DIY Interconnect

Hello all,

Sorry to bring this up again but the old posts about it were quite a while ago and I'm not sure if plugs etc. have changed at all.

Finally got around to upgrading one of my cables to replace an old JVC one which was far too long (5m). After a bit of juggling about, the spare cable wasn't long enough to stretch between the Video and AV amp

Before I start looking for a cheapo cable or put the JVC back on I thought I would look at the DIY option. Does anyone have any suggestions for some cheap cable (only need 1m) and some fairly decent plugs (which look nice)

Don't really want to spend more than £10-£15 for a little used video so the cheaper the better

Anyone have any suggestions

Sorry if this was a little long, only last paragraph is really needed but oh well!

Thanks

Andrew

 

Low loss satellite cables make good I/Cs. Available from places like Maplins.

You can use the crimp-on RCA plugs for co-ax or solder in the cable using the usual type of RCAs.

 

As it happens, I do have some spare Co-ax cable left over from a TV aerial set, I think it has the foil shield on it.

Would standard RCA's work on this cable?

Thanks

Andrew

 

Why Who's going to see them?

 

I have the TV on a wheely table so often it faces to a different side of the room and you can see all of the cables.

Not too bothered about the look as long as it doesn't look like a horrible DIY mess!!

Andrew

p.s. I also have some spare network cable, would this work or would the co-ax be better?

 

So far I have found the plugs at Maplins http://www.maplin.co.uk/products/module.asp?CartID=040910123858461&modulelist=36506,36514,36517

and Audionote http://www.audionote.co.uk/kits/connectors.htm (not sure where to buy them from though)

Any others I should be looking at, up to £10 as the cable is free

 

Try these phono plugs made for co-ax cables at Maplins



They come in different sizes to match 5,6.7 and 8mm dia. sleeving. Part no. JZ08 JZ09, JZ10, etc. Make sure to get the right size for your cable.

Fitting is a bit tricky first time.
Instructions and pics on how to use them here: http://evildonut.34sp.com/diy/maplin_plug.html
Slitting the foil in couple of places will help to fold it back nicely.
Finish off by applying a short length of heatshrink over the cable and half way up the plug. This will keep stresses away from the joint.

 

Thanks for the instructions, I have ordered the plugs and will post some pics when it is finished

Andrew

 

Made the cable yesterday, very easy thanks to the excellent instructions must have only taken 30 mins in total.

Results look very good, haven't had a good listen yet but will let you know what it sounds like and add some pictures when I get around to taking them

Thanks

Andrew

 

30 minutes! It took me more than an hour the first time.

This DIY stuff is fun though

You know about DIY projects at TNT Audio, Jon Risch and others?

 

I have looked at the TNT ones but don't know about any others.

Just bought a couple of sets of broken speakers to fix up as well, Rank Domus (new bass bin) and KEF Cantor II (new tweeter and add binding posts) which should be fun.

Would I have to do anything differently to make a digital cable or would it work the same (got the bug now!!)

Andrew

 

Low loss satellite cable is perfect for digital I/Cs. I also have a QED digital I/C that cost, I think, £40. Absolutely no difference. I also tried a £2 per meter coax, N61AR from Maplins. Silver plated, etc. Again no diffrence. Now planning to use it as an analogue I/C

Digital signal voltages can drop as much as 30% and its wave form deformed. But as long as there is a voltage of over 70% it will get clocked as 0 or 1.

Those BNC Clamp Connectors, Maplins FE99H are a pain to get to know.

DIY Websites:
http://www.geocities.com/jonrisch/index2.htm
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/doityour.htm
http://www.venhaus1.com/diycatfivecables.html
http://www.geocities.com/rjm003.geo/rjmaudio/index.html
http://www.audiotweaks.com/default.htm
Pure Silver I/C http://evildonut.34sp.com/main/index.html
DIY Forum http://www.diyaudio.com/
TNT Audio also have a forum at Yahoo.

There are many more!

 

Excellent I shall check those websites out.

I will try my cable as a digital one later because I think the cable I used was satellite stuff (it is German cable from Lidl so was very very cheap)

Looking forward to repairing these speakers as well, always nice to get some broken ones working. Will repair them, clean them up a bit and then sell them on (hopefully at a profit but break-even would do)

 

There is a sticky called "diy suppliers and info" in this section. Some links there under the subtitle 'speakers'