DIY Cable Questions and Comments Thread

[uncola]

This is what happens when you grab the soldering iron by the barrel
 
click for gore 

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

 

[65535]

Why would you do that? I brush my iron against my hand occasionally while soldering but it never burns me. I keep it set at 535F if that makes a difference, no need to go higher.

 

[Kamakahah]

It sends shivers down my spine just thinking about touching it long enough to do that.

 

[i luvmusic 2]

WHY???

 

[DJScope]

Haha. Rooky mistake. I've done that before.

 

[BotByte]

I've done worse... got my finger caught in a drill...
Still have my finger though!
 
Anyways, I have a question for ya'll: I'm thinking of recabling my T50RPs for dual detachable cables. The problem I hit is deciding what connectors I should go for. I kind of don't want to go for 3.5mm mono, and mini XLR seem rather large. Is there any decent gold-plated cable connectors and jacks out there? I'm interested in if you can buy the coaxial jacks that Hifiman put out (I know you can buy their connectors). 

 

[DJScope]

  I've done worse... got my finger caught in a drill...
Still have my finger though!
 
Anyways, I have a question for ya'll: I'm thinking of recabling my T50RPs for dual detachable cables. The problem I hit is deciding what connectors I should go for. I kind of don't want to go for 3.5mm mono, and mini XLR seem rather large. Is there any decent gold-plated cable connectors and jacks out there? I'm interested in if you can buy the coaxial jacks that Hifiman put out (I know you can buy their connectors). 

 
You mean like F-Type jacks they use for cable TV/internet?

 

[TrollDragon]

   
You mean like F-Type jacks they use for cable TV/internet?

No more like RF SMA connectors...
http://www.rfconnector.com/sma-connectors.php
 
They are SMC connectors...

 

[uncola]

it looks like this site sells them..  I can't tell if the part built into the hifiman headphones is male or female but they sell both.  They are definitely smaller than mini xlr..  but mini xlr seems to be getting popular.  my modded zmf t50rp uses a single mini xlr male 4 pin..  later he moved onto the dual entry..  single entry seems more ergonomic but I guess dual is better for sound
 
http://www.norneaudio.com/litzheim/index.php?route=product/product&manufacturer_id=11&product_id=47
http://www.norneaudio.com/litzheim/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=43
 
edit:  found some for sale on etsy..  I think this might include both male and female but not sure?  better email them and ask if ordering
https://www.etsy.com/listing/176025725/hifiman-headphone-connectors-for-diy?ref=related-0

 

[uncola]

Hey what are your thoughts on heat shrink, should it cover the bottom half of the rca jack barrel or should you just slip it inside the barrel of the rca jack?  If it's adhesive heat shrink and you slide it over the surface of the rca plug barrel, that helps with preventing the wire from being pulled out of the rca plug right?  
 
Is it better like this 

or like this:

 

[TrollDragon]

You can buy those ones or pick up some from China but the shipping take forever...
 
Male Sockets
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-connector-SMC-male-plug-nut-bulkhead-solder-1-13-cable-straight-M-/281150396314
 
Female Plugs
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-connector-SMC-female-jack-crimp-RG174-RG316-LMR100-straight-F-/271349281875

 

[TrollDragon]

IMHO all heat shrink needs to be out of sight...

 

[elmoe]

I prefer heatshrink inside the plug, and not too long, but thick enough to that there is no play between the plug and the cable. I sometimes use several layers of heatshrink when the cable is too thin so that the plugs don't move at all.

 

[DJScope]

  IMHO all heat shrink needs to be out of sight...

 
I agree. The most that is acceptable is about an inch out of the inside of the connector and only if it's done neatly. Some times you absolutely need it for holding the sleeve of or filling in the gap for small diameter cables.

 

[PETEREK]

 
Anyways, I have a question for ya'll: I'm thinking of recabling my T50RPs for dual detachable cables. The problem I hit is deciding what connectors I should go for. I kind of don't want to go for 3.5mm mono, and mini XLR seem rather large. Is there any decent gold-plated cable connectors and jacks out there? I'm interested in if you can buy the coaxial jacks that Hifiman put out (I know you can buy their connectors). 

 
Yes, yes you can.

 

 
 
 
And yeah, I sanded down and filled the stock hole for the 3.5mm jack with body filler.