In case you build your own cables, there are some interesting points I discovered over the years
(and I have invested so much time into this subject that even this lengthy post feels not lengthy at all):
- Thick stereo cables (like RG59/RG6) are a bit difficult to properly attach to each other. When routed close to a transformer (close to the amp) with some distance between them, this assy will pick up audible magnetically induced hum!
- Using thin, but well shielded satellite cable (e.g. some 4mm) may cause loss of channel separation due to its high outer conductor resistance, especially if you use resistor attenuators built into the (wrong) sourcing end of the cable, or your amp´s input resistance is rather low (<10KOhms).
On the other hand the thin dia let´s you put a decent length in heat shrinking tube to avoid magnetic pickup as decribed above and it has excellent electrical shielding, outperforming all the braided cables.
Therefore it has been my choice so far, admitting that its use has to be rather in a "non or seldom moving" way, because of their single inner-wire construction. Anyway, it´s also 75Ohms and therefore low capacitance, lower than (well-shielded) mic-cables...
- RCA connectors are really difficult matter, I try to avoid them, because of poor standardisation on measure and material.
Anyway, sometimes a cheap connector is the only choice, making an electrically durable interconnect.
I once bought a nice dual shielded cable with gold-plated? connectors for a NAIM integrated amp with gold-plated RCA-receptacles. Unfortunately they were only gold-plated on the outside (nickel inside?).
After every few days, there was so much chemical build-up from that unholy material combination, that even the RCA was isolating.
Not any snake-oil cure helped, but one of my oldest no-gold cables some 20y old!
- Again RCA connectors, this time concerning measures.
There are so many poorly fitting connectors (and probably receptacles as well) around that even the outer contact is a problem, not really clamping properly on the outer receptacle and giving only poor contact. The only proper solution I found are clamping connectors with an adjustable cap ring (these hexagonal ones).
Positive about them, there is enough space inside, to house a resistor attentuator for level alignment of different sources (it works, but only when carefully designed and matched to the individual source!). Drawback is the large diameter, sometimes causing problems when locking the hexagonal cap ring. Anyway, my choice, because the material seems to work with my equipment receptacles´ contacts on the long run.
- Best choice is of course using plugs and connectors in combination from the same quality source (if possible at all, one of the few trustable names was mentioned before...and of course avoiding "finger-touch-sensitive" connectors like RCA at all...).
Happy soldering!