peasleer
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2007
- Posts
- 23
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Hello everyone!
I've been lurking head-fi for a while, and am starting a Cmoy and an Alien DAC. While I've been waiting for parts, I have been reading a lot about the interconnects and cables people have been constructing.
I'm pretty sure I could build an interconnect myself just by following the sticky IC thread, but I honestly just don't understand some of the "why" behind things people are doing.
So as far as my understanding goes, you have the cable, which of course carries the signal:
1) Why is there a different sound between silver and copper? Is it because of the ability of the metal to conduct electricity?
2) What are the differences between "stranded" and "solid" wire? I understand stranded is split up, but when is this advantageous?
3) How thin is too thin? I see people building ICs for headphones using 28 gauge wire. Wouldn't that break quite easily? Where is the balance for strength to thickness for every-day use?
4) What is the purpose of Lutz braiding? What kinds of ICs benefit from it?
And you have the plugs at either end which are soldered to the wire:
5) Why would you use straight versus right-angle plugs or vice versa? Is it just for space requirements?
6) Related to question one above, why do the quality of plugs matter past a point of simple conductance?
And then you cover the insulated wire in some other cover (before putting on the plugs):
7) What are you looking for when you choose a cable cover? Strength, aesthetics? Do they actually modify the signal's signature?
And finally, I want to build my own IC, but I'd prefer doing things cheaply my first time around. So, for Cat5e (because I have a lot of it): what are the common beginner recommendations for plugs and cable tubing?
Thanks for the tips and help with my understanding!
I've been lurking head-fi for a while, and am starting a Cmoy and an Alien DAC. While I've been waiting for parts, I have been reading a lot about the interconnects and cables people have been constructing.
I'm pretty sure I could build an interconnect myself just by following the sticky IC thread, but I honestly just don't understand some of the "why" behind things people are doing.
So as far as my understanding goes, you have the cable, which of course carries the signal:
1) Why is there a different sound between silver and copper? Is it because of the ability of the metal to conduct electricity?
2) What are the differences between "stranded" and "solid" wire? I understand stranded is split up, but when is this advantageous?
3) How thin is too thin? I see people building ICs for headphones using 28 gauge wire. Wouldn't that break quite easily? Where is the balance for strength to thickness for every-day use?
4) What is the purpose of Lutz braiding? What kinds of ICs benefit from it?
And you have the plugs at either end which are soldered to the wire:
5) Why would you use straight versus right-angle plugs or vice versa? Is it just for space requirements?
6) Related to question one above, why do the quality of plugs matter past a point of simple conductance?
And then you cover the insulated wire in some other cover (before putting on the plugs):
7) What are you looking for when you choose a cable cover? Strength, aesthetics? Do they actually modify the signal's signature?
And finally, I want to build my own IC, but I'd prefer doing things cheaply my first time around. So, for Cat5e (because I have a lot of it): what are the common beginner recommendations for plugs and cable tubing?
Thanks for the tips and help with my understanding!