[PYROphonez]

Okay, I know absolutely nothing about DIY, but I want to make myself some DIY 10 foot dual rca-rca cables on the cheap. Can someone lead me in the right direction for materials and instructions? I will actually probably just get some junky parts from radioshack, just because it's convenient. If I really get into the DIY thing, I may move up to more pricy materials. What kind of wire will I need from the shack?

My dad has the solder and everything, and I'm sure he could help me out. I want to get into this while I'm young (15) so I can progress over the years.

I looked at the stickied interconnect instruction post, but it kind of confused me at a glance.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Sovkiller]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PYROphonez /img/forum/go_quote.gif Okay, I know absolutely nothing about DIY, but I want to make myself some DIY 10 foot dual rca-rca cables on the cheap. Can someone lead me in the right direction for materials and instructions? I will actually probably just get some junky parts from radioshack, just because it's convenient. If I really get into the DIY thing, I may move up to more pricy materials. What kind of wire will I need from the shack? My dad has the solder and everything, and I'm sure he could help me out. I want to get into this while I'm young (15) so I can progress over the years. I looked at the stickied interconnect instruction post, but it kind of confused me at a glance. Thanks in advance.

First you need to define what exactly do you want, twisted paris, or coaxials, a good starting point is Canare cable (Starquad my favorite for twisted pairs) and any good plug....

 

[FallenAngel]

For some RCA cables "on the cheap", you definitely can't beat going to www.redco.com, buying some "Canare L-2T2S" at $0.39 / foot if you want 2 wires (1 for each RCA cable), or you can get some "Canare L-4E6S" at $0.45 / foot which has 4 cables inside and you can carry both signal/ground pairs in one wire. Then grab some Neutrik RCA plugs, nickel palted "NYS 352" for $0.68 or gold plated "NYS 352G" for $1.01.

Now your total for a pair of 10 foot RCA-RCA is anywhere between $7.22 (10' StarQuad + 4x NYS352) to $11.84 (Pair of 10' Balanced + NYS352G)

Any way, you're looking at a very cheap cable which will perform VERY well over any store-bought $10 range cable.

 

[morsel]

DIY A/V RCA Compression Connector Cables

 

[PYROphonez]

Alright, right now I'm planning on taking FallenAngel's advice.
I think I've decided on the L-4E6S with the NYS 352G, costing $8.54
I have one question still. What would I have to cover the exposed wire with?

 

[blip]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PYROphonez /img/forum/go_quote.gif Alright, right now I'm planning on taking FallenAngel's advice. I think I've decided on the L-4E6S with the NYS 352G, costing $8.54 I have one question still. What would I have to cover the exposed wire with?

Sounds like a good plan. When you say exposed wire I presume you mean the junction between the jack and the cable. If so then heatshrink is the way to go. You can also cover it with nylon sleeving. Redco has a pretty complete stock.

The L-4E6S is a good cable from what I've heard but you might want to consider the Mogami version (http://www.redco.com/shopexd.asp?id=493) IIRC it has slightly better capacitance figures and supposedly has a better shield. (Not that it will probably be noticeable IMHO)

 

[PYROphonez]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blip /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sounds like a good plan. When you say exposed wire I presume you mean the junction between the jack and the cable. If so then heatshrink is the way to go. You can also cover it with nylon sleeving. Redco has a pretty complete stock. The L-4E6S is a good cable from what I've heard but you might want to consider the Mogami version (http://www.redco.com/shopexd.asp?id=493) IIRC it has slightly better capacitance figures and supposedly has a better shield. (Not that it will probably be noticeable IMHO)

Thanks for the reccomendation. I was choosing the L4E6S because it was all four cables in one, but I think I may change my mind and use the other Canare.
I'm a total DIY noob right now, so bare with me on this question: Does it matter which of the two cables within the wire are used for signal or ground?

 

[FallenAngel]

Doesn't matter which cables, but it makes it easier to remember if you use the same colour for signal/ground on both channels, like use both blue wires for ground and both white wires for signal.

 

[applebook]

Canare recommends the whites for signals and blues for grounds, but I've experimented with mixing the wires and using Canare's method and don't pereceive any real difference in SQ. If the cable is going to be reallly long, then noise and hum could be an issue.