Cable Building

Thanks for the friendly reminder that this is the Cable Building thread, and not the Masturbatory Nervosa Cable thread. I'll try and stick to the facts going forward

I'm pretty sure wherever I read that about one of the polarities having a larger gauge for whatever reason was describing one of those majik cables, so let's not even go there. But from an objective fact-based POV, I realized that the difference between having wires of both metals for both polarities, and having different metals for the +/- signals, is that the signal has a parallel path in the former, and series path in the latter. I can see this possibly making a difference. I asked @deafdoorknob who is recently cured from his IEM cable fetish, and he said he tends to see people using Au for negative, and showed me this PW Audio cable that uses Cu for + and Ag for -. I'm still searching for the rationale behind this.

...

The Eidolic would have ended up being stupid expensive shipped directly and I cbf'd to go through a forwarder for 1 tiny item. So I ended up ordering this one at a little over $30 from OC Studio here in Taiwan, which probably has a similar internal design (convex shape with no edges) to the Acrolink FP-4457 which came up most often in my searches, but the OC Studio one is supposed to be 100% Made in Taiwan. I also found the first AEC one while searching, and sent an inquiry to see if I could purchase some samples. They really are an OEM outfit, so #1 I feel a bit bad taking up their time, and #2 if we were to put together a group buy it would really be just peanuts for them. I got a drawing back (attached) and am waiting to hear about the samples. If they will sell me a few, I would keep one and send the others out for evaluation. Would there be enough interest to put in an order for 15 or 20?

Somehow this is so apt.

 

One more question. The temporary cable I built seems to be picking up interference from my phone, which I'm using as a USB source. Could this be because it's not braided? The braids in my other cables aren't in specific "twisted pairs", and I didn't think the braid had any noise rejection functionality, and only served an aesthetic purpose.

 

Braiding would offer some minor (very minor) protection from EXTERNAL interference (stray EMI from other voltage carrying wires, electronic devices, etc). If you are using your phone's analog out, then it could be your phone's output stage is picking up noise from the electronics in the phone.

 

Yeah, I thought the braiding would provide minor rejection if any. Phone is USB OTG out to micro iDSD as a DDC > MB > MCTH. Only happens when the phone and USB cable are close to the headphone cable.

 

I was afraid to even mention USB because that is completely out of my knowledge zone.

 

you might try turning phone to airplane mode to see if the rfi source is the cellular radio or Bluetooth.

Most likely not the wires coming from the phone, but some al foil on them would rule them out.

 

Sorry to derail, one last post on the subject. The interference sounds a bit different with radios off, but it's still there. I'm testing the rather stiff temporary silver cable so it's difficult to route it away from the USB cable. I don't notice it with the much more supple copper cable I usually use. Anyway, I'll figure out a way to keep them farther apart after the cable reaches production stage.

 

AEC got back to me and will sell me 3 samples for $12 each. A more detailed mechanical drawing is attached, showing the solder-tubes on these samples. Here's a screen cap.

The plug is "straight", but has the solder-tubes of this one with separate rings. I called for clarification, and they forgot to update the photo with the split pads on their website. They said that design has a patent, so they aren't able to make it.

If anyone is interested in samples, I'll order 3 and send 2 out. If nobody else is interested, I'll order 2 and keep them to play around with. Please let me know a.s.a.p. if you're interested.

Edit: AEC have updated the product photo.
https://www.aecconnectors.com.tw/en/2-678-13334/product/AUDIO-PLUG-AP4-4-550-id226505.html

 

The link to the photo of the patented version with split pads still works (for now), but I'll upload it here for posterity and future reference.

 

Unfortunately, I can't take credit for the construction of this project, a very talented buddy of mine did the solder work and braiding, but it turned out so great and I have been so impressed by it that I have to show it off.

Was looking to get some silver in my cable for my new Verite, and ended up getting some fantastic 22awg litz OCC copper/silver hybrid from Norne (not technically something they are selling for DIY, but after a lot of back and forth they hooked me up). Went with Furutech connectors. Zach from ZMF hooked me up with a couple of splitter options for the project, ended up going with a generic carbon-fiber splitter as it matched quite well.

Ended up being a stunning match sonically and aesthetically for the Verite. The silver was sorely needed to give the Verite a bit more air/definition/immediacy especially when using universe pads. The copper/silver hybrid from a distance ends up looking to be the exact same color as the rose gold grills of the cans. Just incredibly happy with how it all came together.

 

I know this is fiddling around the edges, but I can't stand the Furutech XLR cable boot. It'd take re-soldering the XLR, but any normal Neutrik style cable boot will thread onto the Furutech XLR housing, just FYI.

 

Pretty wire! I got my hands on what I think is the same wire when I bought a spool of wire from Trevor, but covered it up with some sleeving because I like electric blue.
Just for my own edification, is that a Capsid splitter from DHC?

 

It has grown on me, especially as this is a pretty long cable and my amp is on a rack next to my desk. In the past (I have been on the furutech train for a while) I just went no boot. Good to know about the neutrik style working though for future projects!

I actually have no idea, Zach threw it my way along with a ZMF purple anodized splitter. Ended up working great!

 

I tried to get some silver wire from Trevor as he said he might have some left over from a custom order, but he hasn't responded in months. Hadn't thought to ask about actual Ag/Cu hybrid wire, even though that was what I was actually curious about. Glad he was able to hook you up.

After testing the temporary Ag-only cable, and adding Cu strands to first the +, and then both polarities, I'm now making a Cu/Ag hybrid cable and will report back when it's done. If you've seen my latest status update, you'll already know I'm terminating it with the 4.4mm plug mentioned above so I can try it with the balanced output of my ZX300. I have a nice Brise Audio adapter so I'll be able to use it with my desktop amps. Braiding is going to be a bitch though, as I have 4 strands of Norne Cu wire and 4 double-strands of the Deulund single-core Ag wire. Figured this would be easier than attempting a 12-strand braid.

http://www.paracordguild.com/12-strand-gaucho-braid-tutorial/

I have three 4.4mm plugs incoming from AES, but after my traumatic experience last night I don't think I'll be making any more cables with Pentacuntal termination. I'll post some pics when I get them and put them up for adoption by masochistic cable DIYers.

 

Different flavor, silver on the (relatively) cheap: Furu connectors with GD-Parts 8x26ga silver of questionable provenance and purity. Nice quick and easy build. Beer pairing 100% intentional.

 

Ah yes, The Official Beer of Being Done Wearing a Bra. I hope you're listening comfortably

 

I haven't watched hardly any N. American ads in the past 20 yrs. Had to Google that.





We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

 

Source linky? Looks like multi-strand. Searched but could only find the Neotech stuff (which is not cheap).
http://www.soniccraft.com/product_info.php/neotech-stranded-aggd-in-pe-26ga-p-4988

Edit: this?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GD-PARTGS-...udio-Earphone-Headphone-Cablex5M/323803985650

 

That’s it!

 

Like sex in a canoe.