Hi,
The cable between the RCA inputs (left, right) for a self build amp, should it be a shielded cable or regular red/black wire (copper wire). What gauge/mm should de wire be?
Cant find any guidelines, only some diy pictures.
The cable between the RCA inputs (left, right) for a self build amp, should it be a shielded cable or regular red/black wire (copper wire). What gauge/mm should de wire be?
Cant find any guidelines, only some diy pictures.
Gauge is unimportant because these wires aren't handling high current. Some claim that very thin wires are sonically superior; I'm not sure that's true, but at least thin wires are cheap! Wire-wrap wire is a nice choice- good quality conductors and Kynar insulation.
In my own amps, I tend to use either a shielded cable or a pair of twisted wires of moderate gauge (e.g., 24 AWG solid)- I don't notice any difference between these choices and use whatever is convenient and on-hand.
In my own amps, I tend to use either a shielded cable or a pair of twisted wires of moderate gauge (e.g., 24 AWG solid)- I don't notice any difference between these choices and use whatever is convenient and on-hand.
No, Kynar is the stuff used to insulate wire wrap. I didn't mean to imply that it's an insulation to be particularly sought out, it's just one high quality option. Frankly, at those voltage and impedance levels, just about anything will work.
kynar & teflon
kynar is also known generically as PVDF in some selector tables. Harder than PVC to knick or burn. electronicsurplus.com had some a couple of weeks ago in the 26 ga that is not used for microelectronic wirewrap. They also had some teflon insulated shielded twisted pair in small gauge, that I bought some of to run inputs from RCA jacks past a cheap, non-insulated power transformer. I like teflon insulation bacause if you don't do this a lot, and are waving your soldering iron around while looking for your connection, you don't burn another wire. Teflon, PFTE is extrememly expensive in the primary market ($60 a hundred feet for ROP compliant new stock) but esurplus has got some 18 teflon hookup wire in various colors. Their shipping is $10, a little pricey over 250 miles, and their minimum is $15. Good luck.
kynar is also known generically as PVDF in some selector tables. Harder than PVC to knick or burn. electronicsurplus.com had some a couple of weeks ago in the 26 ga that is not used for microelectronic wirewrap. They also had some teflon insulated shielded twisted pair in small gauge, that I bought some of to run inputs from RCA jacks past a cheap, non-insulated power transformer. I like teflon insulation bacause if you don't do this a lot, and are waving your soldering iron around while looking for your connection, you don't burn another wire. Teflon, PFTE is extrememly expensive in the primary market ($60 a hundred feet for ROP compliant new stock) but esurplus has got some 18 teflon hookup wire in various colors. Their shipping is $10, a little pricey over 250 miles, and their minimum is $15. Good luck.
I would usually use shielded cable for any line level wiring more than about 10cm. I would also use shielded cable if the line level wiring gets anywhere near output wiring, AC cables or any other stuff that is likely to cause interference.
Teflon insulated cable is my favourite, mainly because it's so heat resistant rather that its dielectric performance (which is very good). You can solder straight to the shield without melting the insulation around the core, that's impossible with conventional cable.
Teflon insulated cable is my favourite, mainly because it's so heat resistant rather that its dielectric performance (which is very good). You can solder straight to the shield without melting the insulation around the core, that's impossible with conventional cable.
Member
Joined 2002
- Status
- Not open for further replies.