Just musing, as I've got a new bit of kit incoming in about a month (30 day build wait... its killing me already!) that runs XLR out's, and while that's cool for PA/soundsystem duty, I also want to run it into my AR pre-amp at home for a more quality focused set-up. So I need XLR > RCA, probably about 2m to be safe. Started looking around over the weekend, and there don't seem to be many of the usual suspects making these off the shelf.

Plenty of no-brand options on ebay etc, but then I figure I'd be better off buying the connectors and building some myself, as it would be a fun little project. I like Kimber stuff, the rest of the my system is Kimber, I'm happy with that so no need to recommend I replace all of them too! I like the look, but I also want as decent/low-to-no noise as possible, so some of the Kimber stuff isn't particularly well shielded.

Anybody build their own interconnects? Seems some places (mostly USA) do custom builds on Kimber, but can you just buy the bare cable here in NZ?

Any thoughts or recommendations?

FYI: it's a Mastersounds mixer - ( mastersounds.co.uk/collections/mixers/products/radius-4-silver ) intending to run into Audio Research SP-9mkII/Audio Research VS-55

I do.

I build these: www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/piano6_1_e.html

Cable can be found here:

marvac.com/search?type=product%2Carticle&q=NOT+tag%3A__gift+AND+ibm*&product_type=

I use WBT or Eichmann for preference.

They are wonderful, cheapish, and shielded.

There is some discussion round whether you should use shielded or un-shielded so go find out. I believe let your ears judge.

I started making 'solid core'-'air dielectric' IC & speaker cables in the 80s-90s & they have stood the test of time, still use pretty much the same:
darklanternforowen.wordpress.com/2019/08/16/consider-connectors/

Recently made one small mod to the ICs, to test - restraining the conductors from vibration with natural string:
(Like jon, I like Eichmann RCAs too.)

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

Aug 31, 2020 9:18:12 GMT 12 jon said:

I do.

I build these: www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/piano6_1_e.html

Cable can be found here:

marvac.com/search?type=product%2Carticle&q=NOT+tag%3A__gift+AND+ibm*&product_type=

I use WBT or Eichmann for preference.

They are wonderful, cheapish, and shielded.

There is some discussion round whether you should use shielded or un-shielded so go find out. I believe let your ears judge.

Aweome, thank you, i'll look into that. The instructions on the first link are a bit wonky, they reference the picture, but the details don't match! And one quick question: does it mean you actually contact/connect the shielding to the negative pole at the source end? As in solder the shielding too?

Correct, essentially you attach the shield to the source end of things. You trim and don't connect at the other.

And Owen's post is the other end from me, an unshielded interconnect. We both swear by our respective cables, which underlines the listen before you judge bit.

One thing... I prefer WBT, however they are now so expensive I can't afford them any more. Eichmann connectors are an acceptable alternative.

You might want to try Supracablenz who advertises on TM. Nice guy, reasonable prices and good cables.He can make up cables to your requirements so just ask on one of his listings. Supra cables were and are extensively used in Image speakers.

Aug 31, 2020 10:36:05 GMT 12 peter0c said:

You might want to try Supracablenz who advertises on TM. Nice guy, reasonable prices and good cables.He can make up cables to your requirements so just ask on one of his listings. Supra cables were and are extensively used in Image speakers.

Thanks Peter, I'll give him a nudge too.

I've just made a set of balanced interconnects with Neutric connectors and Mogami cable from Rubber Monkey and am very happy with them.

www.rubbermonkey.co.nz/

Aug 31, 2020 15:24:54 GMT 12 andychampionsound said:

Aug 31, 2020 10:36:05 GMT 12 peter0c said:

You might want to try Supracablenz who advertises on TM. Nice guy, reasonable prices and good cables.He can make up cables to your requirements so just ask on one of his listings. Supra cables were and are extensively used in Image speakers.

Thanks Peter, I'll give him a nudge too.

His name is Mark Polglase, email is [e-mail]
He is also a aperreaux agent.  Works from home in Kumeu.