[eXniHiLo]

Hi there.
 
I'm planning to DIY my interconnect between my portable amp and my clip, but cannot find any bulk cable - like this one - around there (France)
Though, I was wondering if that kind of cable (seen in a specialist's shop) would be good or if it was not the good cable.
Sorry for the dumb question and thanks in advance for the answer
 
P.S.: I have already found my neutrik angled for €7 (~$8.6) x2.

 

[JacobLee89]

  Hi there.
 
I'm planning to DIY my interconnect between my portable amp and my clip, but cannot find any bulk cable - like this one - around there (France)
Though, I was wondering if that kind of cable (seen in a specialist's shop) would be good or if it was not the good cable.
Sorry for the dumb question and thanks in advance for the answer
 
P.S.: I have already found my neutrik angled for €7 (~$8.6) x2.

 
Any cable used for electrical signals would be fine. You can strip a USB cable for it's wires, or a Cat5e network cable and they'll still be good for audio.
 
I used some hobbyist SPC hookup wire before, and it was as good as the Fiio interconnect I have. The only major thing you are getting yourself from DIY'ing your own cable is having a more direct control over design, dimensions, and aesthetics.

 

[creatip]

  Hi there.
 
I'm planning to DIY my interconnect between my portable amp and my clip, but cannot find any bulk cable - like this one - around there (France)
Though, I was wondering if that kind of cable (seen in a specialist's shop) would be good or if it was not the good cable.
Sorry for the dumb question and thanks in advance for the answer
 
P.S.: I have already found my neutrik angled for €7 (~$8.6) x2.

 
Cable on the first link is very small. You'd wanna braid it, for interconnects. 4 strands braid works, but the best (aesthetically) is 8 strands. It looks pretty when braided.
 
Oh and I think you can find those in ebay. Some of them sell it per meter.
 

 

[eXniHiLo]

Thank you JacobLee89 for the answer.
So for you a Mogami, Gotham, UF-OCC or whatever else is the same? If this is really the case that's good to know - way less expensive cables.
 
edit: @creatip: the cables are filled with 0.11mm² wire (~27AWG). I thought it was sufficient. What size would you suggest me?
edit 2: Ah, I finally found something interesting there (UP-OCC Hook-up wire). Still 5 times the price you get in North America, but heh, only site I found =)

 

[BillsonChang007]

Thank you JacobLee89 for the answer.
So for you a Mogami, Gotham, UF-OCC or whatever else is the same? If this is really the case that's good to know - way less expensive cables.

edit: @creatip
: the cables are filled with 0.11mm² wire (~27AWG). I thought it was sufficient. What size would you suggest me?
edit 2: Ah, I finally found something interesting there (UP-OCC Hook-up wire). Still 5 times the price you get in North America, but heh, only site I found =)

I got a 24AWG 10m cable for around $17 shipped, should be here by next week. I am planning to do double cord for each channel (24AWG x 2); ground, left and right.

Theres no best AWG, if it is too thin, I believe you can just use two cord for each channel. Correct me if I am wrong guys! It is also worth noting that, double cable does not double the AWG, the formula are as follow; Pie x Square of Diameter of Wire / 4. The number you got is used to find the AWG in the table such as www.accesscomms.com.au/reference/awgcalculation.htm

Hope it helps
Billson

 

[creatip]

  Thank you JacobLee89 for the answer.
So for you a Mogami, Gotham, UF-OCC or whatever else is the same? If this is really the case that's good to know - way less expensive cables.
 
edit: @creatip: the cables are filled with 0.11mm² wire (~27AWG). I thought it was sufficient. What size would you suggest me?
edit 2: Ah, I finally found something interesting there (UP-OCC Hook-up wire). Still 5 times the price you get in North America, but heh, only site I found =)

 
Sufficient in functionality, maybe. Including the teflon jacket, it's less than 1mm, just a tad bigger than a fishing line. I tried braiding 3 strands, 4 strands, and 8 strands. 3 strands feels too flimsy and brittle. 4 strands could work, but it's relatively a lot smaller than the cable hole of most stereo plugs.I stick with 8 strands. Took longer time to braid, but best result and doesn't feel flimsy and brittle. 

 

[JacobLee89]

   
Sufficient in functionality, maybe. Including the teflon jacket, it's less than 1mm, just a tad bigger than a fishing line. I tried braiding 3 strands, 4 strands, and 8 strands. 3 strands feels too flimsy and brittle. 4 strands could work, but it's relatively a lot smaller than the cable hole of most stereo plugs.I stick with 8 strands. Took longer time to braid, but best result and doesn't feel flimsy and brittle. 

