RCA-style audio interconnect cables

[audioholic212]

I have a question.
I have a bunch of composite cables lying around at my home. Just like these...



Can I use the audio part (red and white) of the cables as 'RCA-style audio interconnect cables' required by my Oppo DVD Player
to connect to analog inputs in my receiver?

If so, I have a follow up question. Can I use the Video part of the composite cable as one of the audio cables?

I hope I am clear.

 

[mperfct]

yes you may use that. I've actually done that until I bought some better monoprice RCA cables.

 

[no1maestro]

As I understand it, yes. The supposed difference in these cables is their resistance. It differs a bit from the standard RCA audio cables. I have used these in place of standards for years with no problem!!

 

[markw]

They are coaxial interconnects with RCA pugs on the ends.

There really are no "RCA cables". The cables are coaxial type. The connectors on the ends are RCA Plugs. So, they are coaxial cables with RCA plugs on the ends.

Coaxial cables can also come with other ends, such as "F" connectors (antenna & cable TV), BNC (test eq and some pro video) and more, as well as RCA [ugs.

RCA plugs are generally color-coded as to their function.

a pair of red and white - analog audio

yellow - composite video

orange - digital audio

a trio or red. blue and green - component video

All but the red/white plugs are speced to be 75 ohms. The red and white analog audio cables don't have to be 75 ohms but, in today's market, they most likely are due to economy of manufacture.

In essence, all except the red/white can be used for anything. Odds are very good that the red/white can be too, but there's no guarantee.

 

[audioholic212]

In essence, all except the red/white can be used for anything. Odds are very good that the red/white can be too, but there's no guarantee.

So, basically, I can use the Yellow one for Analog Audio too?

 

[Adam]

So, basically, I can use the Yellow one for Analog Audio too?

Yep, you certainly can.

 

[Biggiesized]

I think all of the consumer interconnects are 75 ohm.

Anything like that is good.

 

[mperfct]

Here you go:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021803&p_id=2869&seq=1&format=2

That's what I bought. No sense paying more. I think I got 4 cables (8 inputs) for less than $20 shipped.

 

[j_garcia]

I think all of the consumer interconnects are 75 ohm.

Anything like that is good.

No they aren't 100%. Though it is rare, there are some analog audio interconnects out there that are not 75 Ohm and they will not work for video or digital coaxial, though they will work for any analog audio obviously. Video cables however are always 75 Ohm and will always work for audio or digital coaxial.

 

[audioholic212]

Small Digression from OP.

First of all, thank you for your answers.

I digress a little here. Right now, I have two analog RCA cables sticking into the 2CH input (Left and Right) of the receiver. I am playing DVDs with 5.1 dolby surround using my OPPO thru my receiver. The sound is pretty good (remember, I just got into audio like 2 months ago, pretty good for me is not that high a bar. Although I can see the Yamaha receiver broke up the 2CH to 5CH sound somehow).

Here is my question. If I use 5 RCA cables for the 5CH input (somehow, haven't figured that out yet) of my DVD player, feeding into 5 CH Input of my receiver, I should be getting some better breakup (i.e., sound that should go to rear goes to rear etc) of the sound?

Thank you.

 

[mperfct]

First of all, thank you for your answers.

I digress a little here. Right now, I have two analog RCA cables sticking into the 2CH input (Left and Right) of the receiver. I am playing DVDs with 5.1 dolby surround using my OPPO thru my receiver. The sound is pretty good (remember, I just got into audio like 2 months ago, pretty good for me is not that high a bar. Although I can see the Yamaha receiver broke up the 2CH to 5CH sound somehow).

Here is my question. If I use 5 RCA cables for the 5CH input (somehow, haven't figured that out yet) of my DVD player, feeding into 5 CH Input of my receiver, I should be getting some better breakup (i.e., sound that should go to rear goes to rear etc) of the sound?

Thank you.

If I understand this right, you are asking if 5.1 analog will be better than 2-channel analog which is processed to 5.1 (Dolby Pro Logic I believe)? I don't know about "better", but it will be more authentic. Sounds that are encoded on the disc for the center, LFE, LR and RR channels will now be played, versus your receiver using an algorithm based upon the L and R channels to fill all 5 channels. I believe your receiver would use an internal crossover to fill the .1/LFE channel, instead of using the .1 that is encoded o on the disc.

http://www.dolby.com/consumer/technology/prologic_II.html

 

[markw]

What receiver are you using?

Does your receiver accept a "digital" input? That's to say, does it have a built-in Dolby Digital and/or DTS decoder? Most produced since 2000 or so do.

 

[audioholic212]

Thank you. That pretty much answers my question. Yes, I think the Yamaha receiver is doing DPL of some sorts (Still reading the manual) and giving me the 5 channel output. (btw, I don't have a sub yet, so, there is no .1/LFE device for me yet).

But, yes, I will go ahead with inputting the 5CH to 5CH on receiver for now.

If that is the case, I wonder how the base frequencies (maybe 80 hz and below..) will be played? Will they be totally ignored by the receiver and not given to any of the front speakers?

 

[audioholic212]

Does your receiver accept a "digital" input? That's to say, does it have a built-in Dolby Digital and/or DTS decoder? Most produced since 2000 or so do.

Yes, I would think so. It's a Yamaha RX-V2300 receiver that I bought from a member here in AH.

 

[mperfct]

Thank you. That pretty much answers my question. Yes, I think the Yamaha receiver is doing DPL of some sorts (Still reading the manual) and giving me the 5 channel output. (btw, I don't have a sub yet, so, there is no .1/LFE device for me yet).

But, yes, I will go ahead with inputting the 5CH to 5CH on receiver for now.

If that is the case, I wonder how the base frequencies (maybe 80 hz and below..) will be played? Will they be totally ignored by the receiver and not given to any of the front speakers?

Assuming a few things, 80hz and below will just be rolled off via a crossover. The receiver won't ignore it per se, it will just send it to the speakers at a reduced amplitude. The lower the tone, the more attenuated it will be.

There are also quite a few variables at play, one being if you have an option to set your speakers to large or small. Large in most receivers sends your speakers full bandwidth (no crossover/roll-off), and small usually sets the crossover at 80 hz. Small is usually the way to go.

 

[mperfct]

Yes, I would think so. It's a Yamaha RX-V2300 receiver that I bought from a member here in AH.

In that case, forget analog and use a toslink or digital coax cable.

 

[markw]

You can feed that receiver a digital signal with one interconnect.

Yes, I would think so. It's a Yamaha RX-V2300 receiver that I bought from a member here in AH.

Let your receiver do the Dolby Digital/DTS decoding. As you get used to it's functions, you will learn that you have more control over the overall sound.

I'm sure whoever sold you the receiver gave you the manual bus, just in case, here's a copy : http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/av/english/re/RX-V2300.pdf

 

[audioholic212]

In that case, forget analog and use a toslink or digital coax cable.

So, digital coax or toslink is better than Analog cables?

If so, the only reason I have for using analog cables is that I don't have to buy another cable ( I have a whole bunch of analog cables lying around).

 

[markw]

So, digital coax or toslink is better than Analog cables?

It's at least as good. Most ikely better.

If so, the only reason I have for using analog cables is that I don't have to buy another cable ( I have a whole bunch of analog cables lying around).

If you reference post 4 in this thread, you'll see that you most likely don't have to buy another cable.

 

[audioholic212]

Thank you Markw. I have the PDF for the V2300. Going thru that right now. It is overwhelming in that it has so many features and I am trying to digest whatever I can.