The KillerDAC Audio forum
General HIFI => Cables => Topic started by: ozmillsy on May 04, 2014, 09:17:44 AM
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Most of us dabble in making DIY interconnects from time to time. This thread is to share pics of your work.
I've havent made a pair of cables for AGES, just dont have the time.
But I had a need for a short pair of interconnects, and I didnt have any spare sets lying around of the right length. So,,,,, that prompted me to dig out the box of spare parts, and make a pair.
Always looking to try new things. This time, I went with 20awg Neotech for the signal (left over wire I had from my speaker cable set, which I am still using BTW). Not the preferred gauge for interconnects, but it was on hand. I stripped the teflon coating and inserted the bare neotech wire into some wider teflon tubing. And for ground, I used 3 x cat5 wires, again stripped down to bare wire and inserted into teflon tubing. These 4 strands of wire were then braided.
For connectors, I just used some spare gold plated connectors I had lying around. Cheap stuff, I bought a long time ago.
I started digging for parts around 10pm'ish 1 night earlier in the week, and I finished making them around 1.30am in the morning. Time just flies when making cables. I'd forgotten how fiddly the job is, and how slow I am at making them. :-[
Here they are;
(http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1370915/Audio/Interconnects/20140504_084734.jpg)
I put them on the spare system, and,,,,,,, :-X :-X :-X . I was over tired and under whelmed.
Left that system on repeat for 3 days, then listened again, and I have to say, after some burn in they're sounding pretty good for a set I just whacked together late 1 night. Amazing the difference a little running in makes.
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I'm pretty happy with the way those little baby IC's are sounding, so I am venturing into a longer version.
- Pure Harmony plugs
- Signal wire 1xNeotech 20AWG stripped nude, and fed into wider Teflon tube.
- Ground wire 3xCAT5 stripped nude, fed into Teflon tube
- 4 wire braid
Spent last night stripping the wires and tubing them up. Plugs arrived today. Will do the soldering tonight, and running in over the weekend.
Pics to follow soon. :)
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Hi ozmillsy, really looking forward to the result :)
They recommend >200hrs Burn-in... do you think the w/e will be enough running in? ... and is the wire run-in or new?
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They recommend >200hrs Burn-in... do you think the w/e will be enough running in? ... and is the wire run-in or new?
The wire is new, and you are probably right. But I cant wait that long, before I hear what they sound like. ;)
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Klotz AC-110 cable + Amphenol plugs.
Wire stripped. Shiny real copper guys!!
(http://i59.tinypic.com/t82kxy.jpg)
Prepared into the plug
(http://i57.tinypic.com/2ng6152.jpg)
Soldered into place
(http://i62.tinypic.com/wrkun5.jpg)
One pair done and ready for action!
(http://i61.tinypic.com/28sbjab.jpg)
They have just replaced a pair of vintage cheap-series Accuphase interconnects! ;D
(http://i57.tinypic.com/s5cks5.jpg)
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Nice cables T !
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Just finished my pair. Here is my dodgy phone shot, too tired to make it try and look better, :)
(http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1370915/Audio/Interconnects/20140531_003906.jpg)
Now on the SS system, running in. [yawn]
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Nice work Oz!
Since I felt I was on a roll, I ended up making another pair of interconnects tonight with the remaining Klotz wire. Found a pair of DIY braided silver interconnects lying around which had bullet plugs that I could salvage. I have tried these silver interconnects in every location on my system and can't say I was a fan of what they did. Just didn't gel.
leftover klotz wire, next to DIY braided silver interconnects with copper bullet plugs.
(http://i61.tinypic.com/29qfi1z.jpg)
sexy braiding. unfortunately did not give sexy sound on my system.
(http://i61.tinypic.com/m93ps7.jpg)
bullet plugs removed and ready to be reused.
(http://i60.tinypic.com/x4rns.jpg)
let the soldering begin!
(http://i61.tinypic.com/5nn8zn.jpg)
Another pair done. What have they replaced? Tara Labs Prism 5500i cables (cheap stuff)!