 
What happens if you do 6 strands? Almost nobody mentions this.
 
I would understand if it's for a headphone cable for connecting to separate cups, but for 3.5mm interconnects it shouldn't be much - if any - of a problem.

 

[TrollDragon]

   
What happens if you do 6 strands? Almost nobody mentions this.
 
I would understand if it's for a headphone cable for connecting to separate cups, but for 3.5mm interconnects it shouldn't be much - if any - of a problem.

 
6 Strand IC and short wooden one...

 

[JacobLee89]

   
6 Strand IC and short wooden one...

 
I see, but I definitely do not observe, so it seems!

 

[020Assassin]

   
6 Strand IC and short wooden one...

Beautiful!

 

[creatip]

   
What happens if you do 6 strands? Almost nobody mentions this.
 
I would understand if it's for a headphone cable for connecting to separate cups, but for 3.5mm interconnects it shouldn't be much - if any - of a problem.

 
AFAIK, as far as braiding goes, there are flat braiding, and round braiding (3 strands can''t be braided in round braids). I tend to go for round braids for better flexibility in all directions. 
 
As for why not 6, well, mostly individual preference, I guess.
 

 
This is the 4 strands round braid. Uniform shape and patterns. A bit like a chain.
 


 
The 6 strands round braid (at least the way I do it) gives un-uniform shape and paterns between the sides. The resulting shape is kinda like a trapezoid (smaller in 1 side, bigger on the opposite side)
 
*cables above are just cheap-ass cables I got for practicing and experimenting with different kind of braids and number of strands
 

 
8 strands round braid have uniform shape and patterns on all 4 sides (yes, it's actually square shaped)
 
In the end, I go for 8 strands braid for small gauges, or 4 strands braid for big gauges.

 

[TheYonderGod]

I'm making a cable (4 pin->dual 3 pin) for my headset mod (adding a mic to my AD700s)
Did I get the wrong cable, the wrong connector, or do I just have to deal with the cable being too thick to fit the connector's strain-relief spring?
I got this cable - http://www.showmecables.com/product/4-conductor-star-quad-microphone-cable-black-per-ft.aspx
And these connectors - http://www.showmecables.com/product/3-5mm-Plug-TRRS-Connector-Metal.aspx http://www.showmecables.com/product/3-5mm-Stereo-Plug-Connector-Metal.aspx
 
I can just barely fit the screw-on connector cover over the cable. I cant even fit it with some heat-shrink on the cable. 
 
 
 
Between this problem, and me learning how to solder, especially since my soldering iron is a 180w industrial gun, this has been a long and expensive project. I probably should have just bough an Antlion mod-mic, but at least now I have the knowledge. 
 
 
One more question-
on the dual 3-pin side of the cable I need to split the ground into 2 wires (1 for headphones 1 for mic) Will there be any problem using thicker guage wire for this part? It's either that or cut off a couple inches more of this cable, but it's a perfect length so I'd rather not. 

 

[lobehold]

Some questions for the experienced DIYers, due to me learning that solder pot is a thing:
 

1. Is the solder in the solder pot reused? If so, how long do you use it before discarding it - if it is to be discarded at all?
2. If it is being reused, would the impurities - esp. if you're using it to burn away the litz enamel - become a problem?
3. Do you use the same type of solder in the solder pot (tinning) as the solder you use for the actual soldering?
4. Does lead-free solder give off less harmful fumes?

 

[Muffin860]

I'm getting cell interference.
 
I made my first cable last night. It is a 3.5>3.5 mm cable, totaling about 4' 3". I used 24 AWG silver plated oxygen free copper wire with teflon insulation. I used para-cord as a sleeve for each wire, then braided the para-cord. This morning when I test it, I get some interference whenever the cable is near my cell phone . Can someone explain to me where I went wrong? Should I have added a 4th strand and soldered it to the ground of one of the jacks to create a shield? Thanks in advance.

 

[zild1221]

Hopefully you guys can help me out. I'm doing a custom set of grados in a light pink and black color scheme. I am going to do a couple modifications to them including a single sided detachable cable. 
 
I don't want to go with a visible braid, just a solid cable. Either Mogami W2893 or Canare L-4E5C will probably be what I use. I want to sleeve it with light pink, so Paracord will be my best bet. What size paracord fits over these wire models? Do I have to strip the jacketing off to fit it in the Paracord? And if so on the last question, is there a wire that's recommended where I do not have to strip off the jacketing? 
 
Thanks. And if you're wondering, here's a quick sketchup model with different color schemes. I'm leaning toward full pink cup. http://imgur.com/a/Fqjvz