[Malcolm Fear]

My wife (Toni) and I had the opportunity to audition interconnects over the last few nights.
The contenders:
89259/89248 combo from Jon Risch's recipe - see http://www.geocities.com/jonrisch/i1.htm
These are beautifully made by John R, using Cardas RCA plugs.

CAT 5 interconnects. I use the solid core, teflon coated. I untwist all of the pairs. I then make loosely braided cables.
Have a look at the new Chimera site for braiding details http://www.chimeralabs.com/ and http://www.chimeralabs.com/diy_braid.html

Using CAT 5, I have:
2 core with cheap gold plated RCA's (Jaycar)
4 core with cheap gold plated RCA's (Jaycar)
4 core with Eichmann bullets (the standard ones).

Results. A score of 10 is a good thing. Anything less is not so good.
10. 89259/89248 combo
10. 4 core with Eichmann bullets
8.  4 core with cheap gold plated RCA's (lost a bit of air)
5.  2 core with cheap gold plated RCA's (lost a bit more air and ambience, not as involving)

A one metre length of CAT 5 will give you a one metre pair of interconnects, whereas 4 metres of the 89259 is required for a metre pair, I am more than happy with the CAT 5.
In Australia, the CAT 5 can be had for about $5 per metre. The 89259 is available at $15 per metre.

[Jens]

Hi Mal,

Very interesting findings. Thanks for sharing them with us.  

My experience with the Eichmann Bullet Plugs is that they improve the sound of any cable. Hence, it would be interesting to know how the Jon Risch combo would fare with the Eichmanns.

When you say 4 cores, does that mean 4 cores per channel?

Another interesting thing would the comparison between "original twist" CAT5 and "loosely braided" CAT5.

Cheers,

Jens

[Malcolm Fear]

Hi Jens
>>When you say 4 cores, does that mean 4 cores per channel?
Yes. If you want a pair of one metre length interconnects, get hold of a metre of CAT 5 (plenum - solid core, teflon coated). Untwist all of the cables. This gives you 4 coloured and 4 white (or striped) strands.
Take 2 coloureds and 2 whites. Braid a cable. Shove a red RCA on each end.
Take the other 2 coloureds and 2 whites. Braid another cable. Shove a black RCA on each end.
There are your pair (left and right) of interconnects.
Cheap as chips.

[Malcolm Fear]

Hi Jens
>>it would be interesting to know how the Jon Risch combo would fare with the Eichmanns.
The 89259 leads were borrowed from John R. He did loan me two sets.
Perhaps I can entice John R to try Eichmanns on one set of leads and report back.

[AKSA]

Malcolm,

My thanks to you, John, Vic and Bart for all the work you are doing on interconnects.  It's very interesting, and what I love about it is that you are using inexpensive materials for premium performance!

I never get excited over hyperexpensive components.     But I do get very worked up over inexpensive materials with stratospheric performance!  

Cheers,

Hugh

[Aragorn]

Malcolm,


Thanks for all the info

May I ask where you source the Eichmann's and the Teflon Cat5 in Sydney?

Kind regards
Hope you are well

DC

[Jens]

Hi Mal,

Thanks for the elucidation about the cables. I am looking forward to experimenting with these things myself. I have a roll of Belden 89259 on its way to me, which should be here in a week or two, and Peter has graciously offered to bring a length of the "Aksaphilian correct" Belden CAT5 with him when he is visiting Denmark in a month's time.

Obviously not much has been done in the way of comparing these DIY cables with stock cables. I will try and get some comparisons done when I have made a few cables, and report back to this forum.

Hugh, just like you I love it when inexpensive materials are found to work a treat! It does make some of those hugely overpriced items out there look very sheepish, doesn't it!  

Cheers,

Jens

[Malcolm Fear]

Hi Arogorn.
We got the CAT 5 through Belden. We went thirds in a 1000 foot roll.
Hugh is now selling the politically correct CAT 5 in Australia.

For Eichmann's have a look at "Aussie Pie" thread.
I have asked the same question there.

[Aragorn]

Thanks very much Malcolm


Regards

DC