What cables do you use in your systems?

[restorer-john]

When picking cable what properties of the cable should one look at for good shielding? Many show a rating of capacitance in pF/ft. Is this relevant? If so is a higher or lower number better?

I've always gone for the best shield coverage and quality and looked for a low capacitance (measure it yourself) all in a flexible, soft and decent cable. Unless your runs are very long or your sources are low level, high impedance (phono etc) you don't have to worry too much at all.

No need to obsess on pF per foot at audio frequencies and short runs using line level sources IMO. Lower pF is better, but not if it comes at the expense of less/poor shielding.

Lots of cable these days is crap. Heaps of CCA (copper clad aluminium) masquerading as OFC, lots of tinfoil instead of 100% copper shielding and dubious quality dielectrics in coax.

Maybe an proper RF guru (Don) can weigh in and advise.

 

[Blumlein 88]

When picking cable what properties of the cable should one look at for good shielding? Many show a rating of capacitance in pF/ft. Is this relevant? Bluejeanscable website states a higher pF/ft number equates to higher frequency roll off. So a lower number is better?

I'd echo what Restorer John said. Good shielding isn't a bad thing, and it isn't necessary to get exotic cable or expensive cable to end up with good shielding. The Monoprice I use has 97% coverage copper braided shielding, I think it has a foil layer in there too. I wish it were a bit more supple, but for home use it is fine.

www.markertek.com , Blue jeans cables and similar places can provide good quality, pro level cables without breaking the bank. Interconnects at audio frequencies just aren't the problem they are made out to be. Speaker cables need to be large enough.

 

[Wombat]

Speaker Wires: Original Monster Cable, so old it's turned green. Interconnects: Some stuff my son left around the house when he went off to college 20 years ago. Due to their age these wires obviously have magical properties.

That green could be caused by plankton reproduction.

 

[Ron Texas]

That green could be caused by plankton reproduction.

That's why they sound exactly like $40,000 cables, LOL.

 

[Rod]

Here is proof that electrons flow better one way than the other way.

 

[Rod]

Got drunk one night and these were delivered two weeks later by a lady in a bikini.

 

[restorer-john]

Got drunk one night and these were delivered two weeks later by a lady in a bikini.

So you got a free stripper with your set of cables? Must have been a decent profit margin in them.

 

[Rod]

Ya I guess I checked special delivery. There 16 gauge wire though, so thats nice.

 

[Rod]

One thing about those one way cables, they grip tight. Hard to get them back out of the RCA socket. For that there A+.

 

[restorer-john]

One thing about those one way cables, they grip tight. Hard to get them back out.

Be careful, some of those really tight ones will pull off the outer sheath.

 

[Rod]

Yes, I am careful. I wiggle them out slowly so I dont break something.

 

[JP]

Speaker cable: Home Depot extension cord with ends cut off

I like Carol SJOOW. Stays where you put it.

I just love the Amphenol RCAs, they are a real quality product at a good price.

Those Amphenol are my go-to RCA.

 

[Blumlein 88]

That green could be caused by plankton reproduction.

Oh my. Our SBAF's will not only have burn in to worry about, but continued plankton reproduction and replenishment.

 

[Blumlein 88]

Got drunk one night and these were delivered two weeks later by a lady in a bikini.View attachment 18039

And you took a picture of the cables and not the woman in the bikini? What kind of prevert are you?

 

[Rod]

And you took a picture of the cables and not the woman in the bikini? What kind of prevert are you?

Wife answered the door. Had a lot of explaining to do and I dont think a camera would of helped.

 

[Wombat]

Be careful, some of those really tight ones will pull off the outer sheath.

You are talking about cables, huh?

 

[stunta]

Cables do make a difference. Some "high-end" cables have these "network boxes" that could be doing some weird stuff. In the audiophile industry, the more important question is not which cables to buy, but which cables to not buy.

 

[restorer-john]

You are talking about cables, huh?

Thanks Wombat, glad someone picked up my double entendre...

 

[Wombat]

I live next to a student dormitory, imagine the abundance of wifi, bluetooth, 3G, 4G and 5G signals i'm surrounded with. Better safe than sorry, hence shielded cables.

Seriously, if the airborne wireless signals were strong enough to affect the power cord operation then I would wear a tin-foil beanie and jock-strap until I found other accommodation.

 

[Patrick1958]

Seriously, if the airborne wireless signals were strong enough to affect the power cord operation then I would wear a tin-foil beanie and jock-strap until I found other accommodation.

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