[chych]

Hey guys... I'm really looking into the DIY interconnect and cable area since recently completing my (half-assed) DIY extension cable. I want to get some better parts and such... But I do not know what cable to use. Currently I am using this cable that isn't copper or silver and is stranded and dirt cheap ( http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...=2763&CATID=56 ) and from the DIY headphone extension I made, it sounds pretty good... more bass I feel probably due to the strandeyness. But I think its nickle or steel or something, not sure... (check out my headphone extension: http://homepage.mac.com/cyb/headwize...nsionSMALL.jpg ).

I'm going to get some Neutrik silver plated connectors to make a better headphone extension ( http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...=2527&CATID=39 ) and ( http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...=2543&CATID=39 ).

I'm also going to make some ICs using Neutrik ProFi RCA jacks ( http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...=2533&CATID=39 ) and some of the silver plated 1/4" jacks (I have an ART DI/O).

However, as I said, my only concern is the actual cable. Whats up with the Belden cable I keep hearing, and where can it be found, anyone know? I looked at silver cable from like homegrown but it is WAY too expensive. I'm trying to find some solid copper or silver at $0.5/ft MAX (preferably teflon insulated), any suggestions?

 

[morphsci]

Jon Risch's DIY Page discusses the construction of both IC's and speaker cables from coax cable. The basic cable of choice for Jon is Belden 89259 which has a teflon dielectric and an FET jacket. I doubt if you will find it for $0.50/ft however. I have some I am selling but I can't really sell it for less than $1.50/ft shipped even after buying a fairly large quantity. See This thread for details. Bolder Cable sells it for $4.60/m plus shipping also.

 

[rickcr42]

Radio Shack part number 910-1587 is Beldon 1506A which is close to the Beldon 89259.Main difference is it has a solid copper core.Try for interconnects. $0.90/ft

And welcome to the DIY forum,'bout damn time

 

[chych]

Hehe thanks rick

I'm not extremely good with electronics so....

Anyways I was looking around and found this:
http://www.worldwidewire.com/products.html

Its some really really cheap teflon insulated wire, like $37 for a 1000ft spool... I wonder how it is...

I'm also planning on replacing all of my home theater wire with some DIY type if I get the 1000ft spool (it'll take me forever to braid, heheh).

And morphsci, I'm kinda looking for braided wire... I don't think that Belden is the right type, and it'll get too expensive for me...

 

[rickcr42]

Well then why not try some cat-5 ? I have used it with good results for interconnects and speaker wires.Look for the type with teflon jackets.The belden could also be used as ywisted pair wires by pulling the center conductor out.
Lotsa options really.I use maganet wire everywhere

 

[morphsci]

Quote:

Originally posted by chych And morphsci, I'm kinda looking for braided wire... I don't think that Belden is the right type, and it'll get too expensive for me...

I agree with Rick. Try some cat5 braided interconnects. Cheap except for the manual labor involved

. Check out Chris Venhaus' Cat5 Cable Page for some good directions. Also if you check out Jon Rischs page that I link to above he talks about using the cores from some Belden coax. You could certainly use a braided configuration with those as the Rickster also states. Good luck.

 

[chych]

Heh one of the reasons I do not want to go Cat5 is because of the wacky colors

I guess I can spraypaint the cable or something...

Is the teflon insulated one the Plenum grade ones?

 

[morphsci]

Quote:

Originally posted by chych Heh one of the reasons I do not want to go Cat5 is because of the wacky colors I guess I can spraypaint the cable or something...

Or you could just use some expandable sleeving secured with heatshrink. Check out Action Electronics, they have several sizes of expandable sleeving.

 

[Videoshielded]

This is just my opinion, okay? But my comparisons of 89259 to 1505a and 1506a indicate that the 89259 is really worth the extra money. I presently limit my use of the 1506a to video and digital applications. If you want a small sample of 1505a to play with, you can mail me an SASE and I'll send you some. Of course, I live in DC metro, so you might want to irradiate the package when you get it back . . . .

 

[Budgie]

Usually, plenum grade wire will be Teflon insulated, However it is best to double check, as there are other types of plastic that can be used to meet the same requirements.

 

[altie]

I've been curious lately about using Cat5 for audio cable. Does anyone know which wire pair(s) would be best to use? I know that the orange and green pairs are used for data transmission, and that the various pairs are twisted at different rates to prevent crosstalk, but I have no idea which ones would be good for audio. Any ideas?

 

[chych]

You can use all pairs really... though maybe you should try and keep each channel of the same pair length (it doesn't matter how many twists, just the consistency).

I think I'm going to get 100' of Belden 1585A for this project of mine (http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...Fid=910%2D1603) And use some sleeve to cover the ugliness up.

 

[Videoshielded]

Chych, if you don't mind dealing with EBay, I have a lot of luck getting Belden teflon-insulated Cat 5 there, dirt cheap. Jon Risch's web page lists all the Belden part numbers, and you can search for them until a deal turns up.