I got back around to working on getting 7.1 audio out from my computer again, and set up a Creative Sound Blaster X3 USB DAC + Emotiva BasX A7 + KEF e305 / e301 setup. The results are good. However, I am out of high quality 3.5mm to RCA interconnect cables so I wanted to ask for advice.
The Emotiva BasX A7 only takes unbalanced audio in, and the Creative Sound Blaster X3 only outputs unbalanced audio out. So we are good on no need for balanced cables. I am looking for 3ft or 6ft runs. However the Center/Sub are on one 3.5mm jack so they need to be split with a 3.5mm-to-RCA adapter, and then sent in different directions (one directly to the subwoofer, the other to the center channel amp).
I am looking at the following cable families:
Monoprice Premium
3.5mm to stereo RCA cable) = $2.49/3ft (5597), ~$3.49/6ft
stereo RCA cables = $7.49/3ft (2869), $5.99/6ft (must be economies of scale)
Monoprice Onix
3.5mm to stereo RCA cable = $4.79/3ft (38081) (no 6ft option)*
* reviews at https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-3-5mm-2-Male-Adapter-Cable/dp/B07RS4SR7L/ say there's a design error and the left connector is connected to both RCA outputs.
stereo RCA cables = $18.99/3ft (38076), $18.99/6ft**
** review shows a manufacturing defect/short: https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Channel-Stereo-Audio-Cable/dp/B07RWPV3YV/
Basically it seems like Monoprice Onix is not worth the risk of a bad cable.
Monoprice Monolith
one RCA cable = $16.99/3ft (18534), $21.15/6ft
Mogami Gold
3.5mm to stereo RCA cable = $63.95/3ft (Gold3.52R03), $72.95/6ft (Gold3.52R06)
one RCA cable = $44.95/3ft (GoldRCA03), $52.95/6ft (GoldRCA06)
Audioquest Evergreen***
3.5mm to stereo RCA cable = $79.95/3ft, $95.95/6ft
stereo RCA cables = $79.95/3ft, $95.65/6ft
***I was only considering these since they were on clearance for ~50% off at Best Buy. However, that deal no longer appears to be happening. So very had to justify these prices.
Adapters (3.5mm TRS to Dual RCA female):
Monoprice 3.5mm to RCA adapter (gold plated) = $0.59
Hosa Stereo RCA to Mini Adapter (not gold plated) = $4.15
D'Addario PW-P047C = $12.99
Audioquest FLX-Mini/RCA Adapter = $29.95
It seems that at these 3ft - 6 ft lengths, the questions that matter are "is it shielded" (yes), "is it NOT too fat" (no, not too fat), and "is the connector of good quality" (however that is measured).
I figured there are holy wars out there about cables and such...but I am here for objective and hopefully measurable advice. I think for Audioquest (and Monster, etc.) about 50-75% of the price is paying for the brand name. However, at least one reviewer of Monoprice Onix on Amazon said that there was a short at the connector for his cable due to a stray copper strand that did not get soldered down properly. I do think as you go up in price, you should expect less likelihood of manufacturing defects.
I like Blue Jeans Cable, and have a white + purple connector LC-1 for subwoofer interconnect, but Blue Jeans does not appear to make an integrated shielded 3.5mm to stereo RCA cable with LC-1 cabling. I looked at World's Best Cables and it seems that they do not carry 3.5mm to stereo RCA cables.
The Emotiva BasX A7 only takes unbalanced audio in, and the Creative Sound Blaster X3 only outputs unbalanced audio out. So we are good on no need for balanced cables. I am looking for 3ft or 6ft runs. However the Center/Sub are on one 3.5mm jack so they need to be split with a 3.5mm-to-RCA adapter, and then sent in different directions (one directly to the subwoofer, the other to the center channel amp).
I am looking at the following cable families:
Monoprice Premium
3.5mm to stereo RCA cable) = $2.49/3ft (5597), ~$3.49/6ft
stereo RCA cables = $7.49/3ft (2869), $5.99/6ft (must be economies of scale)
Monoprice Onix
3.5mm to stereo RCA cable = $4.79/3ft (38081) (no 6ft option)*
* reviews at https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-3-5mm-2-Male-Adapter-Cable/dp/B07RS4SR7L/ say there's a design error and the left connector is connected to both RCA outputs.
stereo RCA cables = $18.99/3ft (38076), $18.99/6ft**
** review shows a manufacturing defect/short: https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Channel-Stereo-Audio-Cable/dp/B07RWPV3YV/
Basically it seems like Monoprice Onix is not worth the risk of a bad cable.
Monoprice Monolith
one RCA cable = $16.99/3ft (18534), $21.15/6ft
Mogami Gold
3.5mm to stereo RCA cable = $63.95/3ft (Gold3.52R03), $72.95/6ft (Gold3.52R06)
one RCA cable = $44.95/3ft (GoldRCA03), $52.95/6ft (GoldRCA06)
Audioquest Evergreen***
3.5mm to stereo RCA cable = $79.95/3ft, $95.95/6ft
stereo RCA cables = $79.95/3ft, $95.65/6ft
***I was only considering these since they were on clearance for ~50% off at Best Buy. However, that deal no longer appears to be happening. So very had to justify these prices.
Adapters (3.5mm TRS to Dual RCA female):
Monoprice 3.5mm to RCA adapter (gold plated) = $0.59
Hosa Stereo RCA to Mini Adapter (not gold plated) = $4.15
D'Addario PW-P047C = $12.99
Audioquest FLX-Mini/RCA Adapter = $29.95
It seems that at these 3ft - 6 ft lengths, the questions that matter are "is it shielded" (yes), "is it NOT too fat" (no, not too fat), and "is the connector of good quality" (however that is measured).
I figured there are holy wars out there about cables and such...but I am here for objective and hopefully measurable advice. I think for Audioquest (and Monster, etc.) about 50-75% of the price is paying for the brand name. However, at least one reviewer of Monoprice Onix on Amazon said that there was a short at the connector for his cable due to a stray copper strand that did not get soldered down properly. I do think as you go up in price, you should expect less likelihood of manufacturing defects.
I like Blue Jeans Cable, and have a white + purple connector LC-1 for subwoofer interconnect, but Blue Jeans does not appear to make an integrated shielded 3.5mm to stereo RCA cable with LC-1 cabling. I looked at World's Best Cables and it seems that they do not carry 3.5mm to stereo RCA cables.
