Kimber RCA Cable vs Amazon Basics (Video)

[Mort]

True, but that's not cable testing, that shielding testing.... which is the most important consideration with any cable.

There have been at least 15 topping and smsl reviews in the last 12 months.

 

[Maxicut]

There have been at least 15 topping and smsl reviews in the last 12 months.

I don't believe that is true, but I will check tomorrow.

 

[Bogda]

True, but that's not cable testing, that shielding testing.... which is the most important consideration with any cable.

Isn't the shielding part of the cable??? It is like saying you are testing the car but test only the engine or test it only in drag racing.

 

[BlueTunes]

Great video. Well done.

 

[Maxicut]

Isn't the shielding part of the cable??? It is like saying you are testing the car but test only the engine.

We already know that the cable is going to transmit the signal correctly before testing. All cables do unless they are broken.

 

[JSmith]

Constantly reviewing cables

Not sure what you mean here... last one was a USB to XLR cable in November last year and before that was a USB cable in July. The last RCA cable tested was back in 2022 from what I can see... so unsure why you thought constantly.

Many companies still sell snake oil cables and many people keep buying them. So it's important in that regard to create new content about cables, such as testing and videos, to continue to get that message out there that they are all a complete scam if they claim audible improvements.


JSmith

 

[SSS]

Isn't the shielding part of the cable??? It is like saying you are testing the car but test only the engine or test it only in drag racing.

Sure it is. And there may be differences in shielding property between cables. Same as the electrical resistance from end to end. Amir did there an easy test. Testing shielding would need defined EMI (electromagnetic interference) tests with magnetic fields and radio frequencies signals. Question is whether these are necessary for the intended audio usage of the cable. Further a triboelectric test may make sense. Moving the cable could create a scratching sound, especially when the isolation was made of teflon.

 

[BlueTunes]

We already know that the cable is going to transmit the signal correctly before testing. All cables do unless they are broken.

Has there ever been a well made cable that tests poorly?

 

[DSJR]

Sorry, but I don't really see the point of going over this AGAIN. It's a cable. it's not broken, it transmits the signal correctly & it probably costs around $2.00 or less to manufacture. What has happened to all the SMSL & Topping reviews promised, which are what the majority of people here want to see? Sorry for being so negative, but it's probably becoming a bit of a joke now.

The hi-end daftness is still very much alive amongst those wealthy enough to indulge in it...

The rest of us can still sleep easy

P.S. My old 'career virginity' stomping ground ultra-high-end dealership as it's turned into now in central London, sent me an email invitation to a presentation by a senior designer and CEO at Shunyata (Cailin Gabriel), claiming science and research behind their offerings and seemingly a former career based in science. I won't foul the thread further, but to double down here, the high-end of domestic audio really needs to be shown as it often really is...

 

[Bogda]

Sure it is. And there may be differences in shielding property between cables. Same as the electrical resistance from end to end. Amir did there an easy test. Testing shielding would need defined EMI (electromagnetic interference) tests with magnetic fields and radio frequencies signals. Question is whether these are necessary for the intended audio usage of the cable. Further a triboelectric test may make sense. Moving the cable could create a scratching sound, especially when the isolation was made of teflon.

I did not mean Amir should test with scientific laboratory equipment but rather testing it against regular stuff many of us have behind and around our Hi-Fi equipment (spaghetti of cables, noisy transformers, shi*ty mains cables, glass case desktop computer maybe etc). It is very much intended audio usage. I do not need to send the photo of the back of my equipment since many of us can relate.
I am sure many forum member will be happy to send Amir their favourite species.

 

[Apesbrain]

But but ... but...

16. It costs more so it must be better.

 

[DanielT]

Good thing you made this video Amir because...

Sorry, but I don't really see the point of going over this AGAIN.

.....consumer information and tests are needed to inform potential buyers. The video is not directly aimed at those of us who hang out on ASR often and know what the result of the test will be and is.

What was surprising was that those screw-in RCA connectors didn't seem to screw hard enough, plus there was plastic flaps in them.:


Why were these chosen when WBT has RCA connectors that have metal flaps around the entire RCA connector? For example these:

(price in SEK in the photos)

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001636344395.html

Which by the way don't cost that much,about $17 for four pieces.

