[Paladin79]

  I'm hoping to try a balanced cable for my 2.5mm HiFiMan HE-560 terminating to TRRS for my Fiio AM3 Balanced amp for the X7 and and looking to order a few TRRS ends to build out a few cables of differing lengths. 
 
Can anyone share a pic of their TRRS soldering positions? 
 
Any suggestions on TRRS connectors that people have had success in actually soldering at home?

I have tried four or five types but most have been junk. For a while Calrad had some good ones but they discontinued them, they had solder lugs that were well separated. I will see what I can find when I get to my office tomorrow. The cheap ones have what looks like a metal cylinder separated by plastic. Try to solder and the plastic melts, some are useless out of China.

 

[funch]

This is the only one I've seen. Markertek also has it listed. 
 
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Kobiconn/171-7425-E/?qs=%2fha2pyFaduh4UJYAHYDrvIf9JcZbqu%252bRxC3IuSsb%252b%2fo%3d
 
 
The ultimate splitter? Or lunatic fringe.
 
http://www.norneaudio.com/litzheim/Norne-Audio-Eidolic-Titanium-Y-split-splitter-cable-cables-aftermarket-diy-occ-litz-silver-precious-metal-limited-flagship

 

[Allanmarcus]

The ultimate splitter? Or lunatic fringe.

http://www.norneaudio.com/litzheim/Norne-Audio-Eidolic-Titanium-Y-split-splitter-cable-cables-aftermarket-diy-occ-litz-silver-precious-metal-limited-flagship

Most splitters are unbalanced and cause the sound to be heavier. Some are very dark in color, and with cheaper ones, that darkness leaks into the cable and colors the sound. Some are made from organic polymers, and thus make cables sounds plasticy. Most importantly, since your wallet is very open after buying this splitter, you will certainly feel that your headphones sound more open!

 

[ashmodai]

Thank for the valuable advices ! Actually talking about connectors and soldering, I have on more issue. Looks like the "cable" connectors for the SMC plugs are all to be crimped and not soldered ? How to proceed ? Should I try to solder it still ? any specific connectors you know about that are made to be soldered ?
 
Thanks again

 

[ashmodai]

Actually I have just seen that mouser stocks Belden cables  
For exemple: 
http://www.mouser.ch/Belden-Wire-Cable/Wire-Cable/Hook-up-Wire/_/N-5ggs?P=1z0jmglZ1yxufhe
 
Any particular recommendation ? (this is for creating a custom headphone cable for my TH-X00 ended in 3.5m to connect to my Hifiman player) 

 

[Tadamn]

 

I thought this might work a bit better.  Sadly, the DIY Cable Gallery thread is becoming less of a gallery thread and sadly, more of a Q&A thread
 
 
Let's use this thread for the Questions and Answers thread for information regarding DIY cables, connectors, using an ohm meter, paracord, etc. and all those types of questions and comments.
 
Meanwhile, the following thread  will hopefully head back in the direction it was intended for -- to be a gallery for members to show their fine crafting of DIY cables that provide many of us with great inspiration for this fine hobby.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/71148/diy-cable-gallery
 
 
Thanks !!
 
 
Links and Information for Cable and Connectors:
 
Wiring and Connector Supplies - Redco: http://www.redco.com/
 
Wiring and Connector Supplies - Digikey: http://www.digikey.com
 
Wiring and Connector Supplies - Have Inc.: http://store.haveinc.com/
 
Connector Supplies - Mouser Electronics: http://www.mouser.com
 
Wiring and Connector Supplies - Parts Express: http://www.parts-express.com
 
Wiring and Connector Supplies - Parts Connexion: http://www.partsconnexion.com 
 
HifiMan SMC Connectors - Ebay: http://www.ebay.com (Search for "SMC Connectors"  You will see a vendor from Hong Kong selling the connectors for $1.50, each.  Shipping is $1.80.  Remember to purchase 2 to get a pair.  You can buy in quantity and the shipping rate doesn't change.  Prices as of August 11, 2013.
 
Senneheiser Cable Connectors (to ear cups): http://www.lunashops.com (Search for "Acrolink Sennheiser"  These are about $9.00 a pair and usually arrive in the U.S. in approximately 3 weeks, or slightly less time.
 
