DIY Wire Selection/Buying Guide?

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I'm embarking on my first foray into soldering together a bunch of components to make my own amp/power supply/wifi streamer/dac/etc in one box. I don't have a lot of electronics experience and I'm just kind of lost on what type of wire will be best to connect all this stuff and get it running.

I've searched for a guide without luck. I'm sure it's pretty simple but please help a newb out!

What type of wire/insulation/shielding/gauge is best for connecting these components:

1) Mains receptacle to Power Supply - a couple inches
2) 28v/16a power supply to amp - less than 6 inch run.
3) DAC to amp (internal, RCAs not used) - less than 6 inch run.
4) Amp to binding posts

I'm just not clear on what needs to be shielded, solid vs. stranded, etc. I'm looking for good audio quality but don't need anything exotic or expensive).

When looking for shrink wrap to protect my AC mains wires, DC wires, and audio interconnect, is there any special kind designed for reducing EMI radiation?

Any links to relevant suppliers or part numbers in the US would be very appreciated. Thanks!
 
For high power in my amps I just use the 14 ga solid romex wire that's in your walls.

Apex jr has some nice teflon insulated wire. Wire

I like solid core...It stays where you put it.

For signal try pairs from cat 5e wire. I believe the plenum rated stuff is teflon insulated.
 
1) Mains to Supply; 14 - 16 awg rated for 600VAC No exposed voltage!!

2) High current DC... 6 - 10 awg stranded or solid is the same.

3) Small signal: some people like stranded some people like solid some people like solid silver or silver plated. Thinner wire generally. Twisted pair or shielded or twisted pair that is shielded...depends on how your signal and load are configured.

4) Power audio: 10-16 awg Some people use solid some stranded. I prefer fine stranded because of skin effect. (look it up) It is what I consider important. (and I have some)

🙂
 
Don't worry about skin effect. It has a tiny effect on really thick speaker cables, and all it means is that there is little point in using really huge cables. It has no effect on audio cables with diameter under about 2mm.

Use solid core when you want the wire to stay in place (mainly inside equipment). Use flexible wire when you want the wire to be flexible (mainly outside equipment). Use mains-rated wire for carrying mains.
 
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