DIY 5 meter IC Cables low cost shielded twin core cable choice ~ £5/m

[darkmatter]

I am looking to make up a 2 sets of 5 meter IC cables between pre and two power amps in my second system.

One set of cables will be wired thus with phono pre end and XLR the other (WBT mid line to Neutrik XLR

http://www.douglas-self.com/ampins/balanced/XLRphono2.gif

The second set will be wired phono to phono WBT mid lines.

Thus

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dBk5ZDjKMas/ShoBY0201FI/AAAAAAAABbE/zVUMGOhrHH0/yw_1.jpg

I do not want to spend much more than about £5/meter off of the reel.

Any suggestions? thinking along the lines of Van-Dame, Mogami or others?

Thanks,

Simon

[Barry]

Do you really want to use a three-core screened cable for your RCA to XLR interconnect? Why not use 2-core screened cable (which is more readily available), and connect pins 1 and 3 together in the XLR plug. Since the RCA plug connects to the source, the screen of the cable should be connected to the outer conductor of the RCA phono plug.

If you choose to use 2-core screened cable, then the choice is wide: Van Damme, Klotz, Chord, Proel, Gotham, Sommer, .... . Some will choose a particular make as their preference, but I have tried all of the above (in various balanced and unbalanced configurations) and wouldn't single out any as being better than the others. In fact I would suggest if you choose any professional twin-cored microphone cable - you won't go far wrong.

[darkmatter]

Hi Barry

Thank you for your reply :)

Yes it is a two core screened cable that I am looking at, having reviewed the first picture again a two core would be fine with 1 and 3 connected together and 2 as hot :)

This seems favoured Mogami W2549 but have found this one

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/shark-audiovisual-twin-screened-two-core-blue-xs40t

[Barry]

Probably just my sinophobic prejudice, but Maplin's "Shark" cable uses Chinese-sourced copper, which is not considered to be necessarily of the highest quality, or purity.

[darkmatter]

Thanks for pointing that out and agreed

Between Mogami and Van-damme which was my original thought

[Blueflash]

I use the Van Damme Tour grade classic XKE Mic cable. I tried the Mogami and Van Damme quad wires but found the sound was a bit softer than the 2 wire version.
I went for the Van Damme as it uses silver plating.

[CageyH]

Klotz MC5000

[The Black Adder]

Klotz MC5000

+1

[Sovereign]

Klotz MC5000

DEFO!

[darkmatter]

Looks a very good cable, found a source here

http://www.musik-produktiv.co.uk/audio-cable-bulk-2646/klotz/

[CageyH]

There are a lot of people here at AOS who use this in preference to more expensive cables.

[Blueflash]

Another vote for Klotz 5000. I made some cables up yesterday using the Klotz 5000 and silver plated Neutrik XLR`s. I wondered if I would miss the silver plated Vann Damme cable.
Not at all, and I found that the sound stage width and height was improved, as was the separation of instruments. It was not a large difference but noticeable enough to put the Klotz at the top of my reference pile :-)