Re: Home Studio

["Steve Lauder" <steve.lauder@elspa.com>]

>>> For single-ended line-level connections (phone and RCA jacks), a very
good
and possibly cheap solution is CAT5 computer network cable.  If you work
around someplace with a computer network, you'll find they often throw
used lengths of the stuff out that are yards long.  It has 8 high-grade
copper wires inside, in twisted pairs.  Don't separate the pairs.  <<<


>>> Speaking of RCA jacks, avoid them like the plague!  If you have some in
your system, convert to a decent termination mechanism as soon as you can.
<<<

OK OK, I see someone's experimented a little more than I have.  When it
comes to RCA jacks, you can't really do a lot when they're built in to your
soundcard surely?  And wouldn't it invalidate your warranty to change
connectors on other audio devices too?

>>> The misanthrope who perpetrated standardizing the RCA connector on the
audio equipment of decent human beings should be tortured, forced to
listen to Barry Manilow, and tortured again. <<<

Are you suggesting that listening to Barry Manilow ISN'T torture?


>>> Audio-grade wire is usually a ripoff.  You're paying for packaging and
advertising, not quality.  Find some well-made satellite dish coax with
and all-copper (not copper plated!) conductor and copper foil shield.
Stranded is more flexible if you need that, but solid-core sounds better.
Wire size isn't NEARLY as much of an issue as Monster Cable would have you
believe.  Wire quality and decent insulation are, though, and there's more
to quality wire than "OFC".  <<<

I'm sure CAT-5 cabling IS much better than oxygen-free, but not everyone 
has
access to it.  I agree that the quality of the wire is more important than
the thickness of it, and insulation is a big issue - but isn't good
insulation what OFC is about?  an airtight insulation around the wire?  
I've
never heard of Monster Cable (I stated that I wasn't familiar with brands),
and I wasn't trying to make out that OFC was the be-all and end-all of
everything.  I was merely trying to state that compared to tatty old 
speaker
wire, OFC is a much better and more accessible alternative

>>> I hope you get some improvement in your sound quality through this,
believe
>>> me, it helped a lot with my setup.

>>   I'm sure it did!

Do I detect a note of carcasm in that comment?

Steve