Cable Building

I have been using the Sommercable Cab and the manufacturer recommends white/red wire to pin and shield to shell. I wonder if there is a measurable difference between these various methods.

 

I have no idea. Wait, red and white to pins, for an RCA cable, there is just one "pin"? The shell is the ground, unless you are talking about some other type connector. Or perhaps you are using two conductors to hot center and shield to shell.

With a standard analog RCA I just use two conductor cable, one to hot and one to ground with shield also connected to ground. It probably makes a sonic difference one way or the other, but nothing like room treatments or a better sounding amp.

I'll spend more time on the latter.

 

Yes. I am talking about using the 3 conductor cable with the RCA connectors. Had too make RCA-XLR cables also, but that was another story. Yes, these difference are minute compared to the amps, speakers, ect, IF there is any.

 

Interesting. I always thought the drain went on the other end, but this makes sense. I have a few cables to rotate.

 

This should work fine. What youa re trying to avoid is two wires, or a wire and shield, both connected to ground. That might cause a ground loop.

 

Now you are going to have to train those electrons to go the wrong way for a month.

A wire and shield both connected to ground at both ends will not cause a ground loop.

 

isn't it possible if the shield and the wire have different impedance, there is potential for the two to act as a voltage divider, thus resulting in interference?

 

I don't think so.

Some designs even use more legs to the ground to lower impedance more than the hot.
A Speaker a wire I use in my TV audio setup for example uses a number of totally different gauges of wire for each leg to take advantage of the characteristic of each. And they would have slightly different impedance, but together it just does not matter. Total impedance is fine for this speaker cable. And with an analog interconnect it may matter even less, given the low to high impedance load of the downstream component.

EDIT: I think it does matter that impedance of hot and ground should remain same if you are talking about a balanced design but the OP was not.

 

I enjoy clever marketing in this name.

 

I would like to terminate the HE1000 v2 short cable with 2.55 for A&K player. With four conductors it would be no problem but the v2 cables are six wires cables. Can anyone advice how do I map those six wires to a four pool balanced plug?
I can just cut the cable and find out, but I still have not decided if I want to do that or just buy a new cable.

 

Hadn't built a new cable for myself in awhile and was inspired by the ZMF loaners on hand:

First time using these grommets: http://www.norneaudio.com/litzheim/Eidolic-diy-accessory-grommet-strain-relief-30-pack-diy
Serendipitously, they fit my connectors just right. Really nice alternative to heatshrink which I hate to use. Wire is also from Norne: http://www.norneaudio.com/litzheim/...em-iem-full-size-aftermarket-up-7-n-6-upgrade 1/4" plug is from Oyaide and the mini xlrs are Amphenol with metal bottoms from some Aliexpress specials. Was going to do an 8 wire braid, but remembered how much I hate terminating them and decided to practice some self-love and stick with a 4 wire.

 

Yes, I checked and, on each side, one wire is connected to the tip, two to the ground. So it should work the way you described. How is it better than just four wires two on each side I have no idea.

 

Some people (at least regarding interconnects and power cables) claim that two ground wires and a single signal wire sounds better. The only one I can think of right now is Anti-Cables (on their most expensive cables, they add a second ground conductor), but I know I've seen it several times.

I've been thinking of making a six-conductor headphone cable, which would have me using 4 of the 6 wires as returns and only 2 as signal, but that's mostly because I think 6 is the maximum number of wires I can braid without things getting ridiculous.

 

not sure if the is a right thread to ask for opinion about cable builders but I found https://www.ebay.ca/usr/skyaudiocables?_trksid=p2047675.l2559,
They are in the UK, have 1.5k of good reviews, their email responses make sense and the prices are low. Anyone used them or heard anything about their reputation?

 

Considering how long it takes to individually sleeve wires and finish a cable nicely, the prices aren't terrible. As long as you understand that outside of the Neutrik XLR and possibly the 1/4" plug, they are using inexpensive Aliexpress stuff, it is up to you what your money is worth. Not a lot of stranding in the wires used and a very tight braid, so could be a little stiff. Personally, if I were budget minded, I'd find a maker who uses Mogami or Canare wire with Neutrik, Switchcraft, or Amphenol connectors. Some of the Aliexpress connectors are fine, but you never know what you are actually getting with the wire (Acrolink doesn't make either of those wires as far as I can tell from their website).

 

Naaah, no such thing as ridiculous number of braids in cables

 

6?
Try 25

 

Only $8,750.00 for 4.5ft! Buy now while supplies last! This limited time offer could expire at any moment!

 

It's actually a pretty easy braid - though I'd consider it more a weave. Easier than the standard 8 wire braid you see most places. Takes gobs of wire and is a pain to terminate nicely, though.

Edit: Kind of want to make one now but not enough wire on hand.

Second edit: I lied, it is a simple weave but a pain in the ass to hold the wires. Most of the $8K is probably the weaving time if they don't use some sort of automated loom.