 
Links for Paracord Suppliers:
 
Paracord Supplier - Supply Captain: http://www.supplycaptain.com
 
 
Instructions / How-To Guides:
 
Braiding Tips: http://www.seekyee.com/Slings/howtos.htm

Have you guys heard any rumors about Redco Audio's acquisition?

 

[Paladin79]

  Actually I have just seen that mouser stocks Belden cables  
For exemple: 
http://www.mouser.ch/Belden-Wire-Cable/Wire-Cable/Hook-up-Wire/_/N-5ggs?P=1z0jmglZ1yxufhe
 
Any particular recommendation ? (this is for creating a custom headphone cable for my TH-X00 ended in 3.5m to connect to my Hifiman player) 

Look in the Belden Brilliance series. Tastes differ, but personally I like some of their AES/EBU 110 ohm cable. 1800B, 1800F. The second is larger but more flexible.Then there is the 1508A, highly flexible,twisted pair audio cable, 24 awg. Great to work with and a size that will fit a lot of smaller 3.5 mm connector openings. You will not see a lot of hype from Belden but their quality control is second to none. Markertek also sells a lot of Belden as well as West Penn, Mogami and Canare. For balanced four conductor cable I use star quad made by Mogami or Canare. If you want good 3.5 mm trs connectors Mouser sells the Amphenol KS3PC in nickel or gold plated. They are extended to fit some hard to fit headphones as well as smart phones and other devices that are encased. This connector will accept cable up to 1/4 inch diameter if you remove the rubber grommet at the cable opening. The 1800F is the largest diameter and it is right at .20 inches.
 
 
I wish I knew of some quality TRRS (three ring connectors) but none of the major companies make them yet. You can get them out of China but personally I would not use those and you best have had a lot of soldering experience if you try.
 
Someone asked about smc crimp or solder. I have used both and for the crimp you have to have the proper die sizes for the crimping tool. I have maybe 10 different sets and match them up as needed. Soldering would be easier and you would have more cable options. You can find both types of SMC plugs on ebay last I looked.
 
One thing I forgot to mention to one person on here, if you use a solder pot to work with Litz wire, be sure you get some liquid rosin solder flux. You dunk the wires in the flux just a bit maybe 1/8 of an inch and then into the solder. You may have to do that a couple times and you have to be certain the solder pot has reached its maximum temp. The coating will rise to the surface of the solder as black clumps and you will see when the solder is adhering properly. Do not add rosin flux directly to the pot it is not a good idea, use solid bar solder and keep the flux separate. Those of you who have learned proper soldering will know about heating the joint first when using rosin core solder.

 

[ashmodai]

  Look in the Belden Brilliance series. Tastes differ, but personally I like some of their AES/EBU 110 ohm cable. 1800B, 1800F. The second is larger but more flexible.Then there is the 1508A, highly flexible,twisted pair audio cable, 24 awg. Great to work with and a size that will fit a lot of smaller 3.5 mm connector openings. You will not see a lot of hype from Belden but their quality control is second to none. Markertek also sells a lot of Belden as well as West Penn, Mogami and Canare. For balanced four conductor cable I use star quad made by Mogami or Canare. If you want good 3.5 mm trs connectors Mouser sells the Amphenol KS3PC in nickel or gold plated. They are extended to fit some hard to fit headphones as well as smart phones and other devices that are encased. I wish I knew of some quality TRRS (three ring connectors) but none of the major companies make them yet. You can get them out of China but personally I would not use those and you best have had a lot of soldering experience if you try.
 
Someone asked about smc crimp or solder. I have used both and for the crimp you have to have the proper die sizes for the crimping tool. I have maybe 10 different sets and match them up as needed. Soldering would be easier and you would have more cable options. You can find both types of SMC plugs on ebay last I looked.
 
One thing I forgot to mention to one person on here, if you use a solder pot to work with Litz wire, be sure you get some liquid rosin solder flux. You dunk the wires in the flux just a bit maybe 1/8 of an inch and then into the solder. You may have to do that a couple times and you have to be certain the solder pot has reached its maximum temp. The coating will rise to the surface of the solder as black clumps and you will see when the solder is adhering properly. Do not add rosin flux directly to the pot it is not a good idea, use solid bar solder and keep the flux separate. Those of you who have learned proper soldering will know about heating the joint first when using rosin core solder.

 
Thanks a lot !

 

[Paladin79]

no es nada.
 
