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Cable for XLR interconnects

181.115.140.125
Posted on June 15, 2016 at 19:11:05
RIQUE
Audiophile

Posts: 128
Location: Florida
Joined: May 15, 2016
 I want to make my own DIY XLR interconnects. I am not sure if regular RCA cable will do or if special dedicated XLR cable is needed. I have stock Viablue cable that consists of a shielded signal strand, braided copper strand and an external stainless braided stand of wires.

Thanks.

 

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RE: Cable for XLR interconnects, posted on June 16, 2016 at 02:32:35
PAR
 Do you want to construct a single ended interconnect using XLR connectors or do you wnat to make a balanced interconnect for use with balanced output/input? Until we know the answer the question about the right cable cannot be answered. I would,however, say that if you know the answer to this and why then you should already understand what characteristics the cable needs.

 

RE: Cable for XLR interconnects, posted on June 16, 2016 at 05:44:05
RIQUE
Audiophile

Posts: 128
Location: Florida
Joined: May 15, 2016
 I want to construct a balanced XLR cable. I am not sure if the three wires required must all be shielded and thus my doubt if I can use the cable I have.

 

RE: Cable for XLR interconnects, posted on June 16, 2016 at 06:08:00
PAR
 I hope that this link will help.

The 3 conductor wires do not need to be shielded (only insulated). The cable should have a screen that connects to the connector's case. I have seen cables which use 2 conductors and connect the screen to pin 1 at both ends thus using it for screen and ground. Not recommended.

If you have a cable that has shielded conductors they can be used but then you would need to find a way of connecting the shields to the connector chassis (case) as per the usual screen. Can be done but much more fiddling around.

 

To answer directly: The wire you currently have would SUCK as a balanced IC, posted on June 16, 2016 at 10:54:09
Smelly_Socks
 The sort of wire you need would have TWO internal (best of spiral wrapped about each other) wires with an external shield which is used as the ground. The new wire could also have a 'extra' external wrap for protection (as your current wire does.. that stainless steel wrap should never be used for a signal.

Actually you can make a good balanced wire set with three wires. Two fo plus and minus spiral wrapped. Then the last one spiralled around the other two in th opposite spiral direction.. Not the same twist direction as the pair.
Any insulated copper wire will do.
I have a expensive system and use a Kimber braid of four for the plus and minus, and a separate wire spiral wrapped around the Kimber for the ground.
THe wire bulk Kimber cost me about $500 for my 30 ft run. But the next better thing is $3,000. IMO

Anyway, he wire the op has is totally NOT OK to use for a balanced IC.

 

RE: Cable for XLR interconnects, posted on June 16, 2016 at 15:19:43
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 I'm not sure about your description. I can't find reference to a ViaBlue cable with a stainless (steel?) braided shield. Perhaps it's a silver plated braided shield. If so, you seem to describe a coaxial cable with two braided shields, which won't function properly for an XLR cable application.

For typical home audio applications, a balanced line-level or AES/EBU digital XLR interconnect cable does not require shielding anymore than a single-ended unbalanced RCA interconnect cable does. Pin 1 can be left un-terminated without issue for typical home audio applications. An unshielded twisted pair cable is all that is required, with a recommended 110 ohm characteristic impedance cable for a balanced AES/EBU digital application.

 

Mogami Neglex 2549, posted on June 17, 2016 at 17:02:06
johnvb
Audiophile

Posts: 495
Joined: October 26, 2011
 with Neutrik NC3MXX-B/NC3FXX-B connectors on the ends.

 

RE: Mogami Neglex 2549, posted on June 17, 2016 at 17:24:17
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 I have a Mogami XLR cable and it is very good
Alan

 

RE: To answer directly: The wire you currently have would SUCK as a balanced IC, posted on June 17, 2016 at 18:24:45
RIQUE
Audiophile

Posts: 128
Location: Florida
Joined: May 15, 2016
 I have to agree. The cable I have is just for RCA application. Not all bad since I will use if to upgrade the cables on my Luxman PD375.

 

RE: Mogami Neglex 2549, posted on June 17, 2016 at 19:34:51
johnvb
Audiophile

Posts: 495
Joined: October 26, 2011
 When I first started with Mogami for balanced interconnects, I was using the star quad 4 wire version. Better shielded and more expensive, so it should be better right?

Then I read a reply on another forum from a Mogami rep stating that the sound quality of the 2 wire was better, the star quad should only be used in "extreme RF environments".

Gave the 2549 a try, and sure enough IMO it sounds better.

 

RE: Cable for XLR interconnects, posted on June 18, 2016 at 13:18:02
Dave Garretson
Audiophile

Posts: 2448
Joined: June 14, 2005
 Parts Connexion (DH-Labs sourced) Connex BL-Ag. Two teflon tape insulated solid silver conductors, a stranded steel ground wire, all wrapped in a spiral-wound aluminum foil shield. $16 per stereo ft.

 

RE: Cable for XLR interconnects, posted on June 22, 2016 at 04:55:25
mitch2
Audiophile

Posts: 1521
Location: Great Lakes
Joined: August 28, 2001
 Regarding the DH-Labs source, Connex BL-Ag - if you like silver, a better deal price-wise is hard to find. I have made balanced cables from those and they sounded quite good.

 

RE: Cable for XLR interconnects, posted on June 22, 2016 at 16:44:23
JURB
Audiophile

Posts: 2056
Location: North Ohio
Joined: May 29, 2016
 Look up LVDS for a good explanation of why XLR is better.

 

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