[Freazy]

Quote:

Where can I find the cheapest complete aftermarket cable with 4-pin-XLR (i.e. no TRS) to my LCD-2s? Thanks for any advice.

I think Q-audio is your best bet -> http://www.q-audio.com

 

[Steve Eddy]

 
Seems to me that the cheapest way to go would to simply re-termiante the stock cable with a 4 pin XLR.
 
se
 
 

 

[Loevhagen]

That's a (good) plan. I haven't found how to terminate the 4-pin XLR, just 2 ea 3-pin XLRs. 
 
Sad to admit it, but me + soldering =
 

 

[Thenarus]

Steve, just received my 2m LCD-2 Q cable.  I actually laughed out loud when I first listened to one of my reference tracks with it; I really didn't expect so much additional fine detail to be immediately apparent over the stock cable...but it was.  Fine job, and worth every penny; thanks again.
 
Only one niggle: my left and right terminals aren't labelled at all.  Is this standard practice?  I used a red pen to tint the text on the right side, so I'm all good now, but I'd like to know if I'm missing something, or if this might help as feedback.
 
EDIT:  And no sooner than one minute after posting this, I noticed the subtle brown thread through the cabling to the right side.  Live and learn!

 

[Loevhagen]

Look for the thin brown thread for the right channel on the Q.

 

[HK_sends]

So, lesson learned:  Don't order a brown cable...or you're out of luck!

 
Yeah, the thread is subtle.  I had to ask Steve to make sure.

 
-HK sends

 

[Loevhagen]

"You're an audiophile, if you can detect that the R and L channels are reversed".

 

[Steve Eddy]

Quote:

That's a (good) plan. I haven't found how to terminate the 4-pin XLR, just 2 ea 3-pin XLRs. 
 
Sad to admit it, but me + soldering =
 

HA!
 
For 4 pin XLR's, pin 1 is left positive, pin 2 is left negative, pin 3 is right positive and pin 4 is right negative.
 
On the mini-XLR's for the LCD-2's, pins 1 and 4 are positive and pins 2 and 3 are negative. You can use this to determine which wires are which at the other end of the cable.
 
As for your archery, er, I mean soldering skills, I'm sure there must be a fellow HeadFier in your neck of the woods who could help you out with that, no?
 
Good luck!
 
se
 
 
 

 

[Steve Eddy]

Thank you for the kind words, Thenarus.
 
 
Quote:

EDIT:  And no sooner than one minute after posting this, I noticed the subtle brown thread through the cabling to the right side.  Live and learn!

Don't feel so bad. I had an encounter with some subtle brown stuff myself this morning. Only it wasn't thread. We're housebreaking a new puppy. Eeeewwwwww!
 
se
 
 
 

 

[scootermafia]

I have a way to combat this.  Put on Iron Man by Black Sabbath.  If you hear the tapping sound in your right ear at the very start of the song, the cables are set up correctly.  If not, reverse 'em.  Steve's thread color thing is cool, he and iPodPJ do NOT like red heatshrink, which I'm guilty of.  

 

[Stevtt]

Whoa, Iron Man. Forgot just how much I like that song
 
I actually hooked up the set of Double helix I've had sitting around for three weeks.
 
Nice

 

[chirawatf]

Quote:

 
Seems to me that the cheapest way to go would to simply re-termiante the stock cable with a 4 pin XLR.
 
se
 
 

My LCD2 rev.2's stock cable was replaced by furuteck gold 6.3mm jack (stock mini XLR at another end), still can't compete with Q-audio cable.
 
 

 

[olor1n]

I've gone the cheapskate route and commissioned a Head-Fi DIYer to make a balanced cable for me. Going with the thinner Mogami mini quad. I hope I haven't compromised too much.

 

[Br777]

Quote:

Some folks might find this link has some interesting information:  http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm
 

 
upon second thought, i am just going to withdrawl this comment..it was sily and i would appreciate it if you withdrawl your quotes..

 

[WarriorAnt]

Quote:

 
whenever i start getting the cable upgrade itch, i read articles like this, and once again feel rest assured that I made the right choice in DIY ing my own cable for less than $20, which in my humble opinion is more functional and stylish than many flashy name branders currently on the market anyway
 
in my opinion aftermarket cables are great, as long as you don't have expectations of anything but the most minute sound quality increases, and know that its quite possible and even likely, that any improvements are either not actually b/c of the cable "sounding better" , or that they are simply all in your head.
 
as a caveat  i am not actually convinced one way or the other that cables make a difference or dont, but AM convinced that IF they do make a difference, its clearly in the majority that the differences are questionable at best and therefore simply not worth the price / effort or time involved in making the distinction.
 
"rant" over... carry on...
 

What aftermarket cables have you tried?