 

[BlueTunes]

16. It costs more so it must be better.

Not the most though. The Kimbers are for poor people.....

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rasantekaudio.com

 

[syhooo]

Sorry, but I don't really see the point of going over this AGAIN. It's a cable. it's not broken, it transmits the signal correctly & it probably costs around $2.00 or less to manufacture. What has happened to all the SMSL & Topping reviews promised, which are what the majority of people here want to see? Sorry for being so negative, but it's probably becoming a bit of a joke now.

Well, Amir is the Chief Fun Officer around here! I think he's just trying to bring us some joy and entertainment with these kinds of reviews.

 

[SSS]

I did not mean Amir should test with scientific laboratory equipment but rather testing it against regular stuff many of us have behind and around our Hi-Fi equipment (spaghetti of cables, noisy transformers, shi*ty mains cables, glass case desktop computer maybe etc). It is very much intended audio usage. I do not need to send the photo of the back of my equipment since many of us can relate.
I am sure many forum member will be happy to send Amir their favourite species.

I am sure you didn't. My answer was just to mention that there are more parameters of a cable which could be tested, not to forget the impedance of a cable which I did not touch. Yes, it is a pleasure to view and listen what Amir does and I appreciate this very much. And I do not expect that Amir will and should test cables in a professional scientific way. This is task of the cable manufacturers according to the requirements from their customers.

 

[BlueTunes]

. And I do not expect that Amir will and should test cables in a professional scientific way. This is task of the cable manufacturers according to the requirements from their customers.

Uh-oh.

 

[SSS]

Uh-oh.

Yes, I am sorry since my English is not perfect. What I meant was that Amir does it of course with huge engineering knowledge but not to the extent which requires extensive and expensive measurement equipment of an industrial laboratory. And for audio not really needed.

 

[JSmith]

more parameters of a cable which could be tested

Battle of RCA Cables: Mogami, Amazon, Monoprice

This is a review, measurements and comparison of a number of RCA cables from Mogami, Monorpice and Amazon Basics. The first two were kindly provided by a member. This is a subset of the cables tested: And details of each: Monoprice 1.5ft Premium 2 RCA Plug/2 RCA Plug M/M 22AWG Cable -...

www.audiosciencereview.com

My own test of using an AC transformer though was quite effective in inducing mains noise.

All of these cables are transparent for audio. While they did pick up some noise, that happened by completely touching a power transformer. And even then, the level did not rise to audible levels (although my AP analyzer may be more immune to this noise than your audio gear). So assuming you avoid touching a transformer to your cables, electrically all three cables have bandwidth that exceeds 200 kHz, and any noise or distortion is the result of the source, not the cable.

JSmith

 

[trevor_bartram]

Cleanliness is next to g*dliness:
My $15 Monster directional RCA cables use heavy gauge twisted pair & a shield connected to the return on one end only. I've always cleaned my cable & equipment connectors using Q-Tips & alcohol every few years to remove tarnish etc. To clean the equipment center connection I skinny down the Q-Tip to fit.
My AC & DC connections all use common-mode chokes just in case. I put as many cable turns thru the choke as possible. Cheers!

 

[SSS]

Battle of RCA Cables: Mogami, Amazon, Monoprice

This is a review, measurements and comparison of a number of RCA cables from Mogami, Monorpice and Amazon Basics. The first two were kindly provided by a member. This is a subset of the cables tested: And details of each: Monoprice 1.5ft Premium 2 RCA Plug/2 RCA Plug M/M 22AWG Cable -...

www.audiosciencereview.com

JSmith

At my own measurements it is hard to get rid of the induced 50 Hz and its harmonics (Germany and EU). Since mostly magnetically induced the difference between cables (unbalanced) is small. For measurements I use lab cables with BNC connectors (single ended). Moving the cables around changes the influence a bit on my workbench. Better with balanced connection, but most of my patients have single ended RCA jacks as many audio gear has it. My last one was the Audio Research Reference 5 SE with balanced XLR jacks. This measured pretty well for a tube based line amp but still had the hum at a very low level in it. At the end of the day influences into a cable is very individual dependent on the situation where it is used. If there is induction of noise or radio stations a different cable may help or not.