Amazing $1.50 DIY interconnects!

[Sarchi]

Tonight I made up a "Dr.Gizmo" recipe magnet wire interconnect, with the cheap stamped Radio Shack plugs. This was described in the 'Wire Men' issue of Listener, Vol.7 No.2. Not much to it, but if anyone wants the article I can scan it. I made a very short pair, only around 10" long (25cm). Not sure what guage magnet wire this is, I'd guess it's 28 or 32 awg. I haven't as yet arranged the wires in the prescribed way.

Y'know what... It sounds damn good! .

Better than the DH Labs Silver Sonic wire I was using- DIY made with "Teflon" style plugs. Those plugs are such a tight fit they'd become a real PITA to use...my amp only has one input so I need to pull i/c's a fair bit. Good riddance to them, I won't need 'em now.

[karma]

hmm ill have a copy if you got one

[Luke]

yes please, I need to make some interconnects soon.
What is magnet wire?

cheers Arthur

[454Casull]

It's copper wire with a very thin electrical insulation. Suitable for use in motor windings.

[arnoldc]

I also use magnet wire #32 for my 4 meter interconnect. I cannot afford the commercial ones, due to the lenght so I made this.

The hard part for me is putting it inside the teflon tube, and then braiding it, all 4 meters of it / interconnect. Of course stereo so, 8 meters total.

Sonically, I would say it is satisfying.

However, my last room re-arrangement caused the 4 meter to be unsufficient in lenght So I bought a commercial interconnect which is dirt cheap- Quantum, I use it now, but I still prefer the magnet wire.

When I find time to braid a 10-meter one, I'll go for it again

[Luke]

It's copper wire with a very thin electrical insulation. Suitable for use in motor windings.

Is that the same as the wire inductors are made of, with the enamel varnish as the insulation?

[pinkmouse]

I would be a little worried about a 10m unscreened cable picking up noise...

[BWRX]

Yes. The inner strands of Cat5 ethernet cable can be used to make some nice interconnects as well, and they come already twisted together.

[Eva]

Isn't placebo effect a wonderful thing?

It makes people happy, sometimes without expending a fortune.

[KT]

Originally posted by Eva
Isn't placebo effect a wonderful thing?

It makes people happy, sometimes without expending a fortune.

Explain what you mean. What part of two simple wires carrying audio signal is succeptible to a "placebo effect?"

AFAIK, there are no outlandish claims made about the technology these interconnects. Just claims that they sound good. That's not out of the realm of the very possible for this technology.

Also, have you listened to these interconnects? If you haven't, don't make broad dismissive statements. If you have, please limit the statements to your own personal experience.

I, myself, have made these intereconnects and find that they sound very good. Incredibly good, in fact. Overall, though, I prefer an intereconnect with a little more body and richness. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend these to friends who don't want to spend a fortune on components, however. My brother uses them in his system and he really enjoys it.

Best,
KT