Help on diy cable construction

Thanks to everyone...I've ordered what is needed to make the interconnects. I'm confident they will be just fine. Saved a lot of money and embarrassment... and they'll look great too. Thanks again to all. Be smart, stay safe. We'll get thru this.

He's a lightweight compared to the action I've seen. Obviously privileged enough to have the money to spend on expensive equipment and the hearing to tell the difference. God bless him.

Thanks, but both were earned. The money and the hearing. The hard way.

One time drove 180 miles to prove expensive cables were a ripoff.

Time out. Might want to read that one again. I drove 180 miles to prove expensive cables were a ripoff. Maybe read it a few more times. Let it sink in. Got it? Good.

Corner Audio in Portland had the XLO device that would let you switch between two interconnects. Because I believed the talk I believed there was almost no difference and even if there is you can't remember long enough anyway and so I totally believed something like this was necessary. 

So I called and confirmed he had it but when I got there he said sorry it broke we sent it back but you are welcome to listen anyway. What a waste of time. I brought my patch cords and everything! But I was there. He offered me his cheapest IC, $75 something XLO I think. I went and listened. The system sounded really good with that in there. Then I went and switched them.

The instant the sound came on I spun around and leaped to turn the rig off. Because it sounded so bad I was sure I had messed something up and didn't want the owner to know. Double check everything. Damn. So that's how bad my IC really sounds then.

Don't want to get all mathy but I've done this about a bazillion times now. More systems, more cables, than you can count. 

All during the first several years this was going on I had this audio bud, another guy who like me had devoted whole years of his life to his stereo. Only this guy had a section of his basement that was a bona fide audio lab. Test bench strewn with parts and tools, scopes and meters. One thing about this guy, he was dead set convinced expensive cables were a ripoff. He could make better. He knew it. He'd been working 30 years on it. His whole system was wired with his DIY cables.

One day he calls me up all excited to show off his masterpiece. He had somehow gotten hold of some $7k interconnect, taken it apart, researched all the parts, built his version, and compared. They sounded exactly the same! There was no difference! They were the same! He had built a $7k IC! He was thrilled. I had to hear it. He wanted me to hear it. He wanted to hear it in my system. How soon can he come over???

When he shows up we listen to the $7k IC. And I'll be honest, it was good, but not for the money. I would not have bought it for $1k. If you want to talk about overpriced snake oil cables this would be Exhibit A. But it was what it was. A pretty good IC.

Then we put his in, and I wish I had a camera, the look on his face, all the review you need. Sound was flat, lifeless, gray, grainy, absolute crap. Night and day. No way anyone would buy this. No way you would even want it in your system. 

I went to my used cable drawer. Pulled out the oldest/cheapest Synergistic Research. Probably cost about $175, Kaleidoscope or something like that. I forget. Anyway its clearly better. We both agree. Not even close. And now the guy is totally crushed. 30 years, basement laboratory, piles of failed experiments, and now this, thrashed by something actually cost less than he spent on parts.

So you see, I really do mean it when I say its refreshing to hear you don't care if it sounds good as long as it looks good. At least you will never be crushed like my pal. If it doesn't look good you can always add more sparkles.

Lightweight. Right. Well we all have our little beliefs. Good bless.

https://viborgretail.aliexpress.com/store/4426092

For an impression and pricing info. 

Thanks for the input tantejuut. As for Miller, I can handle him. He's a lightweight compared to the action I've seen. Obviously privileged  enough to have the money to spend on expensive equipment and the hearing to tell the difference. God bless him.

I'll check out Techflex. I'm enjoying the search and the help given here. Thanks again.

What a disrespectful comment (as usual) Miller. A normal question doesn’t deserve such quasi ironic vitriol.

Techflex and some nice looking connectors (banana, spades and power) from Viborg (ebay or audiophonics) won’t break the bank.

I simply want to make some attractive cables

Attractive like sparkly silver and gold? Or earth tones? Leather would be cool. You could do the power cables in crocodile, speaker cables snake skin, and interconnects shark skin.

For plugs I would go with a contrasting wood for the power cords. Cocobolo, nah too cliche maybe a nice burl? Probably stick with stock IEC since that's hard to see but the wood would look great with an inlay.

Hey this is fun most guys all they care about with DIY is sound or saving money someone being so straight up about not caring about how bad it sounds or how much it costs or anything but bling is just so darn refreshing. Frankly I think a lot of guys buy based on cosmetic appearance. Its just so rare anyone has the courage to admit it.

Way to go!

- And last, should I step up to 12/2 awg for the speaker wire?

Why? Do you really think it will look better?

Thanks. The physical dimensions of the speaker cable I have is 1/2" x 1/4+". It's 2 round conductors running side by side and in a "flat" 2 dimensional shape thus the 2 measurements. On closer inspection, it looks like 12 awg braided.

Searching ebay for "techflex" will get you a lot of options.  for the 14/2, you are probably fine with 3/8" techflex, but you should probably order some 1/2" just to be sure.  It's cheap enough.

Parts Express is a great source for the braided sheaths

Parts Connexion and Sonicraft are great for the hardware

Usually you use a shrink wrap to hold the braided ends in place. Also, get a hot knife, or hot knife accessory cutter to a solder GUN (the one's with triggers and handles) to cut the pet so it doesn't unravel

Best,

E