Diy phono [rca] plugs

Discussion in 'DIY Discussion' started by zanash, May 17, 2008.

  1. zanash

    zanash

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    So after googling the above title I got 120000 hits in 0.1 seconds ...

    a quick scan of the first 30 results shows that none so far are home made rca plugs ....

    I do know people have tried in the past using o rings and the like ...but nobody seems to have made a simple good sounding plug ....except me !

    So this is what you can do ....

    cut a 20mm length of 9mm copper pipe ...I used a pipe cutter the sort that looks like the cutting head of a safety can opener mated with a clamp.

    cut four of these little fellas ....sit these in cillit bang for a couple hours and then polish.

    using a dremel or hack saw ...cut a slot 5mm from the end and 7mm long parallel to the end then a slot to form a T with the one you have just cut ...turn it over and repeat

    you have just made the ground clamp .... its a good idea to offer up a socket and make certain they slide on ....don't widen with pliers let the clamp open under pressure.

    on the other end make one T shaped slot ...this will form the cable crimp

    Make a dowel 7mm long and the same dia as the internal dia of the tube ....mine was 7mm ....drill a 3mm hole along its axis

    cut a suitable length approx 12mm of 3mm dia copper solid core wire to form the centre pin. Fit into dowel and glue [appoxy]. I've used a folded length of 1.5mm dia silver[4n]

    to build

    solder the signal wire to the centerpin and dowel and fold back the ground wire .
    slide this into the copper pipe with the slots crimping down the T section to contact the ground and hold everything in place.. you can add a drop of solder too if you need. ....you can heat shrink if you want

    job done !

    cost £18 for 10m of 9mm copper pipe I'd got the wire laying around to make the pin ....dowel was a couple of quid.

    how do they sound ......?

    At least as good as any of my commercial plugs ... but not as pretty
     
    zanash, May 17, 2008
    #1
  2. zanash

    Tenson Moderator

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    Any pics?
     
    Tenson, May 17, 2008
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  3. zanash

    sq225917 Exposer of Foo

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    Pete 47labs have something vaguely similar.
     
    sq225917, May 17, 2008
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  4. zanash

    zanash

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    wiffey has the camera .......

    but will put something up on her return ....

    47 labs ? will check to make certain its not the same

    do you mean .....

    http://www.sakurasystems.com/products/47cabling.html

    As this is cut from copper pipe and theres is soft plastic ....
     
    zanash, May 18, 2008
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  5. zanash

    sq225917 Exposer of Foo

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    that's the one, pressing the cable to the plugs.
     
    sq225917, May 18, 2008
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  6. zanash

    Hamilton

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    I've been experimenting with this myself recently, starting with 3D Sonics 'Zero-connector' design (see a previous thread here) which was itself inspired by the 47 labs cables. I've found they sounded very good indeed but have just made up a pair using 2 inch lengths of the low loss satelite cable moulding plus o-rings to form 'plugs' combined with winding the wires in spirals around a piece of plastic tube (in the manner of the VHAudio 'fine silver' i/c's) to make up the bulk of the length of interconnects. IMHO these sound even a bit better in terms of detail and transient response. Can't honestly say I can hear a difference from my VH fine silvers with Silver bullets, which are my reference. Very pleased and cost less than a tenner for a 1m pair. Only problem is I don't think they'll wear very well if plugged/unplugged frequently. Does anyone know if you can buy the 47 labs plastic mouldings seperately?
     
    Hamilton, May 20, 2008
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  7. zanash

    DEWAUDIO

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    Any photos yet? I myself have pondered the idea of DIY RCA plugs...
     
    DEWAUDIO, May 31, 2008
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  8. zanash

    Sonusthree Coaxial Kid

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    Sonusthree, May 31, 2008
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  9. zanash

    zanash

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    damn ...yes said I do some I'll try and get my hands on the camera
     
    zanash, Jun 1, 2008
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  10. zanash

    DEWAUDIO

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    Here is my 1st DIY RCA plug made to the Bullet-Plug concept. Hopefully I will have a stereo set of cables at the end of the day.

    First photo: It fits and conducts!
    Second photo: Wooden center pin with a copper conductor running down the side - same with the wooden barrel.
     

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    DEWAUDIO, Jun 1, 2008
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