CptTripps's Killer DIY Interconnects...

CptTripps · « **on:** 3 Apr 2004, 05:56 pm »

I think I found a REAL 'giant killer' of an IC, and it really didn't cost me all that much. Here's what I used...

2 - Serail ATA Cables. (18" or longer…just search Goole for ‘Serial ATA’)
4 - WBT-0108 RCA Connectors
5ft of whatever wire loom you want to cover it in to make it look professional...

Now there are two different types of Serial ATA cable. There is 4-pin and 7-pin. I've tried both, and had the exact same results both times. The 7-pin is a little more substantial, and has seperation that may allow for a more robust sound long-term. I've only got about 100hrs on either of mine right now, so it's kinda soon to tell. (I like the 4-pin best so far.)

The great thing about Serial-ATA cable is that it is shielded out the wazoo. I believer there is an ISO standard for it, so I'm not sure if there is a brand that'll really sound better than another. I've done about 6 pair so far, and used a different manufacturer each time with no audible difference in sound.

If you strip 1” off of the end, you’ll see that there are two center wires, covered with a Teflon coating, and two bare wires at the ends that are bare. All 4 are ‘flat’ and covered with a foil shielding.

I simply used the 2 bare wires as the ground, and the two internal wires as the signal. I cut the shielding back with the outside shieth and cranked them into the connectors. I like using the WBT-0108 because I don’t need a soldering iron, and can experiment without wasting, or junking up a set of expensive connectors.

Here is what I’ve stacked them up against…

ZuCable Varial – Mine sound almost identical,.(SLIGHT edge to the Varial)
Nordost Quattro Fil – Mine had a little deeper soundstage
Cardas Hexlinc Golden 5C – Mine REALLY sounded ‘darker’
Tara-Labs The One – Mine were REAL close. Maybe a little brighter.

My gear is as follows…

Pass-Labs X1 Preamp
Wadia 850 CD Player (GNSC Reference Mod)
Conrad Johnson MV-50 amp
ProAc Tablette 2000s Speakers

With less expensive connectors, these will cost you about $20 to build a pair…I’m going to try it as a digital at a friends house…I’ll let you know how that goes too.

Enjoy!

mdconnelly · « **Reply #1 on:** 3 Apr 2004, 06:52 pm »

I recently purchased a Wadia 830 with GNSC ref mods and already had an ARC SP9 preamp upgraded with Steve's ref mod. I think I've finally got my system to where I can truly discern differences between interconnects.

The rest of my system includes:

Aerial 10T speakers
Levinson 331 amp
Kuzma turntable
Shunyata Hydra

I'm currently using JPS interconnects and speaker cables and have been very pleased with them. But I'm once again thinking about listening to alternatives and your DIY post has me curious. I know that Steve Huntley at GNS is very high on Virtual Dynamics but that's beyond my budget. Any chance he's heard your DIY interconnects?

Occam · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 Apr 2004, 07:58 pm »

CptTripps,

Many thanks for sharing your discovery with your fellow DIYers.....

For reference, anyone interested in the SATA specification may download it here -
http://www.serialata.org/collateral/index.shtml
it is the 1st download, a winzip file that expands to a pdf....

While as you say the 7pin SATA cable (the 4 pin is not), is 'shielded up the wazoo', but as you have constructed your cables, it is not shielded, as you've not connected either pins(wires) 1, 4, or 7. This might well account for its excellent performance, as you've eliminated shield interactions, dunno.... You might find that a shileded, (either 'normal' or telescoping) cable constructed from SATA cable does not perform as well (save for RF shielding) as your unshielded version.

Given the low price of SATA cables, and the technical specs as defined by SATA 1.0, there is no reason to assume the insulation is Teflon. I'm not saying that your cables are not Teflon insulated, but the spec in neutral on such. A burning match can tell you if the insulation is not Teflon....

But these technical quibbles are moot. What matters is that you've found (and shared!) a low cost cable that you have found to be empirically excellent.

Many thanks,
Occam

CptTripps · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Apr 2004, 10:08 pm »

On the 7-pin connector, I'm connecting 1,4,7 as the ground, and 2,3,5,6 as the signal. On the 4pin, I'm using 1,4 as ground, and 2,3 as signal.

I did find one pair fo blue-clear 4-pin that actually DID have a teflon coating on the signal wires. I have NO idea who made them, or even where I got them. The rest appear to be regular-old PVC.

Still Sounds Fantastic though....

mgalusha · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Apr 2004, 11:01 pm »

I found an outfit selling it in bulk. $28.50 for a 10ft length. here Certainly worth playing with at that price.

mike

CptTripps · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Apr 2004, 01:27 am »

Anyone out there that can confirm or de-bunk my findings yet?

_scotty_ · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Apr 2004, 02:32 am »

deleted

Kim S. · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Apr 2004, 12:19 pm »

deleted.

Occam · « **Reply #8 on:** 10 Apr 2004, 06:15 am »

Doug,

Based upon Mgalusha's link, I've found PDFs describing his referenced Hitachi 40405-4 SATA cable -
http://www.google.com/search?q=Hitachi+40405-4&sourceid=mozilla-search&start=0&start=0
I do realize that the description is for that specific cable.....

The appeal of these dual, shielded twinaxial cables, in addition its low cost due to its intended commodity market, is the inherent flexibility of confiiguration. In addition to the 2 configurations you've previously described it is the feasable to use a telescoping shield, where the differential lines provide the signal and signal ground connections, and the shield(s) are only connected at one end. For those of us who require a shielded interconnect due to environmental noise, a low cost cable such as this is potentially quite a find.

You've a very nice system, and I apprecieate your commenting on the cable's performance relative to well know, widely availalble cables. Its very helpful. As nice as your Tablettes are, I'm curious as to how these cables would perform with speakers having more extended bass.

_scotty_ · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 Apr 2004, 08:35 pm »

CptTripps, I apologize for unintentionally hijacking your thread I am deleting my post and I would advise other off topic responders to do likewise. Sorry. Scotty

Kim S. · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Apr 2004, 11:08 am »

CptTripps I apologize also. After I submitted my reply I realized it was off topic. I would delete it too but don't know how!

CptTripps · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 Apr 2004, 02:01 am »

Slow down people...I've got thicker skin than that! I wish I'd have read the comment...sounds like it was a good one. =)

It's all about the music...The other BS comes with it. Now somebody build a set of these so I can have someone else tell me if I'm nuts or not. =)