Recommendations for DIY balanced line level cables (voodoo-free)

[BeepPeep_61]

In 2019 to perform all XLR connections, both for the HiFi (MiniDsp Shd + McIntosh MC601) system and for the Inero HT plants, I purchased on Amazon and then wired the following materials:

Neutrik NC3FXX - B XLR-female
Neutrik NTR-NC3MXXB
Mogami Neglex 2534 Starquad
I am extremely happy with the quality of the material and the total cost ... to advise

 

[DualTriode]

In 2019 to perform all XLR connections, both for the HiFi (MiniDsp Shd + McIntosh MC601) system and for the Inero HT plants, I purchased on Amazon and then wired the following materials:

Neutrik NC3FXX - B XLR-female
Neutrik NTR-NC3MXXB
Mogami Neglex 2534 Starquad
I am extremely happy with the quality of the material and the total cost ... to advise

"The Worlds Best Cables" are made from the same parts and are perhaps cheaper than buying the parts and assembling the cables yourself.

https://www.amazon.com/Foot-Balanced-Microphone-NC3MXX-B-NC3FXX-B/dp/B00WU1ECJC/ref=sr_1_8?crid=31XDMS5TB0NLO&keywords=The+Worlds+Best+Cables&qid=1646522519&sprefix=the+worlds+best+cables%2Caps%2C244&sr=8-8

 

[BeepPeep_61]

What you say Dear DualTriode, at cost level is not correct, I spent (in 2019) approximately € 243 of material, creating 16 cables from one meter, just over € 15 each.
The time taken to the realization do not consider it, falls into the total one served to the reset of my audio room.
In Italy Amazon sells only a similar but long 6 feet model (double) at 76.42 € each !!
Obviously for a person who does not juggle with pond welds, it will be cheaper to bear the commercial product, but here, the title is: Recommendations for DIY Balanced Line Level Cables (voodoo-free) !!
Good Sunday to all,

 

[DualTriode]

What you say Dear DualTriode, at cost level is not correct, I spent (in 2019) approximately € 243 of material, creating 16 cables from one meter, just over € 15 each.
The time taken to the realization do not consider it, falls into the total one served to the reset of my audio room.
In Italy Amazon sells only a similar but long 6 feet model (double) at 76.42 € each !!
Obviously for a person who does not juggle with pond welds, it will be cheaper to bear the commercial product, but here, the title is: Recommendations for DIY Balanced Line Level Cables (voodoo-free) !!
Good Sunday to all,

Amazon.com: 4 Units - 5 Foot - Balanced Microphone Cable Custom Made by WORLDS BEST CABLES - Using Mogami 2549 (Black) Wire and Neutrik NC3MXX-B & NC3FXX-B Gold XLR Plugs : Musical Instruments

Amazon.com: 4 Units - 5 Foot - Balanced Microphone Cable Custom Made by WORLDS BEST CABLES - Using Mogami 2549 (Black) Wire and Neutrik NC3MXX-B & NC3FXX-B Gold XLR Plugs : Musical Instruments

www.amazon.com

Pay more and DIY if you like.

 

[freemansteve]

For up to 5m at line level, there's no need to spend a lot.
I recently bought some KabelDiect ready assembled from Amazon.
A comparison between going direct within my amp or going pre-out to power-in via the cable (but with extra phono convertors on the jacks) made no discernable difference. The cable was not even microphonic. No noise issues in in a noisy environment. Later the cables were used to feed subs, as
I've since got a new amp and speakers and the cables in my trunking are fine.
I used balanced cables with my mics & mixer, and for my DI feed from my guitar. This is well below line level and the cables are nothing special - there is too much inherent noise with this rig to spend much money - quite low signal levels too.

 

[RHO]

Hello forum,

I have to rearrange my DAC and amplifiers setup and need to make new cables for that. The units in question are an RME Fireface UFX II as DAC/preamp and a bunch of Powersoft D-Cell 504 amp modules (technical specs in this post: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ider-for-active-diy-speaker.28709/post-998878). The cables lengths will be around 3..5 m each.

Since I finally found a forum where esoteric believe seems to be frowned upon, I'd like to check with you if I am thinking in the right direction.

I plan to buy from pro audio suppliers, Cordial, Sommer cable and the likes.

1. Cross section (gauge)
Pro audio signal cables are available in different conductor cross sections. I am aware that the resistance of a relatively short line level cable doesn't matter much, but the price difference between 2x0,22 mm², 2x0,34 mm² and 2x0,5 mm² is not big. Is there any harm in going for the larger cross section and minimize the resistance?
On the other hand, the contact patches at the amp modules are relatively small (see 3.), so I might just stick to the 2x0,22 mm² standard and not worry.

2. Shielding
Since I am totally free to build the connections as I like, I could add a thicker (1,5..2,5 mm²) cable in parallel to the shield on pin 1. Just to offer any unwanted currents a convenient path of least resistance away from the signal wires. Helpful or unnecessary?
I assume that it's best to connect pin 1 on both ends for a proper grounding of the amp modules to the DAC.

3. Connectors
I'm a fan of Neutrik connectors and have no reason to look for anything else. Given my thoughts in 1. I think I should pick their BAG versions (gold plated contact pins). I have 2x XLR female for channels 1+2 and 6x TRS for channels 3-8. The amp modules have shrouded header connectors.

I use these cables: https://www.thomann.de/intl/sommer_cable_sc_stage_22_highflex_gn.htm
Very flexible, high quality and you can just pick the right color cable for color coding.
I use the TRS connectors: https://www.thomann.de/intl/neutrik_np_3_xbag.htm
And these XLR connectors: https://www.thomann.de/intl/neutrik_nc_3_mxxb.htm , https://www.thomann.de/intl/neutrik_nc_3_fxxb.htm

You could go for this cable: https://www.thomann.de/intl/sommer_cable_square_4core_mkii_highflex.htm But I don't think you gain much compared the the cheaper stage 22 highflex cable.