alternative connectors

[dvenardos]

I was looking at this old thread:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=66561
Steve Eddy was bringing up the point why use RCAs as interconnects, it is a terrible plug. I have a couple of my first DIY projects in the works and I was thinking, "Well, if I am going to learn to make my own cables why not put a different interconnect on any of my DIY components"? You can always have an RCA on one side and then whatever on the other for connecting with standard equipment.

Have you used any alternate connectors on your projects and how do you like them?
Steve was recommending Redel connectors. I couldn't find pricing on them but the other stuff made by Lemo is pretty darn expensive (I am cheap).
One person was also asking about the basic 5 pin DIN or what about computer connectors?

Please share.

Thanks,
Don

 

[nukaidee]

I swear by neutrik professional series =) xlr for balanced stereo, powercon for ac, and speakon for speaker outputs.. but thats just me. on the other hand I also have bad habits of connecting things with 3.5mm plugs (i've been told they're not so good)

 

[infinia]

Why not use what the pro's use? Can't imagine the nightmares if they used RCA and bannana's.


XLR for line level - can rigged for single ended use
http://www.parts-express.com/wizard...n&WebPage_ID=3&searchFilter=xlr+conn&x=24&y=8

Speakon for amp to speaker
http://www.parts-express.com/wizard...srchPrice=&srchCat=127&srchMfg=128&srchPromo=

 

[dvenardos]

XLR is one of the options I was looking at, although, most of the ones that I was looking at are three pin, but I see that you can get up to seven pin in the Neutrik.

Do you guys like XLRs?

 

[Geek]

XLR is great for balanced connections. Gimme a BNC for unbalanced anyday

Cheers!

 

[infinia]

XLR is one of the options I was looking at, although, most of the ones that I was looking at are three pin, Do you guys like XLRs?

XLR are all 3 wire, ie 2 plus shield.
They are great for audio and balanced is hard to beat for an extra boost in S/N ratio (+6dB over SE). They are really good in single ended mode ( psuedo differential) as well.

 

[planet10]

Steve was recommending Redel connectors. I couldn't find pricing on them but the other stuff made by Lemo is pretty darn expensive (I am cheap).

That is what Allen Wright also recommends and uses. Pricing (10-$13 each) is not more expensive than "good" RCAs, and a lot less than premium ones that they probably out perform.

dave

 

[AndrewT]

XLR or BNC.
the only sensible high reliability cheapish connectors to consider.

Use two core + screen for XLR and used braid + foil + core for BNC.

 

[SY]

I use DIN for phono, XLR for line level. I have been sorely tempted by those little gold RF jobs that I see used in a lot of wireless routers...

 

[Geek]

Hi SY,

I have been sorely tempted by those little gold RF jobs that I see used in a lot of wireless routers...

There should be plenty of dead ones around for scavenging. Might be an experiment!

My only concern with those is they are usually designed for < 100 insertions, according to some spec sheets

Cheers!

 

[VivaVee]

For Redel, try Mouser

 

[VivaVee]

The Redel connectors start at ~ USD13 for a two pin connector moving to ~ USD25 for an eight way from Mouser. They might be a god choice for a power supply umbilical cord

 

[infinia]

I use DIN for phono, XLR for line level. I have been sorely tempted by those little gold RF jobs that I see used in a lot of wireless routers...

They are called MCX snap in connectors. SMC with flex coax would be a better choice IMO.

http://www.rfacsolutions.com/rf-connector.php

 

[dvenardos]

XLR are all 3 wire, ie 2 plus shield.
They are great for audio and balanced is hard to beat for an extra boost in S/N ratio (+6dB over SE). They are really good in single ended mode ( psuedo differential) as well.

You can get them up to seven pin, although, I would be using them basically as a DIN, not in balanced mode.
http://www.neutrik.com/us/en/audio/204_70581/P_Series_productlist.aspx

 

[infinia]

You can get them up to seven pin, although, I would be using them basically as a DIN, not in balanced mode.
http://www.neutrik.com/us/en/audio/204_70581/P_Series_productlist.aspx

Yes, but always 3 pin for audio. The name of the game is line level compatability with other gear (i.e. standards).

 

[mpmarino]

I see these being implemented more and more in RF eqpt at work. They are small, quick(snap on), and reliable. I've wondered if they would be valuable as SE connectors...

http://www.amphenolrf.com/products/smb.asp?N=0&sid=49C42E006547E17F&

 

[nukaidee]

those are the ones in wifi antennas. most of them are rated for 100 connects. so if you plan to connect it and leave it there for years etc, I think it will work nicely since the noise ratio is really low. but if you are always moving things around, I'd think twice. Also, there is a limit to the gauge of wire you can use.

 

[dvenardos]

Thanks for all the input guys. I think I am going to go with a mix of standard based stuff and my own custom connections to get the best of both worlds.
Now I just need to go find out what it would take for me to implement balanced stereo inputs.

 

[nukaidee]

balanced stereo.. xlr I still say.

 

[454Casull]

XLR, BNC, Speakon

Although those SMB connectors look pretty sweet. I daresay the cable is not as common as regular RG, though.