• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

RCA cables.

LocoStereo

LocoStereo

Turn it up to 11!!!
RCA cables I’m sure have been discussed at great lengths here. Gold plated , oxygen free , double helix shielded, ultra rare copper infused , blah blah blah. Lol! Is there a real noticeable difference between using a standard well shielded set of connectors compared to a set that could run hundreds of dollars? The purpose of cables is to carry a signal that has minimum degradation, is well shielded and provides a signal path with the least amount of resistance, right? So at what point does it become pointless to spend crazy $$$$? Also, I’m running a set of RCA cables to
my subwoofer and I’ll need about 25’ is there any sort of formula used when running RCA cables at X amount of distance? Will standard RCA cables be sufficient? Thanks!
 
Register to hide this ad
I've also wondered how good sub-woofer cables must be. As you pointed out: proper shielding is important, especially for longer runs. I'll venture a guess that low frequencies aren't as susceptible to degradation as the rest of the spectrum.
 
For a long run like that i'd probably go for heavier shielding. Monoprice sells some inexpensive subwoofer cables made from RG/59U coax, which isn't good for interconnects due to lack of flexibility, but works well for long runs.
 
LocoStereo said:
I would imagine that I could use RG6 instead. I’m an a electrician and have lots of RG6 laying around.
Click to expand...
That's what I use for distributing line level audio from a single OTA / streaming setup to receivers in the rest of the house. Long runs. I attached the standard "F" connectors and use F to RCA adaptors.
 
So with RG6 so readily available to me, would it also make sense to make my own interconnect cables to use in between my components?
 
LocoStereo said:
So with RG6 so readily available to me, would it also make sense to make my own interconnect cables to use in between my components?
Click to expand...

Some don't like to use the typical CATV-type RG-6 for audio cables because the center conductor is typically CCS (copper clad steel) and aluminum wire braid.

There is RG-6 though that does have "real" copper core, like Belden 7915A but still it is aluminum braid.

1694A is very high quality RG-6 with copper core and braid but it is sorta stiff.

Belden 1505F is an RG-59 type and makes very good cables for audio, video, digital, etc. Stranded copper core and copper braid shield. Very low capacitance.
 
Fospower cables are inexpensive and have cleared up various noise problems, both in the home and in the car. Longest I've run has been 15'.
 
I wouldn’t think that CCS would have any noticeable difference in performance compared to the 1505F RG59. Maybe when it comes to digital, but for analog?
 
LocoStereo said:
I wouldn’t think that CCS would have any noticeable difference in performance compared to the 1505F RG59. Maybe when it comes to digital, but for analog?
Click to expand...
I'm guessing not. If it can handle UHF then there probably aren't any audio frequency issues. And if line level impedance is 600 ohms (traditionally) then the impedance of the CCS is probably not gonna cause any meaningful voltage drops.
 
loopstick said:
I'm guessing not. If it can handle UHF then there probably aren't any audio frequency issues. And if line level impedance is 600 ohms (traditionally) then the impedance of the CCS is probably not gonna cause any meaningful voltage drops.
Click to expand...

Whether or not it will have an effect one can discern at audio frequencies who knows, but at high frequencies CCS is cost savings because the cheap steel core with thin copper plating works just fine re. skin effect is predominant. But, I venture a guess you know that.

The bigger concern for a long cable IMO is the higher DC resistance of the aluminum braid. Heavier copper braid with lower DC resistance would better help against the noise ingress more typical for audio...hum, rather than RFI where the foil shields and such of RG-6 are more designed for.
 
If you buy some made up cables check them for continuity between the center pin and ground.
I had a new monoprice cable that had a short in it. about drove me nutz trying to figure out why
my system sounded so bad. checked my older cables and found another shorted one.
 
LocoStereo said:
So with RG6 so readily available to me, would it also make sense to make my own interconnect cables to use in between my components?
Click to expand...
I can't imagine using such stiff interconnects for short runs. Unless you're experiencing hum with your current wires, I'd leave them as-is.
 
whoaru99 said:
The bigger concern for a long cable IMO is the higher DC resistance of the aluminum braid. Heavier copper braid with lower DC resistance would better help against the noise ingress more typical for audio...hum, rather than RFI where the foil shields and such of RG-6 are more designed for.
Click to expand...
Seems to me that with the thick shields in RG-6 (especially if it's quad shield), you're still only talking about a fraction of an ohm in most cases. Not an expert, though, so feel free to correct me.
 
swechsler said:
Seems to me that with the thick shields in RG-6 (especially if it's quad shield), you're still only talking about a fraction of an ohm in most cases. Not an expert, though, so feel free to correct me.
Click to expand...

But expert enough to challenge? :)

Take it for what it's worth. Not sure I'd consider it an exceptionally "scientific" test but it is something more than most will ever take the time to do. And the results align with theory; bonus.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/articles/humrejection.htm
 
whoaru99 said:
Take it for what it's worth. Not sure I'd consider it an exceptionally "scientific" test but it is something more than most will ever take the time to do. And the results align with theory; bonus.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/articles/humrejection.htm
Click to expand...
It seems to me that that article confirms my suspicions. The cheapest RG-6 is going to be a braid plus a shield, and at 100' you're talking about < 0.3Ω. I suspect in almost all cases it will work well. Interestingly, the two best cables on their list were both RG-59 (albeit with dual copper braids).
 
swechsler said:
It seems to me that that article confirms my suspicions. The cheapest RG-6 is going to be a braid plus a shield, and at 100' you're talking about < 0.3Ω. I suspect in almost all cases it will work well.
Click to expand...

Actually, it says the double copper braid are best and foil is, in most cases, immaterial for audio cables.

Worst of all tested, the shielded twisted pair with one end floating. A popular recipe.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom