[furyossa]

I am interesting to make two balanced custom cables for my Samson QH4 amp which use balanced 1/4” (6.35mm) TRS left and right inputs
The first cable (2.5mm balanced TRRS to dual 6.35mm TRS) would be to connect iBasso DC01 (2.5mm TRRS output) with Samson QH4 (dual 6.35mm TRS inputs)
Second cable (4.4mm pentaconn TRRRS to dual 6.35mm TRS) is for iFi Zen DAC (4.4mm TRRRS output) and Samson QH4 (dual 6.35mm TRS inputs)
I put together this little booklet in attachment with some information for these devices and schemes for these two cables (version #1 not use ground and version #2 with ground included). My question is: if this is the correct way to wire these cables, and if so, which of these cables should use ground and which not?
I would really appreciate any advice

 

[imas69]

I think you should be using 8 strands of wire as per your diagram but with 4 strand going to each 6.35mm from the 2.5mm trrs and the 4.4mm

 

[imas69]

Both cables should have R- and L- going to ground at the 6.35mm

 

[imas69]

Looking for a good quality 3 pin xlr (male) I have tried cosmic cables but they don't seem to stock them, does anyone have any other suggestions in the UK
please.

 

[furyossa]

I think you should be using 8 strands of wire as per your diagram but with 4 strand going to each 6.35mm from the 2.5mm trrs and the 4.4mm

Yup. For 2.5mm to dual 6.35mm, I need a minimum of 6 strand ie 4 strands for signal (R+, R-, L+, L-) and 2 for: (L- to left ground and R- to right ground.)
Same as for 4.4mm but last 2 strands go: pentaconn ground to left ground of 6.35mm plug and one for right side

Both cables should have R- and L- going to ground at the 6.35mm

So you suggest version #2 from the booklet? Did I choose the correct wire direction?

 

[vanerik23]

Hi guys! I'm very new to this forum. In fact, this is my first post!

Have any of you guys worked with this type of cable?

I'm just wondering how to properly strip these cables. I've worked with other types of cables before but all you need is a wire stripper for that. This one does not seem to like those though. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[imas69]

Try burning it for a second with a lighter and then pulling it off with your fingers but you didn't hear that from me.

 

[vanerik23]

Try burning it for a second with a lighter and then pulling it off with your fingers but you didn't hear that from me.

I've tried that but I usually end up with soot on the wires and that makes it hard to tin. Any tips on how to avoid that?

 

[Saturnian]

Are you sure it's not litz wire and that you need a solder pot, see if you can get a signal from end to end with a multimeter, if not then you probably need
to remove the enamel

 

[chrisdrop]

Hey all. What is different between a SPDIF coax and an RCA cable from a DIY perspective? I have made a few pairs of interconnects, just wondering what is needed/ different.

A different gauge of cable? Different RCA connectors? Any parts/ cable recommendations?

 

[vanerik23]

Are you sure it's not litz wire and that you need a solder pot, see if you can get a signal from end to end with a multimeter, if not then you probably need
to remove the enamel

I don't think there's enamel on the conductors. I think each conductor is sealed with some silicone and cotton. Of course I could manually separate the fibers but that's going to take forever. here's a link to the item on aliexpress: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/328...earchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

It's actually silver foil wrapped around something and serves as 1 strand. There are 7 strands per share.I think there's cotton fibers in-between each strand. This seems pretty complicated that's why I need a little help. I'm able to make custom cables for my headphones with this but it takes so much time to get the ends ready to be tinned and soldered on to connectors. There must be an easier way.

 

[Airutra]

Is there any place to purchase MMCX male connectors that will ship to the US within a week or so? The only one I've found was https://www.amazon.com/Earphone-Component-Balanced-Connector-Replacement/dp/B07T1CBXJT but it's a whole set of connectors.

 

[imas69]

https://www.cosmic-cables.co.uk/mmcx-and-0-78mm-2-pin

Is there any place to purchase MMCX male connectors that will ship to the US within a week or so? The only one I've found was https://www.amazon.com/Earphone-Component-Balanced-Connector-Replacement/dp/B07T1CBXJT but it's a whole set of connectors.

Try here at cosmic cables but contact Ian for delivery as he will reduce it for you before you pay

 

[imas69]

Try here at cosmic cables but contact Ian for delivery as he will reduce it for you before you pay

https://www.cosmic-cables.co.uk/mmcx-and-0-78mm-2-pin

 

[Darksoul]

Recently I've gotten the itch to try different cables, for "science." I want to listen my self. Perusing, my experiment would cost me upwards of 500 USD, that's just nuts. However, I saw that if I buy the cables and connectors my self, everything could go for 150 USD, if I buy all the types of cables I want to try. Much more reasonable.

Maybe this was already answered here, you'll forgive for not being more diligent with the use of the search function. But I would like to know these things:

1. Why do I need a solder pot to solder Litz UP-OCC cables?
2. What sort of solder I need to solder silver plated cables?
3. What sort of solder I need to solder 100% silver cables?
4. Do I need to buy special connectors to use 100% silver cables?

Thank you in advance.