I am going to build some connectors for my pc audio, stereo and tv. The existing wiring is broken on a few of the joints. (the cheapo wiring that comes with the components)
Is there any particular wiring or cabling I should be using for this task. These connections are only going to be around 6 feet at the longest.
Full Version: Building some interconnects
depends what type of interconnects, but I always suggest "lamp cord"
Some use cat 5e ethernet cable for this kind of usage.
QUOTE(Latexxx @ Jan 14 2005, 02:40 AM)
Some use cat 5e ethernet cable for this kind of usage.
These suggestions sound good.
Actually I am making several connections, the primary being a mini plug to two rca for my headphone amp to soundcard.
The next are going to be just plain old speaker wires for my 4.1 speakers (I am using lamp cord already but need to re-do the connectors.
The other connections are for dvd player to receiver, pre-amp to amp etc.
Thanks for the ethernet cable idea.
Typical ethernet cable (twisted-pair, UTP type) is not adequate for interconnects, because it's unshielded. This ethernet cable would be better for balanced connections, but consumer audio equipment is unbalanced, and relies on shielding for interference rejection.
IMO better just buy some unexpensive coaxial cable. If you can, check that both shield and core aren't very thin, so that the cable won't break easily and shield coverage is acceptable.
IMO better just buy some unexpensive coaxial cable. If you can, check that both shield and core aren't very thin, so that the cable won't break easily and shield coverage is acceptable.
QUOTE(KikeG @ Jan 15 2005, 04:35 AM)
Typical ethernet cable (twisted-pair, UTP type) is not adequate for interconnects, because it's unshielded. This ethernet cable would be better for balanced connections, but consumer audio equipment is unbalanced, and relies on shielding for interference rejection.
IMO better just buy some unexpensive coaxial cable. If you can, check that both shield and core aren't very thin, so that the cable won't break easily and shield coverage is acceptable.
IMO better just buy some unexpensive coaxial cable. If you can, check that both shield and core aren't very thin, so that the cable won't break easily and shield coverage is acceptable.
I don't understand what you mean by shielded vs unshielded? I grabbed some ethernet 5e from one of our tech guys at work and when looking at it there are 8 little wires inside that are insulated.
What does shielded cable look like?
QUOTE(iluminatae @ Jan 15 2005, 06:14 AM)
What does shielded cable look like?
Shielded would have either metal foil or weave surrounding the wires. On unbalanced line the shield is typically used as the ground connection.
Twisted pair removes the need for shielding.
Only in balanced connections.
Possibly I don't understand,
but I'd say shielding is always necessary (at least useful). A cylinder of metal around the inner wire is the only way of protecting a conductor from being an 'antenna'.
Speaker cables are usually unshielded (the expensive ones are) because the currents are much higher and they're not used for copying, thus no permanent error is introduced.
but I'd say shielding is always necessary (at least useful). A cylinder of metal around the inner wire is the only way of protecting a conductor from being an 'antenna'.
Speaker cables are usually unshielded (the expensive ones are) because the currents are much higher and they're not used for copying, thus no permanent error is introduced.
QUOTE(precisionist @ Jan 17 2005, 11:47 AM)
Possibly I don't understand,
but I'd say shielding is always necessary (at least useful). A cylinder of metal around the inner wire is the only way of protecting a conductor from being an 'antenna'.
but I'd say shielding is always necessary (at least useful). A cylinder of metal around the inner wire is the only way of protecting a conductor from being an 'antenna'.
The cable would be an antenna, but the idea of twisted pair is the aggressor signal will affect both conductors equally. With a balanced input, the circuit should only react to the difference signal (your audio) , and reject what is called the common mode signal (the interference).
Sorry, I should post after having a few pints. I do use twisted pair, but quad with the second pair as the "shield" or "drain"
QUOTE(DonP @ Jan 17 2005, 10:04 PM)
QUOTE(precisionist @ Jan 17 2005, 11:47 AM)
Possibly I don't understand,
but I'd say shielding is always necessary (at least useful). A cylinder of metal around the inner wire is the only way of protecting a conductor from being an 'antenna'.
but I'd say shielding is always necessary (at least useful). A cylinder of metal around the inner wire is the only way of protecting a conductor from being an 'antenna'.
The cable would be an antenna, but the idea of twisted pair is the aggressor signal will affect both conductors equally. With a balanced input, the circuit should only react to the difference signal (your audio) , and reject what is called the common mode signal (the interference).
That's true, but CMR can only do so much. In practical applications using analogue signals, balanced transmission still uses shielded cable. Take a look at any decent quality microphone cable and you'll find very good shielding. Better to avoid as much interference as possible to start with.
Unshielded twisted pair is only sensible in digital transmission (eg. Etherneet over Cat5), where as long as the S/N ratio is high enough, the bits can be recovered.
And for unbalanced analogue signals (ie. as used in 99% of consumer audio), unshielded cable is absolutely unacceptable at line level, whether it's twisted or not.
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