What wire to build my own RCA interconnects?

[SIY]

This would effect levels but may be negligible.

It would have to be a lot more significant to even rate as "negligible."

 

[Ropeburn]

Thanks @Ropeburn - So at 6 feet the level drop would be completely negligible.

Hence, the notion that copper enables better treble frequencies is not true, right?

The fractional attenuation is linear - is that correct?

Well, I pulled those numbers out of my arse for illustrative purposes, but the difference between CCA and copper in this context is really that low or even less. Besides, even if you lost 0.1 or even 1dB in the cable (which you don't), it wouldn't matter at all in practice.

And indeed, for any line level cable to noticeably act as lowpass, it needs to be really long, way longer than in the usual home stereo scenario. Even music studios and concert installations with cable runs of dozens and sometimes 100-200 meters don't run into that problem. Physics are firmly on our side here.

 

[SIY]

Hence, the notion that copper enables better treble frequencies is not true, right?

From an electrical point of view, conductor material is absolutely irrelevant. A few years back, Michael Mardis posted files comparing copper to a potato. Not one person was able to tell them apart in an ABX test.

 

[Sam Ash]

Thank you @SIY and @Ropeburn for the profound and interesting clarifications.

I can now proceed to build 6-feet RCA cables using the RG-58C/U cable that I have.

CORRECTION - I just realised that RG-58C/U cable has a tinned copper core and tinned copper braid.

 

[sam_adams]

Thank you @SIY and @Ropeburn for the profound and interesting clarifications.

I can now proceed to build 6-feet RCA cables using the RG-58C/U cable that I have.

CORRECTION - I just realised that RG-58C/U cable has a tinned copper core and tinned copper braid.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that cable for interconnect use. Belden 8262 is the equivalent cable for what you have and is considered mil-spec. Stop worrying and start soldering.

 

[Sokel]

Thank you @SIY and @Ropeburn for the profound and interesting clarifications.

I can now proceed to build 6-feet RCA cables using the RG-58C/U cable that I have.

CORRECTION - I just realised that RG-58C/U cable has a tinned copper core and tinned copper braid.

The far most important thing about building your own cables are the means to check them after you're done.
A DMM is mandatory to see if there's any shorts, etc.

Do not measure them only in series but in parallel too, I have seen horror stories this way, no matter the price.

 

[Ropeburn]

The far most important thing about building your own cables are the means to check them after you're done.
A DMM is mandatory to see if there's any shorts, etc.

Do not measure them only in series but in parallel too, I have seen horror stories this way, no matter the price.

That's actually the single biggest reason why I always make cables, even before price. Too much garbage out there that's shoddily made. Cough Audioquest cough

Nobody needs frustration from a simple cable.

 

[Sam Ash]

@Sokel and @Ropeburn - a DMM makes a lot of sense. I got one from AliExpress which I think will be useful and a good tool to have.

After making the cables, I presume one needs to check the following:-

1. Centre to centre conductor continuity.
2. Outer to outer conductor continuity.
3. centre to outer non-continuity.

 

[Sokel]

@Sokel and @Ropeburn - a DMM makes a lot of sense. I got one from AliExpress which I think will be useful and a good tool to have.

After making the cables, I presume one needs to check the following:-

1. Centre to centre conductor continuity.
2. Outer to outer conductor continuity.
3. centre to outer non-continuity.

Yes.
Make sure the third one is closer to infinity as possible. measure with the resistance function too.

 

[Sam Ash]

Yes.
Make sure the third one is closer to infinity as possible. measure with the resistance function too.

@Sokel - Thank you for highlighting that. Went through a couple of YouTube videos to understand how to use the infinite resistance technique. Essentially I need to see OL or I displayed on the DMM display when I execute the non-continuity test.

 

[Sokel]

@Sokel - Thank you for highlighting that. Went through a couple of YouTube videos to understand how to use the infinite resistance technique. Essentially I need to see OL or I displayed on the DMM display when I execute the non-continuity test.

...or something into MΩ or high hundred thousands Ohm.
Make sure you don't touch them yourself while measuring as this could have a effect too.