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What wire to build my own RCA interconnects?

For RCA interconnects, I am using RG-59 as a rule. For those who are saying that even the worst poorest cables may be used, then yes, however please read numerous posts in this forum when people are complaining about buzz and RFI pick-up. Each to his own, you get exactly what you have chosen.
 
Maty has linked some pages on the Star Quad architecture and Blue Jeans Cable gives a good brief overview of both RCA and speakers and digital cables from a technical point of view.

Basically, from my point of view, the matter can be summarized as follows:

Balanced cable: is set up with twisted pair or, even more interference-free, with Star Quad

RCA / Cinch cable: should be coaxial cable with the best possible shielding and low capacitance. This means that the higher-capacity Star Quad falls out.

Loudspeaker cable: it is recommended to have a low inductance, shielding is not necessary. Star Quad would be possible here.

Power cables: stay away from do-it-yourself when you don't know what you are doing. For electricians only! But there are many indications for a well-functioning cable ... I built this myself now ...;)

In addition to the low-capacity RCA cables mentioned here, I came across two other providers who are very interesting here in Germany / Europe.
http://www.funk-tonstudiotechnik.de/Audiokabel-analog.htm and Amazon Goobay 1.5m 2x cinch plug to 2x cinch plug HQ, black https://www.amazon.de/dp/B000LB7ZMO/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_9J86PJ9GK83XRH2GPTYK? psc = 1.
For this purpose http://www.hifi-forum.de/viewthread-26-24165-2.html
And something else for speaker cables here http://diyaudioprojects.com/Power/Low-Inductance-DIY-Speaker-Cables/

I like to use amphenol as a plug, I didn't like the Neutrik REAN that much.:rolleyes:

With these ingredients you can build yourself snake oil-free no nonsense audio cables or have them assembled. If you then also hear that it sounds better, it is all the more pleasant and if you do not hear anything, you can enjoy a technically good and sensible product that you may even have built yourself. In this respect, it is not bad at all if you are looking for components that you think are of higher quality, I am thinking here of Teflon-insulated cables or 'higher-quality' plugs or the welding process of Blue Jeans cable or silver solder for the connector. All of that makes something, in the worst case a wallet is empty and in the best case you have all the desired effects but the bottom line is that you did it right and that also gives a good feeling ...:):)
 
Chris M said:
Maty has linked some pages on the Star Quad architecture and Blue Jeans Cable gives a good brief overview of both RCA and speakers and digital cables from a technical point of view.

Basically, from my point of view, the matter can be summarized as follows:

Balanced cable: is set up with twisted pair or, even more interference-free, with Star Quad

RCA / Cinch cable: should be coaxial cable with the best possible shielding and low capacitance. This means that the higher-capacity Star Quad falls out.

Loudspeaker cable: it is recommended to have a low inductance, shielding is not necessary. Star Quad would be possible here.

Power cables: stay away from do-it-yourself when you don't know what you are doing. For electricians only! But there are many indications for a well-functioning cable ... I built this myself now ...;)

In addition to the low-capacity RCA cables mentioned here, I came across two other providers who are very interesting here in Germany / Europe.
http://www.funk-tonstudiotechnik.de/Audiokabel-analog.htm and Amazon Goobay 1.5m 2x cinch plug to 2x cinch plug HQ, black https://www.amazon.de/dp/B000LB7ZMO/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_9J86PJ9GK83XRH2GPTYK? psc = 1.
For this purpose http://www.hifi-forum.de/viewthread-26-24165-2.html
And something else for speaker cables here http://diyaudioprojects.com/Power/Low-Inductance-DIY-Speaker-Cables/

I like to use amphenol as a plug, I didn't like the Neutrik REAN that much.:rolleyes:

With these ingredients you can build yourself snake oil-free no nonsense audio cables or have them assembled. If you then also hear that it sounds better, it is all the more pleasant and if you do not hear anything, you can enjoy a technically good and sensible product that you may even have built yourself. In this respect, it is not bad at all if you are looking for components that you think are of higher quality, I am thinking here of Teflon-insulated cables or 'higher-quality' plugs or the welding process of Blue Jeans cable or silver solder for the connector. All of that makes something, in the worst case a wallet is empty and in the best case you have all the desired effects but the bottom line is that you did it right and that also gives a good feeling ...:):)
Click to expand...
Teflon is a technically inferior material for audio cables. Makes up for it by being more expensive.
 
If I understand it well Teflon cables are sometimes required in heavy-duty uses (I.e. military or scientific equipment) because of chemical and temperature resistance. But for normal household audio use... the planet will be happier if we avoid them whenever there is no good reason to use them...
 
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DonH56 said:
^^^ Agreed, of course. They are both solid center conductors by default but I have seen variants with stranded center conductors. These days a lot of the bulk cables are CCA; I tend to look for pure copper even though it is more costly, mainly because I keep a spool on hand and never know if the next patch cable I need to make is a 3' audio cable or 100' RF link.
Click to expand...

@DonH56 - I too prefer using pure copper. However, I need eight RCA cables where each cable will be 6 feet long. I am thinking of making the cables myself because I think it will be fun. Bought decent solderless RCA connectors and I have a whole roll of RG58C/U coaxial cable which I never used.

Just to clarify, I need the 8 RCA cables specifically for audio only.

A quick google search revealed the following about the cable I have:-

RG58C/U is a 50-ohm coaxial cable commonly used for radio frequency (RF) and low-power signal connections. It's characterized by its stranded tinned copper conductor, polyethylene (PE) insulation, and tinned copper braid shield. The outer jacket is typically made of black PVC.

Ultimately, is it better for me to purchase RG6 cable for better shielding and to avoid compromising audio fidelity?
 

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The bold text says the RG-58 is suitable for “low-power signal connections.” Audio usage would fall into that category. The main problem with RG cable is that it’s stiff and not terribly rack-friendly.

RG shielding, with braided spiral-wrap and foil, is as good as it gets. So, no reason to get the RG-6, unless maybe you live next door to a radio or TV broadcasting tower. RG-6 is even stiffer and thus less rack-friendly.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
 
Last edited:
Hey Wayne, nice to hear from you and thank you for your kind input. Some things that I realised after my initial post:-
  1. RG-6 is far too thick and will not work with my RCA connectors.
  2. RG-59 would be ideal and I have to inquire but I may be able to get one that has a copper core conductor and copper 95% braiding which I read is as good as quad-shielded RG-6. RG-59 would pass through my connectors and make the cable more flexible which would be ideal. Furthermore, RG-59 is specified at 75-ohms.
  3. Unfortunately, the RG-58C/U cable that I have is CCA (copper cladded aluminium).
I read somewhere on the forums that the cable impedance (50-ohm or 75-ohm) does not effect audio signals - is that true? I thought 75-ohms is better and recommended to retain treble frequencies.

To ensure max audio fidelity, should I settle for option 2 above? - hopefully, I'll get the pure copper version of RG-59.
 
Sam Ash said:
Hey Wayne, nice to hear from you and thank you for your kind input. Some things that I realised after my initial post:-
  1. RG-6 is far too thick and will not work with my RCA connectors.
  2. RG-59 would be ideal and I have to inquire but I may be able to get one that has a copper core conductor and copper 95% braiding which I read is as good as quad-shielded RG-6. RG-59 would pass through my connectors and make the cable more flexible which would be ideal. Furthermore, RG-59 is specified at 75-ohms.
  3. Unfortunately, the RG-58C/U cable that I have is CCA (copper cladded aluminium).
I read somewhere on the forums that the cable impedance (50-ohm or 75-ohm) does not effect audio signals - is that true? I thought 75-ohms is better and recommended to retain treble frequencies.

To ensure max audio fidelity, should I settle for option 2 above? - hopefully, I'll get the pure copper version of RG-59.
Click to expand...
Nothing surprises me about the stuff you read on other forums. It's utter rubbish. Characteristic impedance has no effect whatsoever at audio frequencies. It is only relevant at frequencies of the order of MHz and above, and it has to do with impedance matching and reflections/standing waves, nothing whatsoever to do with frequency response.

The only benefit I can think of for using 75 ohm cable is that is can be used for AES-3 or S-PDIF digital audio over longer distances. However, even for digital, on short cables as are the norm in home installations, any old piece of coax can be used even for digital.

S.
 
Sam Ash said:
Hey Wayne, nice to hear from you and thank you for your kind input. Some things that I realised after my initial post:-
  1. RG-6 is far too thick and will not work with my RCA connectors.
  2. RG-59 would be ideal and I have to inquire but I may be able to get one that has a copper core conductor and copper 95% braiding which I read is as good as quad-shielded RG-6. RG-59 would pass through my connectors and make the cable more flexible which would be ideal. Furthermore, RG-59 is specified at 75-ohms.
  3. Unfortunately, the RG-58C/U cable that I have is CCA (copper cladded aluminium).
I read somewhere on the forums that the cable impedance (50-ohm or 75-ohm) does not effect audio signals - is that true? I thought 75-ohms is better and recommended to retain treble frequencies.

To ensure max audio fidelity, should I settle for option 2 above? - hopefully, I'll get the pure copper version of RG-59.
Click to expand...
Why not just use tried-and-tested cables from Sommercable, Mogami, Canare, Cordial, etc.
You have plenty of options, from under €1 to €3, and they're not as stiff as the RG58/59.
 
I have cobbled together many interconnects over last 40 years. Started with Teflon insulated high temperature solid core with Vampire el cheapo plugs. Have used a lot of 6n single crystal from Michael Percy. All solid core.
Last ten years quit stuffing single wires down sleeves and switched to Canare, Gotham, and Sommer. Either quad or microphone.
Last dozen so RCA cables used only Sommer. Mostly SC-Club Red Zilk or Albedo.
Mainly have used Eichmann Bullet plugs, originals. But the AECO Star plugs are nice. The cheap knockoffs are not as nice, seem to sound and work as well.
I have not liked the new generation Eichmann plugs. Tried about three versions. The 20 cent looking originals are better.
 
Sam Ash said:
Hey Wayne, nice to hear from you and thank you for your kind input. Some things that I realised after my initial post:-
  1. RG-6 is far too thick and will not work with my RCA connectors.
  2. RG-59 would be ideal and I have to inquire but I may be able to get one that has a copper core conductor and copper 95% braiding which I read is as good as quad-shielded RG-6. RG-59 would pass through my connectors and make the cable more flexible which would be ideal. Furthermore, RG-59 is specified at 75-ohms.
  3. Unfortunately, the RG-58C/U cable that I have is CCA (copper cladded aluminium).
I read somewhere on the forums that the cable impedance (50-ohm or 75-ohm) does not effect audio signals - is that true? I thought 75-ohms is better and recommended to retain treble frequencies.

To ensure max audio fidelity, should I settle for option 2 above? - hopefully, I'll get the pure copper version of RG-59.
Click to expand...

I had forgotten that little tidbit about the size (diameter) of RG-6; good that you figured it out.

I haven’t seen much RG-59 with a copper braided shield – steel or aluminum is much more common.

That said - as others have noted, if you’re going to go buy some new cable, might as well get something audio-specific, like Canare GS-6 or GS-4 or equivalent. It’s more RCA friendly than RG, and very supple.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
 
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