Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler DIY audio cables

I'd like to give making my own audio cables a shot. If I use Belden 1505F cable, and mate that with Canare C42 RCAP connectors, do I need any special tools? I have a crimping tool already. (This one)

Would this work alright for those Canare RCAP connectors?

If so, I can make a nice 4' pair of audio cables for about $13. The savings is pretty much blown if I have to buy the specific Canare crimping tool.

I own all of the Canare tools from past installs.
I would definitely invest in the crimper and stripper. The dies are made to crimp the sleeve to exact tolerances. However, Canare has connectors that you can solder. It's almost as easy as crimping. Let me know if you need more information.

I have a soldering iron, so perhaps that's a better way for me to go. The Canare crimping tool and dies are really expensive.

What Canare connections (solder) would I need to make something with Belden 1505F cable?

The solder type part numbers for Canare connectors.
F-09
F-10

Depending on the cable diameter.

A good 40 watt iron (or whatever you prefer) and some 60/40 solder. I personally like the lower wattage Irons. Practice. You want to make sure that all of the solder joints are shiny. Do not use rosin core solder.

Tom

Here's an intresting link on connectors.
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0901/rcashootout.htm

It sounds like the F-10 will do the job. It's also not a bad Idea to use a glue gun to "fill the cavity" after your done soldering and testing.

Decent article...thought they seemed far from impressed by those Canare RCA's.

Hmmmm....

Yes, I was surprised by what they said. Rather disappointed.

Anyway, lots of people use them and recommend them. I have never had a problem with them myself. But if there is something better for the money, I'd give it a try.

One thing.. I didn't see any measurements in that article that would convince me that Canare is not as good as the rest that where tested. Now, if they would have had a side by side comparison, I might be more willing to listen.
They based the quality by the materials used in each connector. They didn't say that:
Body: Brass, Nickel Plated
Center Contact: Phosphor Bronze, Gold Plated
Outer Contacts: Beryllium Copper, Gold Plated
Dielectric Insulation: PPO Noryl
Insultation Resistance: >100Mohm at 500V DC
Contact Resistance: Bandwidth: DC to 200Mhz /=26dB Return Loss)

Oh well.

It's a connector, guys. It has to carry the signal for about an inch. I wouldn't stress on it.

Ditto.