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#1727401 - 11/01/09 07:48 AM

What are you using for your DIY RCAs?

sqcomp
SD Roadrunner (Sanus Domanus Ultra-Sonicus Ad Infinitum)

Registered: 07/03/99
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I was comparing the costs between the out of the box Streetwires ZN9 RCAs...

...and then thinking that I have some silver solder, a gun and a clip station...

I was wondering what you were using for wire for your hand-made RCAs?

I noticed a friend from another board using Canare Star Quad multi conductor (8) wire. I've been looking at Belkin as well. For the connectors I've been looking at Neutrik and Cardas offerings. The WBT and Eichmann products are way too expensive to justify their use.

Thoughts?

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Who cares What I use?
Remember your five "P's"
Remember the KISS principle
NEVER forget about Mr. Murphy
-Be PATIENT!-
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#1727407 - 11/01/09 08:31 AM

Re: What are you using for your DIY RCAs? [Re: sqcomp]

keep_hope_alive
in another life, i'm a serial killer
SD I Power Bombed the Undertaker

Registered: 04/24/07
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i've discussed the benefit of RCA conductors and materials with a lot of professionals, both on the audio side and on the electrical engineering and physics side. what i find funny is that the people who actually understand the science behind signal flow think it's hype. the people that sell the stuff will obviously tell you the difference. the main issue that i see is the terms people use to defend the benefits of exotic materials and manufacturing processes, those terms are typically not applicable at audio frequencies.

i think two things are the most important:

1. quality of connections. connections are the weakest link in the signal chain. keeping resistance low and connections secure so you don't have shorting, cutting out, pops, etc. this includes the actual solder points and the type of connector. you have to be careful to not compromise the insulation in the connector when soldering.

2. twisted copper wire of sufficient gauge. i do believe twisting is important.

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#1727408 - 11/01/09 08:38 AM

Re: What are you using for your DIY RCAs? [Re: keep_hope_alive]

keep_hope_alive
in another life, i'm a serial killer
SD I Power Bombed the Undertaker

Registered: 04/24/07
Posts: 13370
Loc: Quad Cities, IL

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this is what i use. i have a lot of Monster Cable ends and samples that i use. i bought my wire from Parts Express. i think you could just use good 16awg wire and manually twist it with a drill, put ends on it, wrap in tech flex, heat shrink ends, done. $\:\)$

Originally Posted By: keep_hope_alive

because i have a lot of Monster Cable samples (of every series up to M1000i) - so i just remove the ends and put them on wire i've custom made. I then buy spools of audio cable or what i have in inventory and make my own. here is an example of what i've been doing with RCA cables.

setup to make cables

bulk audio cable from Parts Express

with ends on

close up

this is some of my Monster Cable inventory - notice how the ends are stripped, we used these in the shop to show customers the differences of each wire. Every monster cable wire has different construction.

Monster M1000i, 950i, and Z1

each conductor is a set of different sized conductors for their (time coherent) wiring

Monster 800i, 850i

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#1729835 - 11/10/09 09:03 AM

Re: What are you using for your DIY RCAs? [Re: keep_hope_alive]

sqcomp
SD Roadrunner (Sanus Domanus Ultra-Sonicus Ad Infinitum)

Registered: 07/03/99
Posts: 3585
Loc: VBC Baghdad, Iraq

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You know...that's not a half bad idea.

I think I'll try that out! I'll grab some scrap wire from "the bin" every shop has...and see how a garage pair of RCA's sound!

I never wanted to keep it that simple. Why not? We'll see how that sounds all flexed, booted, and terminated!

Thanks for the inspiration. I'll report back with my sonic findings. I'll compare them with a pair of Streetwires ZN9, some of the Canare starquad wire, and just regular speaker wire...

I'll terminate the last two with some decent Neutrik terminals.

_________________________
Who cares What I use?
Remember your five "P's"
Remember the KISS principle
NEVER forget about Mr. Murphy
-Be PATIENT!-
This is why the car sounds great!

Top

#1730562 - 11/11/09 07:23 PM

Re: What are you using for your DIY RCAs? [Re: sqcomp]

keep_hope_alive
in another life, i'm a serial killer
SD I Power Bombed the Undertaker

Registered: 04/24/07
Posts: 13370
Loc: Quad Cities, IL

Offline

i'm pretty sure that is what Andy does (primary wire twisted and terminated), and he doesn't seem to have any problems.

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