XLR Interconnects

[rcstevensonaz]

Just make sure you burn that shit in real good per their instructions
View attachment 122639

When I read through their materials, this statement seems to be all about minimizing returns (via Amazon) and managing the overall return process. The impression was that the 175 hours has nothing to do with effect on the cable, and everything to do with the amount of time it spends in the customer's possession ... perhaps to help incent the customer to be sure to actually try the cables, get past the psycho-acoustic break in period (not a physical break in), and ultimately decide to keep them.

That said, while the 175 hours might often kick a person out of Amazon's 30 days return, WBC appears to maintain a great return policy. Their commitment is that if you have actually used the cable long enough (e.g., 175 hours) and still think it is "inferior audio quality", they will accept your return due to customer dissatisfaction.

Sadly, while those of us on ASR will scoff, the inclusion of the "break in notice" probably also increases the perception that WBC produces audiophile-grade cables in the eyes of many audiophiles out there. They will believe WBC "gets it", while not realizing it is really a business-driven strategy. (Of course, the above is all my opinion; I do not have any direct info from WBC on why they choose to include the 175 hour break in notice)

 

[JG2020]

Why not shop local - good selection here and adequate for home audio.

https://www.rubbermonkey.co.nz/Music-Audio/Cables-Connectors/Mic-XLR-Cables

 

[concorde1]

I just cancelled the order for those cables lol

Why not shop local - good selection here and adequate for home audio.

https://www.rubbermonkey.co.nz/Music-Audio/Cables-Connectors/Mic-XLR-Cables

That's where I found the Kopul cables

If I get the Kopul cables should I go for 95% 98% 99% shielding?

 

[RobS]

Yeah don't use higher capacitance cables if you can avoid it because it can roll off the HF, make the sound dull and lose detail. I switched out my star quad cables recently and noticed a bump in resolution and more treble.

 

[Speedskater]

Any cable manufacture suggesting burn-in time for a cable, automatically disqualifies that manufacture from consideration.

 

[JG2020]

If I get the Kopul cables should I go for 95% 98% 99% shielding?

For a short run for home audio 95% shielding should be good enough.

 

[Speedskater]

Cable capacitance is not a consideration for XLR interconnects shorter than one thousand feet. For some types of microphones, it might be a few hundred feet.

 

[concorde1]

Yikes the 100% spiral shield Mogami Gold XLR 3 foot is $90 for ONE cable.

 

[concorde1]

I think I might buy four of these:
https://www.rubbermonkey.co.nz/Kopu...phone-Cable-1-0-3-m-Black?fromCategoryId=1420
Because the 5000 series is quad conductor and I don't think I want that.
Thoughts?

For a short run for home audio 95% shielding should be good enough.

Even if it is overkill.

 

[Speedskater]

Star-Quad is almost never needed in residential environments, in fact the pros only use it in worst case situations.

 

[concorde1]

The Kopul's range from 12.60 USD for 92% dual-spiral shielding; to 28 USD for 99% TAC shielding.

19.60 USD for 95% and Neutrik's. (92% has no Neutrik's.)

Should I just get the 95% one? It's for 1 ft.

 

[Slayer]

I like using the xlr cables form Audioblast, you can get them on Amazon and the prices are hard to beat. They have bundles of 4 for great prices.
While they seem to promote the starquad version, they all make cables using mogomi, canare etc. The company themselves is top notch.

I hade a bad solder joint once ( only once ), they responded almost instantly, apologized and sent me 3 pair of various made cables ( overnighted them ), mogomi, canare and some straquads. Lifetime warranty no questions asked. I recommend these to everyone i know and they are all very happy. They will make any cable you need, of any configuration you can possibly think of. This company probably has the best customer service dept i have ever dealt with.

 

[JSmith]

https://www.monoprice.com/category/cables/pro-audio-cables/microphone-cables-(xlr-cables)



JSmith

 

[concorde1]

I like using the xlr cables form Audioblast

I'm skeptical. I want to buy into their claims but not sure.

Also, they are affiliated with World's Best Cables.

 

[concorde1]

Well I think I'll just make my own. It seems if I want fancy connectors like Neutrik then it's much cheaper to solder them. I am thinking I'll just buy 4m of Mogami W2549 cable, split into 4, and buy the Neutrik connectors separately. I'm reluctant to go with Mogami as they seem snake-oil-like with their "Gold" and "Platinum" lineups, but I can't find any other OFC cable.

Forgive my ignorance but, this cable has 2 conductors. How are you meant to wire to the ground on the Neutrik if there's no 3rd conductor?

 

[JSmith]

but I can't find any other OFC cable

Mate all copper used for wiring and cables is "OFC"... and no copper is every completely oxygen free, it's another snake oil scam on unsuspecting customers, as it means nothing in relation to the conductivity when used as speaker wire.

The high-end speaker wire industry markets oxygen-free copper as having enhanced conductivity or other electrical properties that are supposedly advantageous to audio signal transmission. In fact, conductivity specifications for common C11000 (ETP) and higher-cost C10200 Oxygen-Free (OF) coppers are identical;[12] and even the much more expensive C10100 has only a one percent higher conductivity—insignificant in audio applications.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen-free_copper

https://westlakepro.com/oxygen-not-included-oxygen-free-cables-worth-added-cost/

Aren't you glad you're on ASR now?



JSmith

 

[MrOtto]

This is also a favorite, they evaluate specs for every cable towards it's use: https://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/balancedaudio/index.htm
They only used cables with complete specs and no snake oil claims.

 

[concorde1]

Mate all copper used for wiring and cables is "OFC"... and no copper is every completely oxygen free, it's another snake oil scam on unsuspecting customers

Thank you.

Confirming I am going to make my own Mogami 2549 / Neutrik cables. Even those raw parts were a healthy sum of 57 USD (converted), yikes.

3 metres of 2549; 4 male and 4 female Neutrik XLR's.

 

[LTig]

.Forgive my ignorance but, this cable has 2 conductors. How are you meant to wire to the ground on the Neutrik if there's no 3rd conductor?

Use the shield.

 

[LTig]

Yeah don't use higher capacitance cables if you can avoid it because it can roll off the HF, make the sound dull and lose detail. I switched out my star quad cables recently and noticed a bump in resolution and more treble.

How long was that cable and how large is the output impedance of the source?