How to make an interconnect Step by Step With Pics

[pingles]

Unfortunately true

I only needed the single interconnect to go from my CD player to my PPA, I have a RCA-Mini that I got JMT to make at the same time, plus its only from an iPod so an amazing IC isn't really necessary.

7 connectors does make it an expensive proposition though

 

[scottder]

Quote:

Originally posted by ProFingerSk8er thanks for the quick reply pingles, the project im currently thinking requires about 7 RCA plugs, and those Silver Midline Locking Barrel RCA looks just plan awsome.. but that's over $50 on plugs alone o well...i guess you get what you pay for x_X

One of these days I need to build cables for my SACD player hooked into my home theater

Scott

 

[sleepkyng]

from an ipod, does the interconnect going to the amp make that big of a difference?

especially fora guy on a budget?

 

[brschmid]

Quote:

Originally posted by sleepkyng from an ipod, does the interconnect going to the amp make that big of a difference? especially fora guy on a budget?

I noticed a difference from my zen to my amp when i switched from my crappy radio-shack cable to my own.



Quote:

the project im currently thinking requires about 7 RCA plugs, and those Silver Midline Locking Barrel RCA looks just plan awsome..

get the HGA branded rhodium plugs, they are awesome quality. and the connection is really tight.

 

[sleepkyng]

8 bucks for a good mini to mini
that's a good investment?

 

[brschmid]

Quote:

Originally posted by sleepkyng 8 bucks for a good mini to mini that's a good investment?

yes. if you make your own. You can build the same quality stuff that companies sell for 5 times the price. Many companies for example sells cables you can buy for 100.00 or build the same thing for 20-30 bucks.

go for it.

 

[A3rd.Zero]

recently I made a RCA to RCA interconnect with two conducter twisted 16ga. wire, and I got a large ammount of hum from the interconnect. In the past I have made cables with two conducter twisted sheilded cable and soldered the sheild to ground on one side. In the later setup I got no hum. So whats the deal, am i really getting all that hum by not having a braided/foiled sheild? I thought that twisting a signal with ground wire also sheilded the signal, but it must be less so.

thoughts?

Milo

 

[itza2mer]

Quote:

Originally posted by A3rd.Zero So whats the deal, am i really getting all that hum by not having a braided/foiled sheild? I thought that twisting a signal with ground wire also sheilded the signal, but it must be less so. thoughts? Milo

Using braided shielding is a good idea, but your hum may not be caused by a lack of shielding. I recently ran into a problem that created a hum. I used shielded Canare Starquad to build a mini to RCA cable, and I had a really nasty hum. Turned out the 3.5 mm mini plug was defective.

 

[A3rd.Zero]

well I was using pretty cheep RCA's that I havent used before and I actually had to isolate some sections using JBWELD (which is non conductive by the way). But im comfortable with my solder joints, even though I had to shave some of them down with a knife.


milo

I dont know whatever!

 

[itza2mer]

Quote:

Originally posted by A3rd.Zero well I was using pretty cheep RCA's that I havent used before and I actually had to isolate some sections using JBWELD (which is non conductive by the way). But im comfortable with my solder joints, even though I had to shave some of them down with a knife. milo I dont know whatever!

Zu Cable uses JBWeld on their plugs to hold things in place. I replaced a bad plug on my Pivot, and spotted the JB Weld. They used a Canare 3.5 mm plug, snipped off part of the cable clamp, JB Welded it in place, and replaced the Canare handle with a shorter brushed alumnium handle. If I'm satisfied with a cable I've built, I'll use Devcon Plastic Welder to help hold things in place.

 

[superjohnny]

Ok guys, I was skeptical at first, but I can clearly tell the difference between this and my RS interconnect. I'm made an interconnect for my sound card to amp using the purple Canare star quad cable & Canare F-12 connectors. My first reaction was "oh ****"... it's that good. I ordered from Markertek and they shipped very quickly.

This is a great project, thank you brschmid!

 

[brschmid]

whoops double post, see next

 

[brschmid]

Quote:

Originally posted by superjohnny Ok guys, I was skeptical at first, but I can clearly tell the difference between this and my RS interconnect. I'm made an interconnect for my sound card to amp using the purple Canare star quad cable & Canare F-12 connectors. My first reaction was "oh ****"... it's that good. I ordered from Markertek and they shipped very quickly. This is a great project, thank you brschmid!

you are welcome!

Is the guide easy to follow, or do i need to perform some editing?

 

[JeffL]

I am in definite need of some decent interconnects...some short mini-minis, mini-rcas, etc.

Would using Cat5e be all that good? I have tons of the stuff lying around and no need for it really. Otherwise, I will spring for some Star Quad I guess. The only issue I see with Cat5e would be shielding, or a lack thereof.

Addon: From the looks of things, it would seem that the plugs cost way more than the cable. I wonder if any of these places do bulk discounts on say, 10 or more plugs? I definetly like to keep extra around...OTOH, I know someone who I will ask who runs his own theatre company..maybe I can get a deal on some plugs from him. We'll see...

 

[brschmid]

Quote:

Originally posted by JeffL I am in definite need of some decent interconnects...some short mini-minis, mini-rcas, etc. Would using Cat5e be all that good? I have tons of the stuff lying around and no need for it really. Otherwise, I will spring for some Star Quad I guess. The only issue I see with Cat5e would be shielding, or a lack thereof. Addon: From the looks of things, it would seem that the plugs cost way more than the cable. I wonder if any of these places do bulk discounts on say, 10 or more plugs? I definetly like to keep extra around...OTOH, I know someone who I will ask who runs his own theatre company..maybe I can get a deal on some plugs from him. We'll see...

Cat5e is good, but yes, shielding is the problem.
Star quad is like 0.30/ft.
and your right, connectors are the expensive part.