The Dude Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Ok I don't want to start one of those argument threads on best cable. But I am going to run some wires for 3 stereo power amps to the front of my room. I was looking at some of the star quad cables out there from either Mogami, or Canare. There are some difference between the 2 such as awg, and sheathing. Now I know some don't like the braided sheathing as it can be a pain to work with when coming out of the walls but that doesn't bother me. I was looking at some that others were using. Just want to make sure I order the right cable, as in it will work for my application. I like the price of the Canare vs the Mogami. Would either of these work, my runs wouldn't or shouldn't be any more then 25-30'. http://www.markertek.com/Cables/Bulk-Wire-Cable/Bulk-Audio-Cable/Canare-Corporation-Of-America/L-4E5AT.xhtml http://www.markertek.com/Cables/Bulk-Wire-Cable/Bulk-Audio-Cable/Canare-Corporation-Of-America/L-4E6S-BK.xhtml http://www.amazon.com/Mogami-W2534-Neglex-Microphone-Mogami/dp/B009S4S13C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Is this for a balanced or unbalanced connection? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted January 14, 2014 Author Share Posted January 14, 2014 Unbalanced for now I don't have any plans going balanced I hope to run conduit so I can pull wire in the future if need be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerwoodKhorns Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Unbalanced for now I don't have any plans going balanced I hope to run conduit so I can pull wire in the future if need be. What kind of conduit? I have heard of Smurf Pipe and am thinking about putting some in my house for future upgrades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 IMO for unbalanced the star quad a way, way, way overkill. In fact depending on how you wire it it could have more capacitance per foot than optimal. IMHO just use some good coax. Remember the only thing that matters in unbalanced connections is the resistance of the shield. Monoprice makes some good reasonably priced RCA cables: with RG6/U coax: http://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_id=102&cp_id=10236 with RG59 coax: http://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021814 No affliation.....yada yada yada Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coytee Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 I installed some Mogami (neglex) and later, installed several more runs but used the Canare. When I moved to Florida, I took the cut lengths down with me (excess wire) to make into interconnects. The Mogami is simply unraveled to pull the sheath off. The Canare was woven and had to be either unwoven or pulled through a hole created in it (others showed me how) I never did much more with the Canare... moved back to the house in Tennessee....ripped out all the Canare & spent another $400 to replace it with Mogami. That might give you my opinion of messing with the woven stuff! That said, I have about 6 lengths of Canare, each different color. Each length started at 45/50' (I forget) and is probably around 30/40 feet today (what I pulled out of the wall) Might be a bargain for you here if you don't mind the weave nor mind different colors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coytee Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Rather than say "ripped out all the Canare", perhaps I should say that it was in fact simply removed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 Unbalanced for now I don't have any plans going balanced I hope to run conduit so I can pull wire in the future if need be. What kind of conduit? I have heard of Smurf Pipe and am thinking about putting some in my house for future upgrades. Is this what you speak of http://www.menards.com/main/electrical/rough-electrical/conduit/1-blue-ent-100-coil/p-1517769-c-6423.htm It seems a lot cheaper then when I first priced it. I purchased a bunch of this, thinking I would use it, but know that I know I could use the smurf tube at not such a bad price I might. Then it is about 1/2 the price and then some. http://www.menards.com/main/electrical/rough-electrical/conduit/1-x-20-pvc-conduit-schedule-40/p-2201788-c-6423.htm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 I installed some Mogami (neglex) and later, installed several more runs but used the Canare. When I moved to Florida, I took the cut lengths down with me (excess wire) to make into interconnects. The Mogami is simply unraveled to pull the sheath off. The Canare was woven and had to be either unwoven or pulled through a hole created in it (others showed me how) I never did much more with the Canare... moved back to the house in Tennessee....ripped out all the Canare & spent another $400 to replace it with Mogami. That might give you my opinion of messing with the woven stuff! That said, I have about 6 lengths of Canare, each different color. Each length started at 45/50' (I forget) and is probably around 30/40 feet today (what I pulled out of the wall) Might be a bargain for you here if you don't mind the weave nor mind different colors. I remember your post about that issue, you have pm on the wire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 (edited) IMO for unbalanced the star quad a way, way, way overkill. In fact depending on how you wire it it could have more capacitance per foot than optimal. IMHO just use some good coax. Remember the only thing that matters in unbalanced connections is the resistance of the shield. Monoprice makes some good reasonably priced RCA cables: with RG6/U coax: http://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_id=102&cp_id=10236 with RG59 coax: http://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021814 No affliation.....yada yada yada Are you saying RG6 or RG59 are good to use, I know I have used it before for rcas. Which I could just make more, may be worth a try if I find bulk RG6 at a low price. This doesn't look bad, http://www.ebay.com/itm/Belden-1613A-Coax-RG6-U-75-Ohm-Cable-TV-1000ft-/271244268568?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f276b1418 Edited January 15, 2014 by duder1982 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudy81 Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 I originally ran Canare quad cable but over the years, as prices climbed, I switched to the heavy duty offerings from monoprice and have not had any issues. I run all my amp to driver lines at least 25' and no issues. Monoprice carries plenty of reasonably priced options for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Richard Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Star quad cable has higher capacitance than most standard shielded cable used for unbalanced interconnects, which could result in high frequency attenuation with runs longer than 1M or so, depending on the equipment that it hooks to. Higher impedances such as found with most tube equipment will make the problem worse. YMMV. Low capacitance dual shielded wire is good at keeping noise out and longer lengths can be used without issues. In a home setting if there is excessive EMI/RFI such that quad cable could be used it would be better to fix the problem at the noise source than to band-aid the problem with cable. If the noise is being picked up directly by the amplification equipment that's the only workable option. With balanced connections it is likely that quad cable will be unnecessary in nearly all cases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Are you saying RG6 or RG59 are good to use, I know I have used it before for rcas. Which I could just make more, may be worth a try if I find bulk RG6 at a low price. This doesn't look bad, Yes I am, and as Don pointed out it will probably have less capacitance per foot. The RG6/U is pretty stiff cable, I was checking mine out last night after my previous post. The RG59 is more flexible. I don't know if this is a concern for you. Electrically either will work for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 So really the star quad stuff is usually only needed for balanced kind of equipment. This makes since why some folks are running it, glad I asked (if my assumption is right). I can run rg59 for now since I will use conduit I can pull different stuff through later on if I move to balanced amplifiers.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudy81 Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 I guess I should clarify. I run the quad and other 'pro' cables from my amps to the speakers. Line level connections, in my case, are balanced connections using monoprice balanced cables of length needed, but generally under 3'. I was not clear on what items you are connecting for that long length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 I would be connecting the preamp to the power amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudy81 Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I would be connecting the preamp to the power amp. The quad wire would not be your best choice then. If you have any balanced connections on the amp and pre-amp, I would highly suggest you use those. Again, monoprice sells very reasonably priced wires ready to go. Otherwise, the coax idea would be the next best choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 I have used and still have plenty of the compression rca fittings for rg6 from F-Conn. So that seems like it would save on cost there. Whats the deal with some coax having 22 awg conductors and 18 awg conductors, will it mater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 For line level signals like those between a pre amp and power amp either 22 or 18 awg will be fine for the center conductor. In unbalaned connections the resistance of the shield (ground) connection between the pieces of equipment is of the utmost importance. The lower the better. Both RG6 and RG59 have a low resistance shield and will work well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 Everyone thanks for all your help, I will keep my eye out for some good deals. I know monoprice has decent stuff, how ever if I have to pull the wire through conduit. I think it would be easier if it wasn't terminated. Plus I can easily terminate it with the compression connectors I have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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