 

Most splitters are unbalanced and cause the sound to be heavier. Some are very dark in color, and with cheaper ones, that darkness leaks into the cable and colors the sound. Some are made from organic polymers, and thus make cables sounds plasticy. Most importantly, since your wallet is very open after buying this splitter, you will certainly feel that your headphones sound more open!

This is funny!  The value of an item is what people will pay for it and something like that can only reach a limited portion of a limited market. One of a hundred has a nice ring to it though lol.
 
I have to be a little cautious with cables though. I have this 20 lb ragdoll cat who loves to chew on coiled cords and braided cords. Back in the days of home phones and coiled cords my wife was standing in the kitchen holding a phone saying the phone was dead. I looked down and the big fellow had chewed completely through the cord and it was just dangling there. With something like that titanium splitter on a a cable he might break a tooth.In my Avatar you will see him playing chess. His openings are incredible but he gets bogged down in the middle game and his endgame is non-existent.

 

[radmanhs]

Alright, I'm back with more questions....
 
I want to replace my old, worn out hd650 headphone cable.  I have some btg 26 awg wire laying around and wasn't sure If I should do a 4 or 8 wire braid.  It is pretty thin so I think the 8 wire braid would look pretty sweet.  
 
I know that there are only a few distributers of hd650 connectors, which makes it a huge pain.  There are cardas, furutech, and a few ebay sellers, which is always a little sketchy to me, but if the seller is trusted, it isn't too bad.  What connectors would you go for on your own cable?  Same goes for the 1/4" trs connector.  I used neutrik rean connectors in my last cables and I liked them a lot.  But I have seen amphenol connectors were pretty popular.  My question about them is, is the black part at the end plastic or painted metal?  I much rather have a full metal connector than one that is half metal and half plastic.

 

[Paladin79]

Amphenol does make a line of all metal quarter inch connectors available in silver or black bodies. The tips can be nickel or gold plated. Call Mouser, I just ordered some and they gave me those options and they can help with part numbers. I know the 650 connector is proprietary but I should have a cable in front of me today and I will help where I can. Personally I would use 8 wires, but I need to see the headphone connectors first to see how much room you have. Any time you double wires you are increasing the overall wire gauge. Combine two 14 gauge and the result is 11 AWG as best I recall. (I seldom look such things up so I could be wrong on the exact increase.). Since you have done this before I imagine you do understand twisted pair compared to running wires in parallel.

 

[radmanhs]

I understand how the twisted works, not sure what the parallel run is, other than literally just running the wires next to each other.  I've seen a few ways people have made cables with multiple wires, such as twisting the positive and negative together clockwise on 2 sets of wires, then twist those 2 sets counterclockwise.  Would it be fine to use the braiding methods that are on the first post, by using the 8 wire round/square braid, then splitting off into 2 4 wire flat braids.  Or should I use the twisting method?

 

[Paladin79]

Sorry I just meant the wires should not just be run next to each other, always twisted or braided. With four wires I imagine braiding is best without seeing the wire. A gentleman from here is helping me with a remodel and is bringing a 650 cable so I may have better answers in a couple hours. Also i doubt the black Amphenol are just painted. I would think powder coated or anodized. I have done an 8 wire braid using occ copper and silver and it works quite well but it was for single entry headphones so I did not have to split the wires for dual entry.

 

[radmanhs]

I imagine the simple solution for the 8 to 2 4 wire braids would be a splitter or heatshrink.  I bet he is going to plug his website in, but I do kind of like plussoundaudio's splitters 

 

[Paladin79]

  I imagine the simple solution for the 8 to 2 4 wire braids would be a splitter or heatshrink.  I bet he is going to plug his website in, but I do kind of like plussoundaudio's splitters 

As a member of the trade and not a sponsor, I am no supposed to plug anything and my company is not listing headphone cables per se at this time. I offered some general wiring advice based on considerable experience. I had not done anything with Sennheiser 650 headphone cables till about 5 pm today when a gentleman from this site came down to help with some remodeling. The standard 650 cable was much better wire than I expected and I was impressed with the sound. It was interesting to see the connectors up close. I am sure Plussound has fine splitters and if you like them you should certainly use them. If you do use heat shrink tubing, I would prefer the type with adhesive inside, you can use something like hemostats, lock them between the split of the wires as you are heating and the tubing seals itself around each leg causing a very nice finish.