DIY Cable Questions and Comments Thread

[kernel8888]

Hello, noob question here. Sorry if it has been answered previously, but will a 3 pin 3.5mm plug work to reterminate a lcd-2 cable?
 
http://www.amazon.com/Neutrik-NYS231BG-3-5mm-Stereo-Black/dp/B0008JFHII/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1462485009&sr=8-3&keywords=3.5mm+neutrik+plug
 
looking at this one, but not sure if the 3-pin jack will work or how to solder the right strands to the  right pin on the plug.
 
Any advice would be welcome, thanks!

 

[funch]

Yes you can, but why are you looking to do that?
 
This plug is more expensive, but a vastly better plug. 
http://www.amazon.com/Phone-Connectors-3-5mm-HANDL-piece/dp/B005T8TH84/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1462485248&sr=8-3&keywords=3.5mm+switchcraft+plug

 

[kernel8888]

i mainly use my lcd-2 straight out of my iphone, or out of my fiio e12, or centrance hifi m8 and don't like the bulk of the 1/4-3.5 adapter. plus I want to make it 4ft long so I'd reterminate at the 4ft length.
 
is there anything to know about which pin on the plug to connect with which cable strands?

 

[PETEREK]

Originally Posted by kernel8888 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  Hello, noob question here. Sorry if it has been answered previously, but will a 3 pin 3.5mm plug work to reterminate a lcd-2 cable?
 
http://www.amazon.com/Neutrik-NYS231BG-3-5mm-Stereo-Black/dp/B0008JFHII/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1462485009&sr=8-3&keywords=3.5mm+neutrik+plug
 
looking at this one, but not sure if the 3-pin jack will work or how to solder the right strands to the  right pin on the plug.
 
Any advice would be welcome, thanks!

Originally Posted by kernel8888 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  i mainly use my lcd-2 straight out of my iphone, or out of my fiio e12, or centrance hifi m8 and don't like the bulk of the 1/4-3.5 adapter. plus I want to make it 4ft long so I'd reterminate at the 4ft length.
 
is there anything to know about which pin on the plug to connect with which cable strands?
 

 
Hopefully you have a multimeter handy. You can cut the cable at whatever length you want and then strip the ends of each of the 4 wires. 
 
Pins 1&4 are signals on the mini XLR connectors, 2&3 are the grounds. You can determine which of the 4 wires are left, right, and grounds using a multimeter using this info.
 
Take both the grounds and twist them together, solder them to the sleeve (long soldering spot on the 3.5mm connector. Connect the left signal to the shortest soldering point, and the right to the remaining soldering point.
 
You're finished!

 

[Allanmarcus]

Naked or not? I have some Mogami quad cable, removed the insulation and shielding. I've need practicing braiding with 8cables, and I think I've got it. I'm concerned about microphonics if I sleeve the cable in 95 paracord, so I'm considering leaving it naked. Seems to me the kimber kable axios is naked, so why can't mine?

But I also worry about the fragility of the wires and the relatively thin insolation. Any thought on naked or not for and 8 wire cable, split into 4 at the Y?

 
Well, the braiding is complete. Here's what I learned. Doing a round braid on naked cable was impossible for me. I just couldn't control the wires and I got out of order too easily. The square braid was easier, but I didn't have a great system for when I had to stop for the night, so I have a few errors in the braid. My wife says that just proves it was hand made!
 
I'll probably terminate balanced for an HD800 (my new toy), but the connectors aren't here yet. I'm still debating putting sleeving on the section between the Y and the balanced jack, mostly for protection, but the visible braid is cool. I might stop the sleeving a few inches below the Y, just to expose some the braiding. So many decisions! (so many first world problems, oh well
 

 

[Kaszanas]

   
Well, the braiding is complete. Here's what I learned. Doing a round braid on naked cable was impossible for me. I just couldn't control the wires and I got out of order too easily. The square braid was easier, but I didn't have a great system for when I had to stop for the night, so I have a few errors in the braid. My wife says that just proves it was hand made!
 
