Recomend me some cables!

[Saint]

<font color='#000000'>I'm tired of cheap interconnects and such.

What are some GOOD VALUE (read: not ultra-expensive) interconnects (analog) to connect my CD player to my receiver?</font>

 

[mustang_steve]

<font color='#000000'>If you feel adventurous, you can try to make your own.  The cost of the final cable can be far lower than comparable pre-made cables.

I made the interconnects from this page and they worked well.
http://home.new.rr.com/zaph/audio/audio-cables.html

I did have an issue with teh rca plugs being too tight, but that turned out to be a problem with my rca jacks having a slight flare at the end of them.  the plugs were the exact same measurements, but the jacks varied up to .5mm (I used a micrometer to make these measurements).  All teh recievers i own have this variance in the rca jacks, so it might be a good dea to pick up different rca plugs for this, but if you wnat those, I can explain the trick I used, though it is not the most desirable way to fix it but does work very well.

Note that, I don't share the same views on cable as the site owner, I just enjoy making things myself, and that cable seemed to be very strightforward and inexpensive.</font>

 

[isracing]

<font color='#000000'>I read up on making your own cables on the link you provided, are these only good for Audio Interconnect? or could I make my own component cables, and composit cables using the same material. If I'm probably going to order some up today.

thanks,
Jalil</font>

 

[Audioholics]

<font color='#000080'>In addition, we have it on good record that Axiom Audio is going to be putting out some decent cables soon (audio/video interconnects, digital audio &amp; speaker cables). Snake oil venders beware!

We'll be reviewing these within the next couple months.</font>

 

[mustang_steve]

<font color='#000000'>you wil have to check what the impedance is on your composite cable. &nbsp;I suspect audio cables are the same impedance wise, but cannot say for sure.

He did claim to test their noise rejection by testing it as a video cable, so they could be good for video as well

at the price, it should be a very inexpesive test either way, especially if you end up with spare cable.</font>

 

[isracing]

<font color='#000000'>I Just wanted to know so I can buy some and make a full complete cable setup for my system and go return the 'radio shack Fusion' component cables I paid 60 bucks for since I was in a bind to get my new system running.</font>

 

[Guest]

<font color='#000000'>i have always liked the kimber PBJs. &nbsp;nice neutral cable. &nbsp;not too expensive. &nbsp;can be had on the used market for pretty cheap.</font>

 

[Drad]

<font color='#000000'>Monster Cable and Van den Hull are my favourites. Broad range of models and prices...</font>

 

[Guest]

<font color='#000000'>You could also try

http://www.bluejeanscables.com

They are reasonably priced, and far better than the cheapie stuff. &nbsp;

http://www.bettercables.com &nbsp; is another good site. &nbsp;Cosmetically they are better than bluejeans, but I can't tell the difference in sound between the 2.</font>

 

[duff]

<font color='#000000'>As noted above, Axiom has come out with some cables.  Pricier than I would have guessed/hoped. &nbsp;Worth the money?

http://www.axiomaudio.com/cables.html</font>

 

[Audioholics]

<font color='#000080'>Here's our subjective Axiom Audio Cables review article. It will be followed up by a more thorough objective suite of tests to give you the lowdownon how they measure up on the bench...

How do they sound? They transmit the data and analogue frequency information accurately to my ears and do not color the sound at all. And that's exactly what a cable shoudl do in my opinion.</font>

 

[Guest]

<font color='#000000'>Axioms cables are the exact same thing as cobaltcable.com and bluejeanscables.com stuff. Absolutely one of the finest cables out there for video and audio. The problem with them? Price. $100 for a 6ft cable?

All of these cable companies use Canare wire and Canare terminators. Go to Canare.com and check the specs on the cables and connectors. The go to google and look for prices. You can buy the best Canare wire for $.34/ft and connectors for $2.89 each. Total cost fo your 6ft cable: $7.82.
Granted, to use Canare connectors, you have to buy their dye set, which is $52. but you're still way ahead of the cost of one 6ft cable purcahsed through the above mentioned sites. And you will definetely need more than one cable.
For my HT system and I needed a few different cables that aded up to a total price of $600. I made them myself for under $120, and that includes buying the tools I needed.</font>

 

[Audioholics]

<font color='#000080'>That is certainly an option. I've made many a cable in the past... I even have some made out of blue Canare quad that I still use in my office.</font>

 

[lonwa]

<font color='#000000'>Hi,


I am interested in the cables you mentioned above (canare) for component video. I am curious though, they say they are crimped connectors, do I need to use their special crimping device or can I just use anything with enough force to crimp the connector on? I have never crimped an RCA connector before (only RJ11/45 data cables) that is why I am unsure about the need for a specific device.

Also, who makes a good 75 Ohm RCA connector for soldering? I already have the tools to solder; hence I then wouldn't need to buy expensive (proprietary) tools.

I saw that Monster sells them for like 25$ a pair, I am looking for something a little more reasonable - like 3$ each.


Thanks a lot


lonwa</font>

 

[Guest]

<font color='#000000'>I am also looking for good speaker cables. &nbsp;For what it's worth, I just called Axiom and the phone operator, who sounded quite knowledgeable, said their cables are design/built from scratch with 2-wire conductor, not 4-wire conductor like that of Canare. &nbsp;Apparently they did extensive testing and comparing at their facility and this cable is as good by ear and instrument as much more expensive cable.</font>

 

[gene]

<font color='#000000'>Andrew;

I don't want to let the cat out of the bag too much, but I just measured the Axiom cables and they are very impressive. &nbsp;The only downside I see so far is they only offer spade connectors. &nbsp;However, very impressive cable, regardless of price.</font>

 

[Guest]

<font color='#000000'>I will first admit that I am not an audiophile. &nbsp;But I do have something to throw out. &nbsp;I know a little college physics and have some knowledge of conductors and insulators, however all that went out the window at my first &quot;real&quot; job. &nbsp;It was a high voltage test equipment company where, with very high voltage, 45 Million Volts, we could polarize polycarbonate atoms and make polycarbonate 'slightly' conductive.

My point is college physics don't always tell the whole truth.

PS I'm not backing ANY of the claims.</font>

 

[pds]

<font color='#000000'>For excellent quality cables of all types (audio/video/computer) go to www.cablewholesale.com. &nbsp;Build quality of their cables is excellent. &nbsp;I bought a set of component video/audio (combination cable) cables from them and they performed every bit as well as the set of Monster component cables that I have as a reference. &nbsp;On an A/B comparison I see no difference. (This is on a 65 inch tv) You will be very pleased with both the quality and price of their cables.

</font>

 

[Scumfrog]

<font color='#000000'>For the money, the Monster Cable M550 is a true bargain. &nbsp;The impact on my system was immidiate and obvious. &nbsp;If $50 is an obstacle, then the Radio Shack Gold interconnects, at about $13, are a steal!
Good Listening...Scumfrog</font>

 

[Guest]

<font color='#000000'>I just ordered two sets from BlueJeans Cables. If you look at the photos, they are one of the few companies making cables with Real coaxial connectors which maintain full shielding over the center conductor - no solder tabs aka audio cable style.

It may not make a difference at the 35MHz of HDTV, but you see only fully shielded, impedance matched cable/connector sets on computer video RGB inputs - BNC even.

At some point, RCA plugs need to go into history.....

I've been working in electronics for a few decades: I highly recommend the  Blue Jeans design over Monster and Acoustic Research and other solder tab connector style cables....

Happy Thanksgiving to all ....</font>