Cable Building

RE: KLE Copper Harmony - Yep, the description reads like audiophool porn. But it was $40 per set of 4. Neutrik Profi (which is what I was planning on getting) would have actually been slightly more expensive with shipping than the KLE Copper Harmony, so I opted for those.

On the longer cables (DAC->Preamp), I tried something different. No Techflex braided sleeves because I would get pissed if it snagged, and I did the heatshrink inside instead of out. I think I like that look better.

All that said, the sound is very clean. No complaints. Probably better than the Blue Jeans and Straightwire. More expensive than the former, cheaper than the latter.

 

I want to build 3 pin XLR interconnects. What are some good connectors besides Neutrik? I'll probably use Mogami cable

Thanks @ohhgourami. As I suspected those are all prohibitively expensive. I guess I'll just stick with Neutrik for now.

Actually, found some Vampire connectors that aren't too expensive

 

Xhadow XLR (probably best)
Neotech
Abbatron
Eizz
Furutech
Cardas

 

The OD of Canare L-4E6S is 0.236". Using the paracord planet comparison chart, the only two I see that would work are the 1/4 Shock Cord and Para-Max Cord. Would these work? Am I totally off? If so I apologize.

https://www.paracordplanet.com/cord-comparison-chart/

 

You're welcome. Actually the Abbatron connectors aren't too costly: http://www.analysis-plus.com/product/home-audio/connectors/abbatron-xlr/
I also advise against dumping money into connectors until the system is high end.

I hope someone else can chime in about paracord. I absolutely despise that stuff.

 

I wasn't really aware of those connectors, so thank for pointing them out.

As for paracord, past a certain wire size, I definitely avoid it. I'll either go bare or use some sort of techflex. Honestly, I've only done a few builds with it. I find it's occasionally worthwhile on headphone cables to reduce microphonics, and I've used it on speaker cables I've made that were going to be at least somewhat visible. Past that, I don't really see any point.

 

I found out about them a few days ago too. Finding better solutions to brass or bronze used in all the Neutrik connectors.

 

I really like the Amphenol XLRs, despite not looking nor feeling impressive whatsoever. I also like the SwitchCraft and Neutrik too. High copper brass with silver plate just works for these connections. Actually, the hollow pin SwitchCraft RCA plugs are pretty damn close to the WBT plugs, provided things are done right. But on 3-pin XLR-type connects, the big brands do a really good job, and the price is amazing for the sound quality you get. I've tried a few and generally believe now you can spend $5 on a good Ampenol or $100 on some machined kit that sounds no better but will raise the price of the cable several hundred bucks or more and get only foo-foo dust and status among audiophools.

 

The Para-Max is pretty nice, and thicker than techflex/other brand's nylon multifilament, but you still have to tug the fibers out and its thickness doesn't actually do you any favors. After the thin sizes, just go with nylon multifilament. The price might even be less than the Para-Max, I can't remember, and it's definitely easier to work with. There is a lot of economical creative re-use available for sleeving under 1/4", but above it you're pretty much stuck with Tech-flex and similar products unless you want to pay extra. https://www.wirecare.com/category/braided-sleeving/specialty/nylon-multifilament

 

Thank you, those are relatively cheap. I must have missed them when I was looking earlier. I'm mainly interested in affordable options out there. Not really interested in spending hundreds of dollars on connectors.

Since I plan on using the Canare L-4E6S, I can just use the cable without sleeving. Was considering paracord for practice, since interconnects seem relatively simple, and for aesthetics.

Thanks for the suggestion.

I'd completely forgotten about several feet of Eidolic sleeve Norne sent with the DIY cable. Since I have it I'll give it a try.

http://www.norneaudio.com/litzheim/...o-cable-headphone-xlr-rca-interconnect-ic-diy

 

Looks like rebranded Amphenol. Construction is identical.

 

Amphenol uses bronze/brass contacts instead of copper though.

 

Wut? Those are high in copper content. And the Amphenols I've used have silver plated contacts, because the driving factor of audio-band connections is basically contact conductance. If you meant "instead of pure copper", those Albatross connector contacts aren't pure either, being "trillium alloy copper". Is that really any different? For the price of 15 bucks vs 4 bucks, it would be easy to try both. 10:1 odds you don't see, feel, or hear a diff, though.

 

Yes, but I wouldn't call it a rebrand.

 

Big difference with TelCu is that it's 99.9% copper. Brass is lower than that. If anything, Abbatron uses Neutrik's design. Really not the same.

 

I think it's something like 99.5% vs 99%. But you're right.... staring at the pic closer, it does look more Neutrik than Amphenol doesn't it. Furutech has their low cost version of it as well - FP-701, FP-702 with eutectic cast copper center pins treated with their "alpha" process. Anyways, it's good to see other low cost XLR connectors that have a shot at sounding good. There seem to be fewer low cost RCA options.

 

Just a head's up, you can get the Abbatron XLRs for basically Neutrik prices from Allied Electronics:

http://www.alliedelec.com/g-h-industries-xlr3mbg06/70404311/
http://www.alliedelec.com/g-h-industries-xlr3fbg06/70404310/

Also, though I haven't used these myself, AEC is the OEM for a number of other brands and put out their own TeCu based RCA connectors for US distribution: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KUYAQZ4?m=AQGHSOTL8HITO&ref_=v_sp_widget_detail_page

 

I was just browsing the new stuff on AEC's website: http://www.aecconnectors.com.tw/style/Frame/m9/frame.asp?lang=2&customer_id=678&content_set=color_1

Talked to them last year at the NY show and they're cool people. We buy some not-fancy stuff from them and they've always been easy to work with. In case anyone is about to buy a lot of one thing.

 

I've got some of what look like the same exact AEC RCAs that I received from China. I've been too busy with work, but I plan on putting together a test of them soon. I've got the same wire available that I used with a recent build with KLE ends, and I've also got a set of the Neutrik Pro-fi I was planning to test. I'll see about taking the time to photograph each build and takes some notes. Before actually having built them, I can say that the AEC connectors seem to feel pretty cheaply built. I'll try to provide more detail once I've actually built at least one cable with them.

 

So I bought this cable a long time ago.




I am looking into reterminating the cable into 4 pin XLR.
When i open the connector, it seems like the interior of the cable is (2) strands of copper wire, 1 layer of shielding around the wire, and a cotton wrap around the whole ordeal..

Each one of those cable measures roughly 5mm in diameter.

I"m trying to keep the cable looking aesthetically similar as much possible.

Does anyone has prior experience with the Eidolic 4 pin xlr connector like the one listed here?



I'm thinking of just desolder the existing wire from the 3 pin connectors and reconnect to the 4 pin one listed above... but not sure if the back end of the connector will be able to fit (2) 5 mm diameter cables... (or maybe a bit of modification may be required?)