My DIY interconnect story

[Andy H]

I decided to have a go at making a set of interconnects myself. I was trying to do it on the cheap so I got an old set old leads out and took the plugs off and was going to use some 75 ohm coax to make a new set. I have never used a soldering iron before but I thought what the hell. Well it was a total disaster, I had to hold the iron on too long to melt the solder and ended up melting the plastic spacers in the plug.[😡]

They say you should never blame your tools well I did. So off I pop to maplin to get a new soldering iron.

Got a good price too, £14.99 reduced from £30. While I was there I needed some new plugs and I saw some cable I liked the look of so got 2m of that, total cost of plugs and lead just short of £20.

Right the, time to start. I stripped the first end and soldered the inner core.

This is when I realised, the plugs I'd bought only soldered on the inner core and not the shield, the shield clamped when it's all screwed together. I'm learning as I go along.

There we go the first inner part of plug soldered on.

The first completed end. Only 3 more to go.

All done now, just had to check them now with my multi meter to make sure the connections are ok with no shorts. I must be honest I now have a great feeling of satisfaction, and I do think they look really good.[😀]

Now the moment of truth, how do they sound. I made these to replace a cheap set that I was using and have been meaning to replace for quite a while. Whilst connecting them up I hit a snag, the plugs are that large in diameter they touch.

OOOH NO!! After a bit of ranting the OH came up with a good idea.

It's amazing what you can do with a bit of cardboard. This is only going to be a temp' solution as I'll try to get some slimmer plugs.

Finaly time to switch on and try them out. Well was I pleasantly surprised, they sounded surprisingly good, good strong bass, nice mids and treble, quite smooth not bright sounding at all (which I hate). I then disconnected them to do a comparison with my other IC's which are Straight Wire Symphonys, I purchased these approx 18 yrs ago at £50 a pair. Plugged them into my cd players 2nd set of outputs so I could play a cd and just switch inputs on my amp and get an immediate comparison.

I was amazed they sounded virtually identical, apart from the ones I made were ever so slightly a bit more forward in the upper bass. I'm so impressed with the results I'm going to start experimenting making more from diff' leads etc to compare. There is lots of information to be found through Google.

Another important lesson I learned, DON'T TOUCH SOLDERING IRONS, THEY'RE VERY HOT [:'(][:'(]

 

[AlmaataKZ]

 

[laserman16]

I think it's great when you do something like that and you're pleased with the result.

 

[idc]

Great job Andy. Are the phonos these ones from Maplins? Clicky If so, is there insulation between the collar that clamps over the the ground and the phono case? I would imagine there is, so it would not matter that the phonos touch. You can check with the multi metre to see if there is any current in the case. They are fatter than other phonos because of that design.

 

[Andy H]

idc:Great job Andy. Are the phonos these ones from Maplins? Clicky If so, is there insulation between the collar that clamps over the the ground and the phono case? I would imagine there is, so it would not matter that the phonos touch. You can check with the multi metre to see if there is any current in the case. They are fatter than other phonos because of that design.

Yes they are the phonos, they do differant sizes to accept various cables. No there is no insulation with the clamp and the outer case, only the central core. On my next cable I'll check out other makes of plugs. I suppose this is part of the learning curve.

After doing a lot of reading, I've found that most of the materials that expensive / exotic cables are made of can be purchased, although sometimes it can be expensive but I'm thinking of building up my soldering skills (as I haven't any)

and maybe spending a bit more and experimenting a bit to see how they compare. When you think I spent just under £20 and they are a match for my £50 cables. Thanks for all your kind comments.

 

[scene]

Very interesting thread - I love to see people having a go at this sort of thing.

Out of interesr what solder did you use, straight tin, or did you go the whole hog and get some silver solder?

 

[Andy H]

Nah bog standard 60/40 solder. I do have some with silver content either 2 or 4%. I didn't use this because I read it's a little trickier to use. With it being my first attempt, I wanted it to be as easy as possible. As I get more experience I plan on using it, especially if I use silver plated wires etc.

 

[scene]

Yes, it is trickier. And you're probably wise to wait until you get some practice in with standard stuff. Talking of which, I should brush up on my technique a bit as I'm horribly rusty...

Look forward to see some more interconnects from you

 

[Anonymous]

Great job! was thinking of doing the same a while back, already have most of the stuff including lots of mylar foil wrap salvaged from a qed scart i used to have so when i can find the time i will be following in your footsteps, Thanks.