(http://i59.tinypic.com/ei1swn.jpg)
(http://i57.tinypic.com/qybgjc.jpg)
Left system on running in cables. Productive night for DIY interconnects! ;D
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Well done with those bullets Tuyen, that ground wire tag is small, and its effing fiddly to get a clean join.
The other DIY tip Mario gave me WRT bullets, is to attach them to an old component when you are doing the soldering, so the heat from the solder transfers.
If the soldering iron lingers too long, the plastic on the plug can soften.
Nice work man, I like it. After running in, you must report back how they are sounding.
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My DIY learnings from this latest set.
* the new harmony plugs are a dream to work with. The tags are soo much easier, KLE has used a new heat resistant plastic. 2 screws to hold the wire, etc.
* the only issue I had with the plugs is the rubbery grommet thingy that seals the end of the plug, it's a little soft and 1 of 4 tore a little when I fed it over my braid. Be careful with it.
* I should of measured up all of my components before starting. I ran out of teflon tubing for my cat5 ground wires, and had to use a smaller size for 1 IC. The end result is aesthetics, 1 cable looks thicker than the other. They should sound identical.
I am going to have to redo them when I get more tubing, because I have psychological problems and everthing HAS to look the same. 8) :-\
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Nice work Oz!
Since I felt I was on a roll, I ended up making another pair of interconnects tonight with the remaining Klotz wire. Found a pair of DIY braided silver interconnects lying around which had bullet plugs that I could salvage. I have tried these silver interconnects in every location on my system and can't say I was a fan of what they did. Just didn't gel.
Left system on running in cables. Productive night for DIY interconnects! ;D
Nice job Tuyen!
I quite like those Klotz cables...
Rega used to sell ICs made from the Klotz La Grange and Neutrik plugs, the AC110 is meant to replace the discontinued La Grange I believe
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Thanks D.
Yah, I haven't looked too much into the Klotz, but from a little online reading, I think you are right. The Klotz La Grange seems like very popular in the guitar world. "high perfomance' cable for 'real world price'.
Initial impressions after 12hrs running, very clear/'direct', dynamic, 'full'/'rich' sounding. Possibly ever so slightly edgy/unrefined. Might go away after more hours? Not fussed if it doesn't. My ears will probably adjust to it anyway :)
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My ears will probably adjust to it anyway :)
Yes this is an issue when powers of discrimination fade with increased exposure. Just why anyone would chose this route I find strange.
V
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Hi vitavoxdude, once I have heard a better sound, especially high resolution, low distortion, high harmonic textured sound, I find it is very difficult for my ears to enjoy a lesser sound.
I generally find that if I have to enjoy a lesser sound that I do not listen for very long and probably end up listening to the radio or watching TV.
Something that distracts my ears from listening to the lesser sound.
Our ears can be quite tolerant though, although mine don't seem to be after they have heard something better... thanks :)
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Initial impressions after 12hrs running, very clear/'direct', dynamic, 'full'/'rich' sounding. Possibly ever so slightly edgy/unrefined. Might go away after more hours?
Yes, definitely they should smooth out with running in. Sounds like a good start though.
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Just finished my pair. Here is my dodgy phone shot, too tired to make it try and look better, :)
(http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1370915/Audio/Interconnects/20140531_003906.jpg)
Now on the SS system, running in. [yawn]
Hi ozmillsy, how are they sounding with the Pure Harmony plugs... thanks :)
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Just looking at that photo again, I like how the copper shimmers through the opaque Teflon. :)
I snuck an early listen to them on Sat night. They were less veiled than the IC's they replaced (in the spot from Dac to pre), nothing stood out to tell me they were not sounding any good.
I listened to them for about an hour, then put them back onto the run-in system, where I will leave them for another week or so.