I'll probably terminate balanced for an HD800 (my new toy), but the connectors aren't here yet. I'm still debating putting sleeving on the section between the Y and the balanced jack, mostly for protection, but the visible braid is cool. I might stop the sleeving a few inches below the Y, just to expose some the braiding. So many decisions! (so many first world problems, oh well
 

 
I am a noob up here, never tried making my own cables.
Would you please explain on how to make a cable with spliter for CAL? This one looks badass.

 

[Allanmarcus]

Sorry, not sure what CAL means.

 

[Kaszanas]

Sorry, not sure what CAL means.

 
It stands for Creative Aurvana Live - presumably one of the best phones for their price arround 45$ new and 20-25$ used in Poland.
Cable goes up into 2 cups separately so I guess that I would have to make a cable that is split. somewhere on its length.
I am not an expert tho, I am trying to get the idea on how to do it, so I can plan my work.

 

[Allanmarcus]

So what are you trying to accomplish with a new cable? That will help us to give you a better answer.

 

[Kaszanas]

So what are you trying to accomplish with a new cable? That will help us to give you a better answer.

 
It might seem stupid to you but I just want to learn how to assemble cables overall. So I am not really seeking an improvement in sound but pure fun from DIY experiment. But if I can boost the quality all along it would be cool too.
Nothing special. I would just like to make a replacement cable for 2 jack connector cups. Looking nice playing nice

 

[Allanmarcus]

 

So what are you trying to accomplish with a new cable? That will help us to give you a better answer.

 
It might seem stupid to you but I just want to learn how to assemble cables overall. So I am not really seeking an improvement in sound but pure fun from DIY experiment. But if I can boost the quality all along it would be cool too.
Nothing special. I would just like to make a replacement cable for 2 jack connector cups. Looking nice playing nice

Go back to post #5073 and start there.

 

[Allanmarcus]

PanaVise. I just got one, and I love it. Way better than Helping Hands clips. There are two that I can recommend; the 201 and the 301. I have the 301.
 
301. $54.99 MSRP, but commonly goes for $34

 
 
201. MSRP $29.99, but commonly goes for $25 on amazon. Also, seems to include the Speed Control Handle in the box

 
There sell a number of bases for these, but I just used an old piece of wood. Some suggest using a plastic cutting board.
 
At any rate, the PanaVise combined with helping hands is very useful. 

 

[WMah]

question for single sided headphones like the AKG K702/Q701's, if we are not going balanced, do we only use 3 wires for the cable? I'm just seeing some other aftermarket cable makers making single sided akg cables with 4 wires and just wondering if there's a rationale to it. the mini xlr connectors have a pretty small hole in the housing i am not too sure if a 4 wire braid can even get in there. 

 

[liquidzoo]

question for single sided headphones like the AKG K702/Q701's, if we are not going balanced, do we only use 3 wires for the cable? I'm just seeing some other aftermarket cable makers making single sided akg cables with 4 wires and just wondering if there's a rationale to it. the mini xlr connectors have a pretty small hole in the housing i am not too sure if a 4 wire braid can even get in there. 

4 is standard (L, R, and 2 to Ground), but you can use 3.

I agree that it's hard to get 4 into the mini-xlr. I've cut off the very end of the rubber boot in the past to accomodate the 4 wire braid.

 

[Toxic Cables]

Hi Guys,
 
we just took delivery of some more of our own custom connectors. We will be updating the new website in the next week or so with a huge range of connectors from most brands and our own. We should have everything you could ever need under one roof.
 
As we also have our own industrial high resolution heatshrink printer now, we will also be offering a printing service, to give your cables that professional look that a logo can add.
 
Below are pictures of just some of our new and existing connectors, including the first threaded IEM connectors, so no glue to mess around with. I have not had a chance to take pictures of all our own brand connectors yet, but we will try to get to them ASAP.
 
  
 
  

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