How to make an interconnect Step by Step With Pics

[FraGGleR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vance182 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I only have one 3.5 to 3.5 cable, which is highly inconvenient being only a few inches long to connect my Zune to my car stereo. I have some CAT5E cable, will that be fine for a simple task like this?

Most decent quality cat5e cable has 8 24awg wires in twisted pairs that are either stranded or solid core copper. 4 of those should work fine.

 

[cobaltmute]

Most bulk Cat5E cable will be solid core as it is meant for structured (in-building runs). If you tear apart a good flexible patch cable it will be stranded as that is meant for the repeated flexing that would be patch cable use.

 

[vance182]

Thanks for the info guys. I guess I'll use this.

Now, should I put two of the wires in parallel for each connection or just one?

And my cable is yellow, black Techflex should look good over it, right?

 

[FraGGleR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vance182 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for the info guys. I guess I'll use this. Now, should I put two of the wires in parallel for each connection or just one? And my cable is yellow, black Techflex should look good over it, right?

Are you leaving the cable shielded and covered and just stripping the ends? One wire for each channel at 24awg is perfectly fine. It won't really help or hinder to use more wires for each channel as far as I know, but I am not strong on the science of all this. I am just familiar with what most people do. Also at least one for ground, although I believe it is more common to have 2 ground wires, to balance with each channel. There might be geometry considerations to cancel out interference, but someone more scientifically oriented will have to chime in.

Black on yellow should look fine. Only you can decide if it looks good.

 

[eruditass]

I need to make some TS to RCA cables. I was thinking of starting out with Cat5e because I have tons of it.

I was thinking of making 2 separate cables, 1 for L, 1 for R, to reduce crosstalk. For one cable, should I use 1 for signal, 1 for ground? That would be hard to keep together unless I wrap something around it, and I am going super cheapo for my first cable. What about 2 for ground?

Also, does it make a huge difference if I use a cheapo radioshack connector since it is an interconnect with low current?

 

[FrozenGecko]

Are radioshack connectors really that cheap(in price) compared to switchcraft connectors?

As for the cable, you can use 1 for signal, 2 for ground. 2 or 1 ground, doesn't really make a difference.

 

[eruditass]

When I have a coupon, yes.

My thoughts on the wire was that 1 for ground is 1:1 impedance for send and ground and would make more sense with respect to noise/emi/rfi rejection.

 

[igotyofire]

so with a 4 wire cable......in a TRS connector u solder 2 wires both to ground?......confused, why not just use a 3 wire cable with 1 designated ground.....preference and theory?

 

[FraGGleR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by igotyofire /img/forum/go_quote.gif so with a 4 wire cable......in a TRS connector u solder 2 wires both to ground?......confused, why not just use a 3 wire cable with 1 designated ground.....preference and theory?

2 to ground, ideally so you have 1:1 matching return with each signal. Many different preferences. There is a lot of proven science to the transmittance of sound, but you will find that measuring or deciding if anything has an audible difference more a matter of faith. In my mind it makes sense to match materials, lengths, and number of strands. You will also find most professionally made cables will use this method, too.

 

[geestring]

any phono plugs that are long for 1st gen iphones?

 

[goffer]

I'm looking into making some cables now that I have been practicing with cat5e cable.... though I am wondering is it ok to use expensive copper for the signal and cheaper copper, of the same gauge, for ground?

 

[El_Doug]

Quote:

Originally Posted by goffer /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm looking into making some cables now that I have been practicing with cat5e cable.... though I am wondering is it ok to use expensive copper for the signal and cheaper copper, of the same gauge, for ground?

it would work just fine - though it does beg the question, why?

 

[goffer]

To save money... if I'm using copper that's $5/foot and am making a 6' headphone cable it would make it around $70 as opposed to $120, leaving $50 for beer and other necessities.

 

[FraGGleR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by goffer /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm looking into making some cables now that I have been practicing with cat5e cable.... though I am wondering is it ok to use expensive copper for the signal and cheaper copper, of the same gauge, for ground?

It has been recommended to me to match the signals and the returns, but many people don't and haven't heard any adverse reactions. In fact, there are quite a few who don't think the materials used will impact the sound period. Then there are those who think deep freezing a cable will make it sound better. I don't believe anything either way, but I will say that my ears and equipment aren't good enough to tell the difference. I now select materials based on aesthetics and ergonomics and am quite happy. Do you like the sound of the Cat5? Do you feel like you are missing something? Make a "nice" cable all the way and decide if it is worth the added cost for more expensive stuff.

 

[FraGGleR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by goffer /img/forum/go_quote.gif To save money... if I'm using copper that's $5/foot and am making a 6' headphone cable it would make it around $70 as opposed to $120, leaving $50 for beer and other necessities.

Just as a heads up, there is high grade copper available at half the cost at Doublehelixcables.com. It is pure OCC stranded copper that has been cryo treated. I have made quite a few cables with it and have found it nice to work with. Even more beer money saved