TRS-to-XLR cable for small DAC-s

[rolfrander]

I recently bought the SMSL C200 PRO for use as a small desktop DAC connecting USB to a pair of Neumann speakers. I chose this because at the time it was the cheapest I could find with optical and USB input, balanced output, headphone-jack and volume control.

However, the TRS connections are so close together that I have a hard time finding TRS-to-XLR-cables with TRS-jacks narrow enough. I have measured the offset between jacks to be approx 14.4 mm. I have bought cables which, judging by the image on the seller website was quite narrow, but was disapointed to find that the actual product had plugs the same with as XLS-connections. The upon request the seller explained that "this is the standard width".

Looking for alternatives I found the Neutrik NP3X. The product page states that:

The slimline shell with a width of 14.5 mm meets the most recent requirements for highest density jackfields (15.88 mm jack pitch).

So it seems this is both too wide for the SMSL, and the SMSL is designed with a smaller jack pitch than "recent requirements for highest density jackfields"

I have compared this with other small DACs, measuring on the official product photos and found:

Topping D10: 18,9 mm
MiniDSP Flex: 18,4 mm

Does anyone have any recommendations to where I can get TRS-to-XLR cables made for very narrow jack pitch?

 

[JustJones]

Hosa cables are fairly thin as they don’t have the metal sleeve on the TRS ends. Don't know what they measure but you could contact and ask them.

1/4 in TRS to XLR3M - Balanced Interconnect | Hosa Cables

Find Hosa Balanced Interconnects near you. We supply balanced interconnects with 1/4 in TRS to XLR3M connectors ideal for pro audio applications.

hosatech.com

 

[rolfrander]

Thank you, will check them out.

 

[lini]

Does anyone have any recommendations to where I can get TRS-to-XLR cables made for very narrow jack pitch?

Cordial CFM MV/FV family TRS <-> XLR male/female cables would appear to use the Neutrik/Rean NYS228(BG) on the TRS side, which according to Rean's drawing would have a shell diameter of 12.5 mm. So these should qualify.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[rolfrander]

Turns out there is a local deler carrying both Cordial and Hosa, so I found exactly what I needed. Thanks.

 

[Mr. Swordfish]

... the seller explained that "this is the standard width".
.

It is a standard width, but not the standard width.

That's the great thing about standards - we get to have so many of them.

 

[rolfrander]

I guess this is called for:

Standards

xkcd.com

 

[Panelhead]

Or whip up your own cable. The TRS plugs are narrow. There are smaller diameter XLR. The Amphenol TS3 series are my faves. The Neutrik TRS are close.
Same with XLR, after building many, many cables use only Neutrik and Amphenol connectors.
For wire, Canare Quad is great. But Sommer and Gotham are also top notch.

 

[Ropeburn]

For future reference: looks like you just had bad luck with those thick ones. TRS plugs are usually way more narrow than 18mm. What I could find quickly here:

Bottom two: Amphenol ACPS and Rean NYS 228, the rest is random old stuff. The yellow one is the widest with 12.5mm, the others all are 11-12mm. These are all cheap standard cables and plugs from various pro audio and electronics suppliers, none of which marked as "slimline" or anything.

Stands to reason 18mm is unusually thick. ~12mm is usual.

 

[mhardy6647]

I recently bought the SMSL C200 PRO for use as a small desktop DAC connecting USB to a pair of Neumann speakers. I chose this because at the time it was the cheapest I could find with optical and USB input, balanced output, headphone-jack and volume control.

However, the TRS connections are so close together that I have a hard time finding TRS-to-XLR-cables with TRS-jacks narrow enough. I have measured the offset between jacks to be approx 14.4 mm. I have bought cables which, judging by the image on the seller website was quite narrow, but was disapointed to find that the actual product had plugs the same with as XLS-connections. The upon request the seller explained that "this is the standard width".

Looking for alternatives I found the Neutrik NP3X. The product page states that:


So it seems this is both too wide for the SMSL, and the SMSL is designed with a smaller jack pitch than "recent requirements for highest density jackfields"

I have compared this with other small DACs, measuring on the official product photos and found:

Topping D10: 18,9 mm
MiniDSP Flex: 18,4 mm

Does anyone have any recommendations to where I can get TRS-to-XLR cables made for very narrow jack pitch?

Looking for alternatives I found the Neutrik NP3X. The product page states that:
The slimline shell with a width of 14.5 mm meets the most recent requirements for highest density jackfields (15.88 mm jack pitch).

jackfields... I learned a new word/neologism today!

Here's a jackfield for ya...


Actually, two jackfields, with two different pitches, in one small package.

 

[Ropeburn]

jackfields... I learned a new word/neologism today!

Here's a jackfield for ya...


Actually, two jackfields, with two different pitches, in one small package.

View attachment 514366

That looks really dense.

Inversely, usually dense people you need less density. In the military we used these bad boys:

10er ring exchange for field telephone. Be careful with switch timing, and you can eavesdrop without them noticing. Always remember: nobody is safe from the operator, especially not officers.