cable tangle

[2martinis]

I've read, and will continue to read, all the opinions about cables. I've experimented (a little) with interconnects. I've marveled at power cables that cost more than my amp. But I've never found a good answer to the tangly mess behind the cabinet. With an integrated amp and 6 inputs, it's a mess back there. And that's just the interconnects. Add the power cables and it's even worse.

I'm guessing that tying together cables, in a loom, is a bad idea, with induced signals, interference, etc. How about shortening interconnect cables by coiling or looping? Any problems there? What do you do with a 3 foot power cord that only needs to reach 1 foot? Or a 3 foot interconnect that only needs 9 inches?

 

[Robinhawaii]

If you are keeping the system as is, custom made interconnects would help tidy up the back end. I guess you could make a cover, painted flat black, perhaps out of 1/4" plywood, with vent holes for the back, to hide it if it is troublesome to you that the back is visible.

Take care,

Rob

 

[blhagstrom]

It's called "spacordi" and its just a fact of life.

Coiling is OK but don't coil signal cords with speaker wires or power cords.

Actually, random crossing is the best (spacordi). Laying all the wires parallel together is the worst.

 

[DC]

I have heard positive differences in my system (and others) with an effort to avoid close proximity of power cords and ICs or speaker cables. I simply make sure all power cords are routed away from ICs. I don't lose sleep over making the ICs themselves tidy, though it does help if they aren't too long. You can probably get away with a few loose turns of ICs but I would not combine/parallel multiple component cables together - I'd keep them all separate (just because) - and definitely no paralleling/coiling together of power cords and ICs.

 

[Mr. Lin]

Like they said, if power and interconnects cross, make it perpendicular if possible. Avoid coiling. Try your best to sort this out. Really the best thing would be to get shorter lengths and make it as neat as possible back there.

 

[240sx4u]

A fast solution to your power cord dilemma is buying some replacement plugs from parts express and cutting the cords shorter to install new ends. That will clean things up dramatically and it's easy work. The marinco ends are of very nice quality too, and not too costly.