[Paladin79]

  well, I tried a different pattern for the 16 strand braid. This time a spiral
 

 
 
and the square braid for reference:

 
Hard to tell which I like better. I'm just gonna have to make one. I don't look forward to stripping 84 feet of quad.

I would be curious if you noticed any difference in sound compared to say the original quad cable when you get one built. 
 
Many years ago there was a local guy who sold all brands of speakers, some he designed and built himself. He would use a switch box to go from one set of speakers to another so the customer could actually hear one set compared to AR's or Infinity's or whatever. I try to use that same approach with headphone cables and headphones. Cables are easier of course because you do not have the impedance differences but cables are another matter. It is not that hard to use a known headphone, run a four pin mini xlr and switch between cables going to a headphone amp. I wish I could just remember and say oh this one had a V shape or a U shape but it is never easy for me. If I have some listen to my setup, I can go to different switch designations and they never know if it is a braided cable, star quad, or dual conductor with a ground. It is just the way I learned and I try to duplicate some of that, I can switch between star quad and occ or litz. Mind you there is always a short cable going to the headphones but that remains constant, as do the dac and amp and music. To me looks are a factor but so is the end result. If I put the most money in a specific cable and people consistently like two cheaper cables or stock cables better, I start wondering if it is worth the bother. I just like to get it down to the same headphones on the same music so I can rapidly switch back and forth when comparing.

 

[Allanmarcus]

 

  well, I tried a different pattern for the 16 strand braid. This time a spiral
 

 
 
and the square braid for reference:

 
Hard to tell which I like better. I'm just gonna have to make one. I don't look forward to stripping 84 feet of quad.

I would be curious if you noticed any difference in sound compared to say the original quad cable when you get one built. 
 
Many years ago there was a local guy who sold all brands of speakers, some he designed and built himself. He would use a switch box to go from one set of speakers to another so the customer could actually hear one set compared to AR's or Infinity's or whatever. I try to use that same approach with headphone cables and headphones. Cables are easier of course because you do not have the impedance differences but cables are another matter. It is not that hard to use a known headphone, run a four pin mini xlr and switch between cables going to a headphone amp. I wish I could just remember and say oh this one had a V shape or a U shape but it is never easy for me. If I have some listen to my setup, I can go to different switch designations and they never know if it is a braided cable, star quad, or dual conductor with a ground. It is just the way I learned and I try to duplicate some of that, I can switch between star quad and occ or litz. Mind you there is always a short cable going to the headphones but that remains constant, as do the dac and amp and music. To me looks are a factor but so is the end result. If I put the most money in a specific cable and people consistently like two cheaper cables or stock cables better, I start wondering if it is worth the bother. I just like to get it down to the same headphones on the same music so I can rapidly switch back and forth when comparing.

I've only been able to hear the difference between cables once. I was at a meet and some folks were comparing two 500+ cables. I think I heard the difference and said I preferred cable "B". Everyone was surprised because they preferred cable "A". We then compared these two cables with the cable I made from SommerCable SC-PeaCock Mk II cable (same as used in the beyedynamic T1 gen 1), and they all thought the peacock cable sounded just as good. I could not tell the difference. Wha difference I could tell was minimal at best. I'm lucky, I guess, that my ears aren't all that trained or sensitive! I can focus on having fun with cable making and not worry too much about the tiny sound differences. 

 

[Paladin79]

 
I've only been able to hear the difference between cables once. I was at a meet and some folks were comparing two 500+ cables. I think I heard the difference and said I preferred cable "B". Everyone was surprised because they preferred cable "A". We then compared these two cables with the cable I made from SommerCable SC-PeaCock Mk II cable (same as used in the beyedynamic T1 gen 1), and they all thought the peacock cable sounded just as good. I could not tell the difference. Wha difference I could tell was minimal at best. I'm lucky, I guess, that my ears aren't all that trained or sensitive! I can focus on having fun with cable making and not worry too much about the tiny sound differences. 

There is nothing wrong with having fun doing most anything and I am more apt to consider the opinion of others above my own hearing preferences. I am in a different arena and my thoughts and techniques differ accordingly. As far as myself, I am not about to pay $60 a foot for some wire if I cannot find anyone who can consistently say it sounds better than 20 cent a foot wire. (obviously there is more difference between headphones and amps and it makes more sense to invest money into those.) I enjoy the looks of different braided cables and certainly experiment with those as well, I just have to be a little cautious in business as far as what I say and do not say so I pay attention to some of the science behind things.
 
