Assembling DIN interconnects what cable to use ?

[henri]

Hello everyone,

I got my hand on a stock of Neutrik DIN connectors that was given to me.
I have a few pieces of audio that use them, and while it has been on my mind for sometime to order some interconnects from Flash-Back sales in U.K. as I need more interconnects. I was curious to know if any member of this forum have build their hown.

Any cable reference to suggest ?

If I am right, I need a cable with two conductors , the shield being used as ground for both chanel.

I do have on hand a few meters lenght of Belden intended for mike signal applications...

Thank you all in advance for any ideas or suggestion.

[DSJR]

I've been almost bullied into accepting that *any* good quality screened cable with copper conductors is all you need for typical domestic runs under 5m, as long as the capacitance is kept low AND THE SOLDER JOINTS ARE GOOD!!!!! as this latter is the main weakness once all other parameters are taken into account...

Having got the above out of the way, I'm going to turn it on its head and respectfully suggest that many of the Belden cables I've used tend to sound a touch "constricted" in absolute terms (Marco here has found the same I understand and with no prompting either way).. These wires tend to be tinned copper and this may just be the problem - possibly....... I do have an AES/EBU Belden copper stranded twin core cable as an XLR balanced interconnect (from BlueJeans cables) and it sounds thick and squashed up (and these things are supposed to sound the same............. :scratch:

I'd also suggest that a mic cable, where the two inner conductors are not shielded from each other *may* affect stereo separation, as the traditional Naim SNAICS do (god, they're awful interconnects for sonics if a soundstage is required, spreading the centre image and narrowing extreme L and R images IMO).

I personally like Van Damme's cables for basic domestic use and they make a smallish diameter round twin-core *individually screened* cable which, if it's as great as the pro-patch wires I've used (and still do), should be an excellent and easy to solder choice with an even tempered behaviour in all aspects.

Good luck with the soldering, I did some DINs for my Quad 33 last weekend and it was a nightmare as I'm so out of practise.. Try to use low melting point solder (mine has 2% silver in it)

[henri]

Thank you Dave,

I do have some practise...And know how chalenging it can be...

I went to the Van Damme page, I did find the Pro Patch serie's and the Hi-Fi product line but can not find the twin-core *individually screened* cable you are refering to the Hi-Fi line seems to be two invidual cable "side by side" I am still looking for the round one that in my case could be thicker in section as the Neutrick connectors I have have a flexible rubber restraint termination that could accomodate a thicker cable . You would'nt have a product code for this cable you mentioned by any chance?

Henri

[Barry]

I've been almost bullied into accepting that *any* good quality screened cable with copper conductors is all you need for typical domestic runs under 5m, as long as the capacitance is kept low AND THE SOLDER JOINTS ARE GOOD!!!!! as this latter is the main weakness once all other parameters are taken into account...

Having got the above out of the way, I'm going to turn it on its head and respectfully suggest that many of the Belden cables I've used tend to sound a touch "constricted" in absolute terms (Marco here has found the same I understand and with no prompting either way).. These wires tend to be tinned copper and this may just be the problem - possibly....... I do have an AES/EBU Belden copper stranded twin core cable as an XLR balanced interconnect (from BlueJeans cables) and it sounds thick and squashed up (and these things are supposed to sound the same............. :scratch:

I'd also suggest that a mic cable, where the two inner conductors are not shielded from each other *may* affect stereo separation, as the traditional Naim SNAICS do (god, they're awful interconnects for sonics if a soundstage is required, spreading the centre image and narrowing extreme L and R images IMO).

I personally like Van Damme's cables for basic domestic use and they make a smallish diameter round twin-core *individually screened* cable which, if it's as great as the pro-patch wires I've used (and still do), should be an excellent and easy to solder choice with an even tempered behaviour in all aspects.

Good luck with the soldering, I did some DINs for my Quad 33 last weekend and it was a nightmare as I'm so out of practise.. Try to use low melting point solder (mine has 2% silver in it)

Who's been bullying you Dave? Otherwise, I agree with your first paragraph.

Agree with the third paragraph, but it doesn't apply to all twin cables. I have made up DIN to DIN leads using shielded 3 core cable sourced from Neumann as used for their microphones to good effect; no narrowing of the stereo image.

Also agree on the use of Van Damme range of cables, they are very good.

Essentially to answer Henri's question, most good quality cables can be used as long as they are of a small enough diameter to fit the rubber strain relief of the DIN plug. RG-174, RG-179, the RS Components low noise cable can all be used. The only real limitation is how well you can make a neat job within the restricted space of the DIN plug.

Regards

[Mark Grant]

If it is a din connector similar to this:

http://www.neutrik.com/content/products/detail.aspx?id=210_1382&catId=CatMSDE_audio

I remove the rubber part to make more space for larger cables.
Heatshrink over the connector and cables as a strain relief if needed.

Two coaxes as Barry mentions would do or something larger if you can fit them in.

It is possible to fit two RG59 or RG6 size coax into DIN connectors with a bit of surgery :)

Check your pinouts as is easy to get it wrong with a DIN,

Good luck :)

Mark.

[henri]

Thank you Mark,

This is precisely the connector I have, I do not have any idea as to the actual section diameter size of the RG59 or RG6, but I did noticed that the rubber restraint has some expension potential. I beleive it could also be slightly heated to allow expension (whitin reason) to permit a somewhat larger cable section to fit in there. The heathsink is a good idea too.

My goal is to find a single cable that could encompass both Left and right signal.

There might be some fun time to expect by having a single cable to assemble with four terminations - I am almost enjoying it already...

I am having a look just now at the cable that Barry, has suggested me in his post.
-Thank you Barry, not a proper way to thank you I am affraid.

Thank to both of you

Henri