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DIY Speaker Cables

ehoove

ehoove

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Finally got busy last weekend and made up some new cables for my main system. I ordered 12 Ga. Belden 5000 UE OFC cable from Blue Jeans Cable, picked up some sheathing, heatshrink tubing, and used Gold Banana termination at both ends. The capacitance of the Belden 5000UE is 33.5 pf/ft. After about 75 hours burn in the cables really opened up, and my MGIIIa's are singing. I was using Soundking OFC 12 Ga. (fine strand), and the difference is as follows. More air in the top end, silky liquid mids, and less bloat in the bass, lots of definition in the bass, and much tighter than the Soundking. So Far I'm really pleased with a $40 or so investment in two 15 Ft runs. FWIW Blue Jeans Cable is very easy to work with and come highly recommended
Regards,
Jim
 
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Thats really great. IMHO cabling is where diy-ing pays off the most.

I see three cable runs together in picture two; what are the other two going to?
 
Nice job! I noticed that you are using "lifts" on you cables to keep them off the floor. I am looking into getting or making some myself. My listening room is carpeted so I believe it will make a big difference. My question to you is, what is the benefit of lifting the cables up off a hardwood floor? (I am asking because I don't know, not questioning your decision to use them)
 
NicoR said:
Thats really great. IMHO cabling is where diy-ing pays off the most.

I see three cable runs together in picture two; what are the other two going to?
Click to expand...

There are only two, since my rack is just in the picture I had to back track the right one, both being of equal lenght. I did this as opposed to coiling it producing an inductor. You are correct in the bang for the buck DIY factor.
Regards,
Jim
 
clydeselsor said:
Nice job! I noticed that you are using "lifts" on you cables to keep them off the floor. I am looking into getting or making some myself. My listening room is carpeted so I believe it will make a big difference. My question to you is, what is the benefit of lifting the cables up off a hardwood floor? (I am asking because I don't know, not questioning your decision to use them)
Click to expand...

I have been using them for about a year now, They did make a difference in the top end to my ears. My maggies are very detailed due to the ribbon tweeters. Whether other speakers will show as much difference I can't say, but they were worth the investment to me. Sure is neater than wires laying all over the floor collecting dust bunnies.
Regards,
Jim
 
Nice job! :thmbsp: Agree that cables (power cords, interconnects and speaker cables) are an area where a DIY approach saves lots. :yes: :thmbsp:

Those "lifts" look like some kind of commercial insulators to me, like the ones used to run power lines inside of attics. Are they, or are they an "audio" product?

I'm using "mini" tripods right now to lift main speaker wires, with plastic "pipe clamp" tops with foam (pipe insulation) inserts, just because I picked some up for next-to-nothing, but have thought of using high-tension power-line insulators, just for the appearance. :D

Not sure how much difference they make, but I figure with all the metal bars in a reinforced-concrete floor, it's probably wise to increase separation. Can't really hurt, and may help. I did hear a difference when I simply went through all the wires and spaced them as far apart as I reasonably could, separated power cable from signal cable, and where they had to cross, made it 90 degrees. I used DIY foam spacers to hold some cables in place in some places in the back, where they don't really show.
 
NYListens said:
Why wouldn't you build an isolator out of a few scraps of wood?
Click to expand...

I was in that mode while talking to my wife about it, and showing her the various products available. She liked the looks of the Cable Isolators, and ordered me eight for father's day last year. You gotta love it!!

Regards,
Jim
 
A couple questions, what do insolators do for the sound? I have concrete floors, does that matter? What guide did you use for building your wires? Is there a guide for digital, Soldid state, and tube amps? In other words, would you use different wires for the different amps? Good job on the wires by the way. Cheers.
 
ehoove said:
I was in that mode while talking to my wife about it, and showing her the various products available. She like the looks or the Cable Isolators, and ordered me eight for father's day last year. You gotta love it!!

Regards,
Jim
Click to expand...

I'd take that deal any day.
 
ehoove said:
I have been using them for about a year now, They did make a difference in the top end to my ears. My maggies are very detailed due to the ribbon tweeters. Whether other speakers will show as much difference I can't say, but they were worth the investment to me. Sure is neater than wires laying all over the floor collecting dust bunnies.
Regards,
Jim
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I think those isolators that you are using are pretty cool!:thmbsp:
 
I picked the Belden cable due it's low capacitance level which was recommended by several members of the MUG asylum. It was felt that a low capacitance wire would benefit the ribbon tweeter in my Magnepan MGIIIa's. Whether or not it is true, it sure seems to be a good choice, and relatively inexpensive to boot. I followed the instructions for our DIY forum here: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=94203

Regards,
Jim
 
How do you like your Gunned MG12's? Peter is very open and helpful in most things Maggie.
Regards,
Jim
 
ehoove said:
How do you like your Gunned MG12's? Peter is very open and helpful in most things Maggie.
Regards,
Jim
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:thmbsp::thmbsp::thmbsp: I love them! :yes: The best money I have ever spent on a pair of speakers. Peter is "The Man" when it comes to Maggies. :D The picture below isn't the best but it will give you an idea of them.
 

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That's the first pair I have seen with the white cloth. They look great. Peeter is supposed to let me know when he finishes the set of 1.6QR's he's gunnung are done. A definate roadtrip is in order, as he has invited me to come check them out. I can't wait. Nice looking setup!!
Regards,
Jim
 
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