I have all kinds of equipment, a minimum of 35k albums, headphone test recordings etc., but my favorite tests consist of a few Chesky recordings done in churches. Binaural plus. On a few cuts you can hear the patter of rain on the roof in the background. Unfortunately I am a little spoiled by such recordings and have a hard time listening to much else right now.
 
I mainly talked about how I go about comparing one cable to another. It is a little tough for me to say wow that cable I heard eight months ago was so much better than this one I listen to now lol. My company may well be selling some cables soon and the more data I can get, the better. In no way, shape or form have I said others should think or do the same things as me. I am hoping to have wire of a quality that will save people from cutting apart star quad if they prefer not to do that. If you enjoy the experience, more power to you.

 

[Reima]

I am planning to make a balanced cable for my modded Fostex T50RP. Would a 28AWG silver wire okay for this or do I need a thicker wire?

 

[Paladin79]

  I am planning to make a balanced cable for my modded Fostex T50RP. Would a 28AWG silver wire okay for this or do I need a thicker wire?

I think 28 awg would be fine. That wire is so costly if pure silver that I am sure it would be pretty costly to move up in gauge. What amp are you running? What is maximum power output? What length cable were you thinking of building?  I could give a more educated answer with a few numbers. I am thinking those headphones are around 50 ohm impedance, I hope that is pretty close even with mods.

 

[Reima]

  I think 28 awg would be fine. That wire is so costly if pure silver that I am sure it would be pretty costly to move up in gauge. What amp are you running? What is maximum power output? What length cable were you thinking of building?  I could give a more educated answer with a few numbers. I am thinking those headphones are around 50 ohm impedance, I hope that is pretty close even with mods.

I am using an Ibasso PB2, it puts out up to 2500mW. The cable will be about 54 inches long. I am looking at the non Toxic brand silver wire that Toxic cables has for sale.

 

[Paladin79]

  I am using an Ibasso PB2, it puts out up to 2500mW. The cable will be about 54 inches long. I am looking at the non Toxic brand silver wire that Toxic cables has for sale.

I am guessing that you do not have to crank the amp much to drive those headphones, half volume or so and it is capable of 2.5 watts. I would not be afraid to try it. At that length you are not adding a lot of resistance. I would feel more comfortable at 26 awg if it does not cost a lot more or if you could do an eight wire braid you would be effectively increasing the wire gauge to around 25 awg using the 28 awg wire.

 

[Reima]

  I am guessing that you do not have to crank the amp much to drive those headphones, half volume or so and it is capable of 2.5 watts. I would not be afraid to try it. At that length you are not adding a lot of resistance. I would feel more comfortable at 26 awg if it does not cost a lot more or if you could do an eight wire braid you would be effectively increasing the wire gauge to around 25 awg using the 28 awg wire.

Thanks, I would rather go to a 26awg wire than to attempt a eight wire braid. Will look into the 26awg options, I may still decide to use UPOCC copper wire instead.

 

[Paladin79]

  Thanks, I would rather go to a 26awg wire than to attempt a eight wire braid. Will look into the 26awg options, I may still decide to use UPOCC copper wire instead.

It is not something I have to figure out often but if pure silver, it is a better conductor than copper so less DC resistance but you are throwing in a smaller diameter so you are causing me to think lol. I have heard pure silver and I am pretty happy with high end copper but tastes vary. What I generally avoid is silver plated copper but that is a discussion for another day.

 

[i luvmusic 2]

 

  That type of stripper is under sooooooo many brands ranging from $7-35 CAD at least in my area.

Yeah the one in my photo has the Vise Grip brand on it. There are some cheap knock-offs out there too.

Yeah they are all made in CHINADA....

 

[Reima]

What I generally avoid is silver plated copper but that is a discussion for another day.

I am avoiding silver plated copper as well, I will either get pure silver or copper. Some of the copper wires are pretty expensive as well.

 

[Paladin79]

  I am avoiding silver plated copper as well, I will either get pure silver or copper. Some of the copper wires are pretty expensive as well.

They can be. Years ago a friend told me that Linn Audio would not produce a cd player until it was audibly better than a turntable.  I like to quantify the difference before I spend the money on wire, and it is why I try to test for differences.

 

[audiofreakie]

Anyone have link to diy micro usb OTG with power chord?


I try to build USB type C to usb.

 

[liquidzoo]

Anyone have link to diy micro usb OTG with power chord?


I try to build USB type C to usb.

Not DIY, but you can buy one: http://www.head-fi.org/t/822353/usb-type-c-3-1-to-micro-usb-otg-cable

 

[Letmebefrank]

@Paladin79 Hey Tom, can you link me where you buy your Rean Mini XLR 4-pins from? I cant find them on markertek.
 
Thanks