[slag]

Hey guys,

Just wondering where (if?) in the US I can pick up some audio cable from a local store. I'm guessing RatShack would have some. Is that probably my best local option?

I'm interested in making my own mini-mini cable for connecting my iRiver H320 to my portable amp. I don't want to order online because I need it by Saturday. (Or is it still possible to order some tonight and receive it that quick without paying insane shipping rates?)

 

[krmathis]

It would help if you posted your location, since Head-Fi is an international community.

 

[slag]

Sorry about that. I'm in the US.

 

[Chu]

Without getting into a debate about MONSTER, expensive cables, etc . . .

The local Radio Shacks here (Chicago) have gone MONSTER only, and have had a firesale on their Gold series of cables (99.x% OFC, gold plated terminators). For your standard RCA pair I've seen it as cheap as $3/6ft. Also the old Monster 200/400 series are deeply discounted ($10/6~10ft.) since they're moving over to their new THX line which has the most annoying terminators I have ever seen on a cable.

As for bare wire, if you're desperate there is always the two conductor shielded stuff from Home Depot.

 

[Publius]

Yeah, RS Gold has always been good quality and inexpensive for me.

 

[Chipp]

Look for somewhere like an Office Depot or Lowes where you could buy bulk Cat5e cable. Braided Cat5 is a great budget cable, if you've got some time to braid it up nicely. I use Cat5e over normal Cat5 because it has extra wires, so you need to buy less cable.

RatShack would have the terminals.

 

[slag]

Wait... so I can use Cat5 cable to make an audio line?

 

[Chipp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by slag /img/forum/go_quote.gif Wait... so I can use Cat5 cable to make an audio line?

You sure can. I prefer to buy bulk Cat5e, as you'll only be cutting off the RJ45 connectors and sleeving anyways.

My personal favorite design is to use 3 of the cables, braided, per channel, and then braiding the two channels.

For more clarification:
This for each channel (3 cables per channel, braided). Then, braid each channel together (so for a mini-mini, you'd have 3 channels, left, right, and ground).

 

[slag]

Nice guide.

I was hoping for just some plain cable, but I have plenty of excess Cat5e. I just may give this a go.

 

[tbonner1]

Braided Cat 5 is a good cable.

Look at Audio Asylum for reviews of the 13 gauge Home Depot power cable for use as a speaker cable. I have tried it and it is not bad.