What is a step up from Starquad?

[doobooloo]

Has anyone tried the Belden 1804A mini star quad using high-conductivity silver plated copper alloy wire and polypropylene insulation?

They're about $1 per foot, and the smallest batch I've seen is 100ft at Newark, I believe.

They look pretty promising - lower capacitance IIRC, high quality dielectrics and probably a step up in detail compared to Canare starquad from the silver plated wire.

Anyone want to try this wire with me?

I'll buy the 100 ft roll and split it if anyone wants to give this a go.

 

[Emon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garbz Averageing over a few tests trying my long interconnects there was only ~1dB difference on average in crosstalk between 2x RCAs, and Starquad with DIN connectors carrying both signals in the single cable over a 2-3m cable.

I'll take your word for it. I was mainly trying to point out the design flaw, however, even if it's not that significant. Just keep it in mind.

 

[Emon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voodoochile I think that the first benefit in making an IC is getting away from the trashy plugs and getting into something more substantial. The cable itself is also important, but ditching the craptacular plug is paramount.

Before sending our young friend off on some ridiculously expensive journey for audiophile boutique parts, perhaps you could explain WHY plugs are so important? Explain why a small contact area has any significant effect on the low frequency signals used in audio? How about some evidence? And listening tests do NOT count as evidence. Something that follows the scientific method. How about an article from a peer-reviewed scientific journal?

 

[skyskraper]

mechanical performance

cheap in box cables ive found failed all the time, i put some decent connectors (don't worry, not solid silver ones) onto some cables and theyve yet to fail me. of course this is only with crappy rca cables. i hate rca's.

 

[dhp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emon Before sending our young friend off on some ridiculously expensive journey for audiophile boutique parts, perhaps you could explain WHY plugs are so important? Explain why a small contact area has any significant effect on the low frequency signals used in audio? How about some evidence? And listening tests do NOT count as evidence. Something that follows the scientific method. How about an article from a peer-reviewed scientific journal?

If you're looking for scientific proof as the only way to prove sonic changes, you may want to head over to the Physics department

 

[ATAT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emon Before sending our young friend off on some ridiculously expensive journey for audiophile boutique parts, perhaps you could explain WHY plugs are so important? Explain why a small contact area has any significant effect on the low frequency signals used in audio? How about some evidence? And listening tests do NOT count as evidence. Something that follows the scientific method. How about an article from a peer-reviewed scientific journal?

Or,
Before sending our young friend off on some ridiculous track about measuring differences in audiophile botique parts, perhaps you coule explain WHY you're threadjacking and turning every cable thread into a DBT-thread? Explain why you have the necessity to shoot down DIYers who have a simple question? How about some responses to the OP? And subjective tests DO count as evidence. Something that actually applies to what we're discussing, ie human ear. What about the opinions of a fair amount of head-fiers?

Now, I personally think star-quad and cardas cable probably wont change the sound, but if you want what would be "better" audiophile wise (ie what people say they hear.. ) I guess litz braided silver cable would work..

Sighs. sorry for the rant.

 

[elrod-tom]

In the cables/tweaks forum, we have a rule that there be no discussion of DBT. This is mostly because threads where it comes up tend to turn into pointless circular arguments...like this one, for example.

Before I have to come back here and lock this thread (and perhaps exact some frontier justice on anyone viewed as crapping on the thread who has now been given fair warning), let's keep this on target, please.

The poster wants info on better quality cable for DIY use. Any suggestions about what he ought to investigate would be welcome and interesting. Any suggestions about how he's wasting his money would not.

 

[Voodoochile]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emon Before sending our young friend off on some ridiculously expensive journey for audiophile boutique parts, perhaps you could explain WHY plugs are so important? Explain why a small contact area has any significant effect on the low frequency signals used in audio? How about some evidence? And listening tests do NOT count as evidence. Something that follows the scientific method. How about an article from a peer-reviewed scientific journal?

I'm not talking about sending anyone off on a boutique parts hunt at all. Quite the opposite, in fact. I'm not saying you need to spend big bucks on WBT or Eichmann, for example. I like (also for example) Canare F-9 plugs, which are less than $2 a pop. $8 for four plugs and $2 for some starquad is $10 for an interconnect that is inherently more reliable, certainly from a mechanical perspective, than any cheap junk that comes with most gear.

Whether it sounds better, as always, is completely subjective.

The original poster has asked what is a step up from Starquad. While the question might be a bit vague (as in, with regard to what specifically), from the electrical perspective, Mogami's version of "Starquad" has lower capacitance per foot, and is therefore considered to be a better microphone cable.

 

[MASantos]

Maybe this:

6X 22-26AG SPC litz braid( 3 for ground and 3 for signal), shielded with aluminium foil(yes, the kitchen one) and finally some techflex to hold everything together and some sort of qulity rca's such as neutrick profi, cardas grmo, etc.The aluminium foil should be connected to ground on one side only and this side should be used in the source side of the IC all the time.

I build some starquad cables before, to replace my el cheapo 1000AG stock cables and they were much better than the stock ones. The new braided ones also improved the sound, but not as much as the first upgrade.

Also don't forgetr: The quality of the cable should be the equal to the rest of your equipment and the difference it makes is very subtle most of the times!

 

[bhjazz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emon And listening tests do NOT count as evidence.

The sound is all that matters.

 

[Emon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieInAFire If you're looking for scientific proof as the only way to prove sonic changes, you may want to head over to the Physics department

I'm not looking for scientific proof as no such thing exists. Science isn't about proof, it never has been. Everything in science is theoretical.

Quote:

Originally Posted by voodoochile I like (also for example) Canare F-9 plugs, which are less than $2 a pop. $8 for four plugs and $2 for some starquad is $10 for an interconnect that is inherently more reliable, certainly from a mechanical perspective, than any cheap junk that comes with most gear.

Ah, my apologies, I came off too strong. Yes, if for none other than a mechanical standpoint, Canare plugs are better. I for one like their spring strain reliefs. I've yet to figure out why so many other expensive or "hi-end" plugs lack any decent strain relief.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATAT Before sending our young friend off on some ridiculous track about measuring differences in audiophile botique parts, perhaps you coule explain WHY you're threadjacking and turning every cable thread into a DBT-thread? Explain why you have the necessity to shoot down DIYers who have a simple question? How about some responses to the OP? And subjective tests DO count as evidence.

Threadjacking? I don't mean to, it's not my aim to turn this into a DBT discussion thread, nor do I think I have. What I am trying to point out is the complete lack of any evidence supporting ridiculous cable investments, other than subjective listening tests, which are inherently flawed. What I'm trying to do, perhaps poorly however, is bring light to the possibility that the OP maybe shouldn't even bother, or at least let him decide for himself before going and spending a crapload of money on expensive cable.

Consider something we can all agree is ridiculous - those expensive $450 wooden knobs. If someone just "asked a simple question" about which expensive knob to buy to improve sound quality, would you "just answer" his question or try to convince him that there is obviously no reason to spend his money? Because to me, there's obviously no reason to spend money on cables for short audio runs (several feet in a home system) outside of a good star quad or twisted pair design from the likes of Canare, Belden, etc.