Cpt's Killer Interconnects
I think I found a REAL 'giant killer' of an IC, and it really didn't cost me all that much. Here's what I used...
2 - Serail ATA Cables. (18" or longer…just search Goole for ‘Serial ATA’)
4 - WBT-0108 RCA Connectors
5ft of whatever wire loom you want to cover it in to make it look professional...
Now there are two different types of Serial ATA cable. There is 4-pin and 7-pin. I've tried both, and had the exact same results both times. The 7-pin is a little more substantial, and has seperation that may allow for a more robust sound long-term. I've only got about 100hrs on either of mine right now, so it's kinda soon to tell. (I like the 4-pin best so far.)
The great thing about Serial-ATA cable is that it is shielded out the wazoo. I believer there is an ISO standard for it, so I'm not sure if there is a brand that'll really sound better than another. I've done about 6 pair so far, and used a different manufacturer each time with no audible difference in sound.
If you strip 1” off of the end, you’ll see that there are two center wires, covered with a Teflon coating, and two bare wires at the ends that are bare. All 4 are ‘flat’ and covered with a foil shielding.
I simply used the 2 bare wires as the ground, and the two internal wires as the signal. I cut the shielding back with the outside shieth and cranked them into the connectors. I like using the WBT-0108 because I don’t need a soldering iron, and can experiment without wasting, or junking up a set of expensive connectors.
Here is what I’ve stacked them up against…
ZuCable Varial – Mine sound almost identical. (SLIGHT edge to the Varial)
Nordost Quattro Fil – Mine had a little deeper soundstage
Cardas Hexlinc Golden 5C – Mine sounded ‘darker’, not as bright.
Tara-Labs The One – Mine were REAL close. Maybe a little brighter.
My gear is as follows…
Pass-Labs X1 Preamp
Wadia 850 CD Player (GNSC Reference Mod)
Conrad Johnson MV-50 amp
ProAc Tablette 2000s Speakers
With less expensive connectors, these will cost you about $25 to build a pair…I’m going to try it as a digital at a friends house…I’ll let you know how that goes too.
Enjoy!
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