filling the plug with glue, Gorilla epoxy works nicely.  

The HD800 plugs may look nicer, but they're tricker to solder...still, they don't melt easily, at least.  

Hi

You don't say how much a stock cable replacement will cost.

If that is inexpensive then I would certainly get that.

Alternatively of course you can create your own cable.

You ask "What's the best cable to use to fatten up the sound (wider soundstage, more defined bass & treble etc) while keeping it neutral as possible?"

but cables aren't  going to have that kind of influence on the sound. Unfortunately there are plenty of people creating this impression, and I think that is causing the problem in your decision making. It's not your fault 

Either build a sensible cable (which will sound like the original), or just buy a replacement of the stock cable.

If you want to have a significant impact on the sound of the reproduction then you will need to look at source components and amplification.