DIY "HiFi" cables - and why I don't trust BJC and the likes


After watching these two youtube vid below, I suspect a lot of online so audio cables companies are like these.  They basically use off-the-shelf spool of wire that you can easily purchase from HomeDepot or PartsExpress and dress them up nicely with fancy jackets.  I think BJC falls into one of these categories although for their credit, they don't charge a lot of money.  

I don't mean all audio cable companies are like that.  I do think some well established companies such as AudioQuest, QED ... actually have some real engineering going into their products.  For example, QED has a very unique geometry in their cables that you can't get from off-the-shelf.  It's just that there are too many online companies that give the cable industry a bad name.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuxK-HQGvkI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyEexBJoR-E
andy2

Showing 1 response by jaytor

I'm not sure if the OP meant to criticize all DIY cables or those "cable companies" that are being disingenuous about their added value. 

I completely agree that cable companies that use readily available bulk cable, add some connectors and some woven polyester sleeving, and then charge 5 or 10 times the retail cost of the components while pretending that they have some unique technology are pretty sleazy. 

I don't think this necessarily results in a bad cable - there is some excellent bulk cable made by companies like Furutech, Neotech, DH Labs, Mogami, Kimber, Canare, Belden and others, that offer good to excellent performance. But a DIYer can use the same bulk cable with good quality connectors and achieve the same results (assuming they know what they are doing wrt prepping and terminating) for a fraction of the cost.

I have no problem with companies, such as Blue Jean Cable, that disclose the fact they are using one of these products, and that charge a fair price for the excellent job they do with termination.