|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
24.17.164.100
In Reply to: RE: DIY Newbie/Low Budget Interconnects posted by Capt. Z on February 15, 2011 at 17:38:17
Rather than going too slowly up the price range, I would recommend doubled (plus a bit more if need be) cost increments for more notable DIY betterment. At the cost of a bit over $50 per 1m pair, I would suggest Neotech NEI-3004 UPOCC (single crystal copper) bulk interconnect cable terminated with Vampire LRCA8 rca connectors. Best price found DIY parts available from Take Five Audio:
Neotech NEI-3004 UPOCC (Single Crystal Copper) Bulk Interconnect Cable:
/http://www.takefiveaudio.com/mall/shopexd.asp?id=887
Vampire LRCA8 RCA Connectors:
/http://www.takefiveaudio.com/mall/shopexd.asp?id=413
Follow Ups:
Do they just leave the room unheated over there in Canada??
Actually TakeFiveAudio.com now offers their own Pre-Terminated RCA Interconnect Cables at a great value using the same components you have recommended (Neotech NEI-3004 and Vampire LRCA8 RCA). They also have a balanced one using Neotech NEI-3001 terminated with Neotech's own UPOCC RCA connectors.
I mention this because I have ordered one of their digital interconnects for SPDIF using Neotech ND021090 terminated with Vampire 9X/CB Copper Alloy RCA connectors, which you also recommended in a previous post. They also have a digital interconnect using Neotech NEVD-2001 Xhadow Silver plated Copper Alloy RCA connectors. I was going to DIY but these were such a good value I couldn't resist.
Edits: 02/20/11
Duster;
Great suggestions so far.
What would be the next step up in DIY IC cable?
The next level DIY suggestion at a bit over $100 per 1m pair: VH Audio Pulsar Cu bulk interconnect cable (featuring a solid core fine gauge pure copper signal conductor with a FEP Teflon dielectric) terminated with Furutech FP-126(G) rca connectors (featuring a gold plated PCOCC copper center pin). IME, the particular build presents a very musical sonic signature while providing great speed and a very low noise floor.
VH Audio Pulsar Cu Bulk Interconnect Cable:
http://www.vhaudio.com/wire.html#vhpulsar
Furutech FP-126(G) RCA Connectors:
http://www.vhaudio.com/connectors-rcaxlr.html#FurutechRCA
Hi Duster,
Since I have been following you posts, I would assume that the next step up would be to keep the Furutech FP-126(G) RCA Connectors and upgrade the cables to VH Audio Spectrum Cu. Is that correct?
Dave
Yes, that's an excellent next step, Dave. VH Audio Spectrum Cu bulk interconnect cable terminated with Furutech FP-126(G) rca connectors would indeed be my next suggestion. I find the Spectrum Cu to have a "same family" sonic signature as the Pulsar Cu, but just downright higher performance in all ways audiophilia ;-) Cover the cable with 1/4" Techflex Clean Cut sleeving, and use a bit of heat shrink at the rca connecter entry point area for proper strain relief, as the Spectrum Cu cable cable while quite durable is so flexible ("bendy") due to the mechanical vibration dampening elastomer jacket that it would be a smart thing to add some basic strain relief.
You really have laid out a great DIY path from basic to SOTA. You should do the same with speaker cables. Of course speaker cables get more complex with the widely divergent amp and speaker interactions.
Dave
Some great ideas from you and on the VH audio site.
How about an idea of a 'top of the line' DIY IC WITHOUT going overboard?
Maybe some silver cables?
Thanks Duster for another great pointer to some good DIY ICs.
I have heard differences in cables, so I am a believer that cables have an influence on sound.
However, I never had the chance to try different RCA connectors. Are they as different in sound than cables can be?
Also, I got some RCA connectors that look just like Cardas ICs, but I was told by the seller, that they are not Cardas. Wonder how they fair in quality.
Connectors vary in performance level and sonic signature as much as cables do. It can either be a daunting task or just plain fun (or both) to find out what the differences are.
As to the Cardas look-alike, you may be mentioning a product that I've seen on eBay. I don't know how they sound (nor what the build quality is).
Yes the guy who sold me those Cardas look alike mentioned that he got them of ebay. Interestingly they look exactly the same as the real Cardas ICs I have on my phono wire. May be the same basic material, but with a different plating.
Post a Followup:
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: