why are xlr cables so expensive ?

[Taz]

Looking around it would seem that a balanced xlr interconnect cable is around double the price of a single ended rca ? I can't understand why ? I have re terminated my van den hul d102 mkiii from rca to xlr and it sounds great, but the xlr plugs where only £2.99 each so why do cable companies charge double ?

[Stratmangler]

Because they can, maybe ? :eyebrows:

[John]

Becaause people are willing to pay extra?

[icehockeyboy]

You would think the amount of metal in an XLR plug compared to an RCA would alone mean they would be dearer.

[Effem]

There is a world of difference between a 2 core single ended RCA cable and a fully balanced XLR cable.

Yes you can take a 2 core cable and wire it into an XLR plug, but you still get a single ended cable with an XLR plug on it, not a fully balanced cable which is a different animal entirely.

Now we have that out of the way, I agree that the difference in cost between a single ended and a balanced cable should be within reason for the additional construction materials and the labour cost to make a few additional solder joints.

[Stratmangler]

There is a world of difference between a 2 core single ended RCA cable and a fully balanced XLR cable.

Yes you can take a 2 core cable and wire it into an XLR plug, but you still get a single ended cable with an XLR plug on it, not a fully balanced cable which is a different animal entirely.

Now we have that out of the way, I agree that the difference in cost between a single ended and a balanced cable should be within reason for the additional construction materials and the labour cost to make a few additional solder joints.

The cables the OP reterminated are 2 core plus screen, so it is possible to terminate the cable in fully balanced configuration.
http://www.highendcable.co.uk/van_den_hul%20D%20102%20Mk%20III.htm

[DSJR]

Simples, buy some Van Damme pro cables pre terminated with XLR's. You'll get a fantastic sound (balanced cabling used that way minimises cable differences in any case), and the fact that pro's won't pay foo prices will mean a very reasonable charge.

Forget audio-foo where balanced is concerned, they're just using XLR's as supposedly better, therefore commanding even larger markups than the usual retail 300%........