Balanced recommendation please

[john11]

Thanks for reading I'm going to make a balanced cable to connect my hrt streamer dac to my topping pas5 II amp, using Mogami 2549 cable, but a lot of cables like the mogami i have seen are actually labelled as microphone cables, is there a difference between interconnect cable and microphone cable, and is mogami 2529 a good choice for cable in this application or is there a better cable

 

[boxerfan88]

The mogami 2549 microphone cable is compatible for use at line levels.
I use the mogami 2549 to connect the DAC balanced output to my active speakers.

 

[DonH56]

The biggest applications for balanced cables are for microphones and long cable runs from e.g. mixing board to an amplifier stack on stage. They are also used as patch cables in studios where flexibility and isolation is desirable. Microphone cables are generally more flexible, well shielded, and resistant to handling noise, making them a great choice for interconnects and patch cables. Cables designed for long runs tend to be thicker, with heavier gauge shielding and conductors, thus less flexible and more costly. All of my XLR cables are "microphone" cables; the cable does not care.

HTH - Don

 

[john11]

The mogami 2549 microphone cable is compatible for use at line levels.
I use the mogami 2549 to connect the DAC balanced output to my active speakers.

Thanks ! What did you think of the 2549, is there anything better

 

[JSmith]

What did you think of the 2549, is there anything better

Not sure what you mean here, the cable either works or doesn't. If you mean, how does it sound... cables generally don't have a sound.


JSmith

 

[boxerfan88]

Thanks ! What did you think of the 2549, is there anything better

I also have the Belden 8412 balanced cable.
Between Mogami & Belden, they both sound the same to my ears, I can't tell them apart.

In addition, I have the Canare L-2T2S balanced cable which I use for subwoofer.
I have not done main speaker A/B test with this Canare cable.

Honestly for line-level short runs, these quality cables are pretty much transparent.
.
.

 

[VintageFlanker]

Thanks ! What did you think of the 2549, is there anything better

Both Canare L-4E6S and Mogami 2534 are star quad designs and have slightly better noise rejection.

...In practice, you won't notice any difference at all.

 

[john11]

Thanks ! Is there any benefit to the things mentioned in the advertising IE

I also have the Belden 8412 balanced cable.
Between Mogami & Belden, they both sound the same to my ears, I can't tell them apart.

In addition, I have the Canare L-2T2S balanced cable which I use for subwoofer.
I have not done main speaker A/B test with this Canare cable.

Honestly for line-level short runs, these quality cables are pretty much transparent.
.
.

The belden looks to be twice as expensive as the mogami

 

[MaxwellsEq]

The mogami 2549 microphone cable is compatible for use at line levels.
I use the mogami 2549 to connect the DAC balanced output to my active speakers.

Microphone cable is ideal for domestic interconnects at line level. I like Mogami, but would not be averse to Belden, Canare etc.

The music you listen to has already travelled down yards and yards of this cable type

 

[boxerfan88]

The belden looks to be twice as expensive as the mogami

Yeah, the Belden 8412 is more expensive, thicker & stiffer than Mogami 2549.

I bought the various brands to satisfy my own curiosity.
Like many others say, all these brands are transparent at line-level, short-run home hifi use.

.

 

[john11]

Thanks ! I've ordered the Mogami 2534.
What cable would you recommend for unbalanced ?

 

[GoFaster]

Thanks ! I've ordered the Mogami 2534.
What cable would you recommend for unbalanced ?

I highly doubt a cable knows if the electrons/protons going through it are "balanced". It doesn't matter.

 

[john11]

Thanks ! It's just that the mogami 2534 cable cost me £7.50 / meter
Was hoping someone could suggest a cheaper option but with similar performance

 

[JSmith]

Was hoping someone could suggest a cheaper option but with similar performance

Canare L-4E6S Star-Quad Microphone Cable by the Foot - Black

Canare L-4E6S Star Quad has been the industry standard mic cable for sound touring, broadcast studio and on-location techies for over 40 years. Star Quad obtains its name from the 4-conductor style construction that minimizes the 'loop-area' between twists of the conductors.

www.markertek.com

JSmith

 

[rcstevensonaz]

For Balanced and for Unbalanced to Balanced: Mogami W2549
For Unbalanced: Mogami W2964 or W2965

Most of the reading I did recommended the Mogami W2549 or similar 2-wire STP for balanced interconnects. Some recommend the star-quad; others noted that it is more difficult to work with for soldering.

Also, I would strongly recommend you consider cables made-to-order through Performance Audio. I went down the route of making my own cables... and in hindsight, I would have been way ahead with just ordering cables to my desired length and specification from them. If you do want to do your own cables, I still recommend parts and wires from Performance Audio.

 

[quattro98]

Something like Belden 8451 is fine as well. It is thin (3.51 mm O.D.), unimpressive looking, and inexpensive (28-40 US cents/foot).

Although they're fine to use and much cheaper than audiophile cables, you don't need star quad cables for a normal system run with a line level signal. Microphone signals are much lower in level and go long distances and the cables need to stand up to rough handling and stage use.

 

[Speedskater]

Interestingly Belden 8450, 8451 and 9451 are used in countless recording studios.
Yet with foil shields, they are more susceptible to lower frequency interference and Shield Current Induced Noise.

 

[john11]

I highly doubt a cable knows if the electrons/protons going through it are "balanced". It doesn't matter.

Thanks ! Could i use the balanced cable i purchased , the mogami 2534, as unbalanced cable, would that reduce or affect the sound quality in any way, using a cable designed as balanced for unbalanced
,
The mogami has four conducters inside, and a screened cable wrapped around them, how should these be used for unbalanced if possible

 

[MaxwellsEq]

The mogami has four conducters inside, and a screened cable wrapped around them, how should these be used for unbalanced if possible

You can, but it's generally a bad idea. Unbalanced RCA connections should be done using a proper coaxial cable.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

Thanks ! Could i use the balanced cable i purchased , the mogami 2534, as unbalanced cable, would that reduce or affect the sound quality in any way, using a cable designed as balanced for unbalanced
,
The mogami has four conducters inside, and a screened cable wrapped around them, how should these be used for unbalanced if possible

Please understand that the "balanced" noise rejection is performed by the input device that subtracts the hot from the cold, which thus cancels out (rejects) any common noise that was introduced in the cable transmission.

An unbalanced input device does not have that mechanism since it is only taking input in from a single conductor. As a result, whatever you do in the cable won't matter.

Proper shielding is an independent matter. Coax cables are already designed to provide the proper shielding for unbalanced analog signal transmission over long runs (and short runs).