The true test will be when I take them to Stevens, and compare it to his 5000s. Don't know if I want to do that, could burst my bubble. :P
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I don't see anything wrong with having a reference component (be it usually a commercial product) that interests both yourself and others to hear how it compares to your DIY creation? That seems like what commonly happens at the small and big Asian/European/American 'DIY' meets I read about online? That's a big part of the fun with DIY, IMO? 8)
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Just looking at that photo again, I like how the copper shimmers through the opaque Teflon. :)
I snuck an early listen to them on Sat night. They were less veiled than the IC's they replaced (in the spot from Dac to pre), nothing stood out to tell me they were not sounding any good.
I listened to them for about an hour, then put them back onto the run-in system, where I will leave them for another week or so.
The true test will be when I take them to Stevens, and compare it to his 5000s. Don't know if I want to do that, could burst my bubble. :P
Hi ozmillsy, look forward to your impressions once burn-in has completed :)
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Pingping, the plugs are great, assembly is easier, but they are firm and snug when plugged onto the rca sockets - without needing to push too hard.
Listened again for an hour last night. No grain, no veil. Have about 4 days running in to go.
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Our online posting styles and behaviour is an important discussion, not relevant to this thread, so they have been moved to;
http://killerdac.com/forum/index.php/topic,2747.msg20140.html#new (http://killerdac.com/forum/index.php/topic,2747.msg20140.html#new)
This thread is for people who are still interesting in making their own IC's (DIY).
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Hi ozmillsy, look forward to your impressions once burn-in has completed :)
Well, burning-in is done, and I reckon these cables sound great (on my system). What that actually means, isnt all that much, until I compare them to something meaningful. Which I will do in due course.
But for now, I have nice clear extended highs, weighty mids and bass, big open spaces with air, just a nice all round sound. They definitely were an improvement for my system.
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ok thanks :)
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Hi ozmillsy, these are mine with KLEI Pure Harmony RCA plugs :)
I used 2 twisted pair Cat5 (blue/brown pairs) for the ground (-) and single Cat5 for the Signal (+) ... TME, sounds good :)
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Cool, thanks for sharing the pic, looks good.
I have just received my copper harmony plugs. So I'll be making another set of IC's of the same recipe, and comparing (after run-in of course).
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should be interesting :)
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Just compared my set with pure harmony plugs, to the yamamura 5000's, and the yamamuras have more body and fullness (which is their signature).
In comparing back to back, when that body isnt there, it's a hollow feeling.
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Hi ozmillsy, interesting ... there you go ... cables make a difference to the sound and that means your system could sound even better :)
You could always try... 2 twisted pair Cat5 (blue and brown pairs) for the ground (-) and single Cat5 for the Signal (+) ... with the pure harmony's ... but better to compare them to the copper harmony first :)
Were they Stevenvalve's yamamura 5000's? He has indicated that he really likes the Essence gZero6 ICs (they are on par) ... so they must be excellent cables, also :)
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Definitely cables make a difference, that's why I experiment with making them. It's a fiddly job, that takes time.
It's not really about cables being better or being good. It's how they sound different to other cables, on any given system, and how we can use them in the mix for tuning our systems.
What do these cables do for me, on my system, is they add a liveliness to the sound. My tannoy system is nice and warm, and engaging (they have a beauty about them). My dac "needs" some extra transparency at the front end, as the whole mix is bordering on too much of a good thing. I actually don't think the Yamamuras are the answer for my Dac to Passive spot in the system.
So my DIY's give me extension and transparency. I was hoping they had inherent body aswell, given I have used 20awg Neotech, but they don't have this, when compared directly to the Yam-5000s.
Pros/cons, just different flavours is all.
Stevens system has "you are there" transparency, and my DIY's didn't gel on that system.
Hope that adds context around what my cables do, compared to a known quantity.
I will go on to test the Copper Harmony plugs as planned. But I also intend to try cotton sleeving instead of Teflon tubing, not too far down the road.
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It would be nice to hear the yamamura 5000's... maybe one day :)
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Hi ozmillsy, any news/updates :)
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Nope, on the back burner for the moment.
Spent many hours dialling in my cart on the weekend, and the missus cracked the sh!ts. 8)