Are typical A/V cables 75 ohm?

[captain_tinker]

After reading several of the posts in this forum, I can see that cables is cables for the most part, as long as they are 75 ohm. I see that gold plated seem to be popular, mainly for the fact that they won't corrode over time. I also see that you could even use a coat hanger in a pinch! What I haven't seen, or maybe I have not really caught it, was if the typical A/V wires that come standard with most components are 75 ohm or not. Even if they are not, would they work temporarily for short distances, such as just between the DVD player and the receiver, which would only be about a foot apart? Would this be ok for a long term solution, or should I be searching for something a little bit better soon? I ask this because I have a bunch of A/V and composite cables, in approx 3 ft. lengths that I have collected over time. Some wires are thicker than others. I doubt that any are shielded, but I have no idea if they would be rated at 75 ohm. (heck, could I just go and find a cheap multi-meter and find out?)

-capT

 

[markw]

For the most part I'd say you're fine.

Video and digital likes 75 ohms and audio is happy with anything between 50 - 110 ohms generally and you'll please note that 75 ohms falls smack dab in the middle of that spec.

Economicaly, it doesn't make sense for cable makers to run two separate lines when 75 ohms is fine for everything.

I've used a stiff, yellow, ratty 30+ year old connector for a digital coax and it worked fine. I later changed it for a more modern "generic" interconnect" just 'cause it looked so scuzzy.

Anyhow, you've alrady got the cables. Give 'em a try. I think you'll be happy with the results.

And no, your VTVM won't tell you the impedance. It will only tell you DC resistance. It's not the same thing. Even though impedance is expressed in ohms, it's not a measure of simple resistance. That's a whole 'nuther discussion.

 

[captain_tinker]

Thank you, I just needed to clarify that for myself. Next thing I will need is some speaker cable. I see that Blue Jeans cable is pretty popular on this site. I'll have to check them out. I was just reading a review of them in this forum. I liked the "how to tell if someone is selling you snake oil" link. That was really funny! I am glad that there are smart people out there and on here that know how to cut through the crap, and get to what is important. Speaking of important, I see that there are two guages, 10 and 12. I guess 12 is smaller around than 10. Would it be better to go with 10 guage, if my wire is only going to be about 5 to 6 feet long, or would 12 do just nicely, or does it really matter?

-capT

 

[markw]

Actually, it's just the opposite.

Thank you, I just needed to clarify that for myself. Next thing I will need is some speaker cable. I see that Blue Jeans cable is pretty popular on this site. I'll have to check them out. I was just reading a review of them in this forum. I liked the "how to tell if someone is selling you snake oil" link. That was really funny! I am glad that there are smart people out there and on here that know how to cut through the crap, and get to what is important. Speaking of important, I see that there are two guages, 10 and 12. I guess 12 is smaller around than 10. Would it be better to go with 10 guage, if my wire is only going to be about 5 to 6 feet long, or would 12 do just nicely, or does it really matter?

-capT

The smaller the number, the thicker the wire. In any case, anything bigger (or a smaller number) than 16 gauge is perfectly acceptable for runs up to 50 feet or so. But, larger won't kill you but remember, after a certain point you don't really gain anything and it becomes a pain to work with.

Personally, I won't use smaller (a higher number) than than 16 gauge myself can't think of a need where larger than 12 gauge will ever be needed.

I'm more than satisfied with some RCA 14 gauge I picked up at Home Depot for about $20 for 100 feet. I just slapped on some bananas and spade lugs and I was ready to rumble.

 

[jaxvon]

When I shop for Belden speaker wire, I go to Westlake Electronic. They have much better pricing than Blue Jeans. The downsides are that they don't offer the white jacket (it's specially made by Belden for Blue Jeans) and they aren't as prompt with shipping as Blue Jeans. That, and I'm not sure if they'd go out of their way to get a mile of coax to my house on a limited timetable like they did for Gene and his house. If you aren't in a hurry, I'd go shop at Westlake to save some cash. If you need cable ASAP (or you need the white jacket), go with Blue Jeans and you won't be disappointed.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thank you, I just needed to clarify that for myself. Next thing I will need is some speaker cable. I see that Blue Jeans cable is pretty popular on this site. I'll have to check them out. I was just reading a review of them in this forum. I liked the "how to tell if someone is selling you snake oil" link. That was really funny! I am glad that there are smart people out there and on here that know how to cut through the crap, and get to what is important. Speaking of important, I see that there are two guages, 10 and 12. I guess 12 is smaller around than 10. Would it be better to go with 10 guage, if my wire is only going to be about 5 to 6 feet long, or would 12 do just nicely, or does it really matter?

-capT

5-6 ft, you can even use 16 ga easy. That is a very short distance in audio.

Wherever you buy your speaker cables, you shouldn't have to pay more than $.30/ft. You can even use low voltage landscape wire that is usually less expensive. Home Depot, some great buys from some of the links posted

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Also check Cablewholesale.com for good bulk pricing. They offer all types of lengths, terminations, etc...

http://www.cablewholesale.com/catalog/speakercable.htm

 

[captain_tinker]

Nirvana CAN be reached with cheap audio cables...

Thank you, I just needed to clarify that for myself. Next thing I will need is some speaker cable. I see that Blue Jeans cable is pretty popular on this site. I'll have to check them out. I was just reading a review of them in this forum. I liked the "how to tell if someone is selling you snake oil" link. That was really funny! I am glad that there are smart people out there and on here that know how to cut through the crap, and get to what is important. Speaking of important, I see that there are two guages, 10 and 12. I guess 12 is smaller around than 10. Would it be better to go with 10 guage, if my wire is only going to be about 5 to 6 feet long, or would 12 do just nicely, or does it really matter?

-capT

Hmm, is it ok to quote oneself? In any case, if anyone is really interested at all, I finally took the plunge, and bought the Marantz SR5600, a pair of Paradigm Titan's, and the CC-270 center speaker. I hooked it up on Saturday with a spool of Monster XP (navajo white) speaker cable that I got at the hi-fi store. I asked them about other brands, and they said that indeed other brands are better, but since Monster is a well known brand and many customers come in looking for it, they carry it. They did say that for now, it would do the job, and if I want to upgrade it in a while that that would not be a problem. I figured since it was rather inexpensive, I would just do that, since I wanted to listen to my system immediately. I also ended up using several of the old scuzzy rca cables I had lying around for connecting the components, and even using that, I have heard some beautiful sound coming out of that unit and speakers! In fact, the first time I played anything out of it, I sat back in shock and cried. I know it sounds corny, but I couldn't help it, I was seriously overcome at that point. Besides, it's ok for a guy to cry about something like this anyway. My wife just teased me. I played a 17 year old cd from Telarc, the sampler volume 4, Offenbach's Orpheus in the Underworld, (aka the Can-Can). My wife likes that song, because it's in one of those ice skating chick flicks she likes. Anyway, I was so impressed with how it sounds, that if it could sound any better by using better cabling someday, I will definately do it. But for now, I am still basking in the electronic glow of audible bliss. Talk about a big step, no, a giant leap - up from listening to cd's through my TV. -blah-

-capT