what is star quad geometry?

beat · « **on:** 16 Feb 2005, 12:08 am »

Hey guys,
what exactly is star quad and how do you make it?? I wanted to try some speaker cables with thhn or the like.
thanks,
beat

JoshK · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 Feb 2005, 01:50 am »

take four wires (put them together like the ends of a '+') and twist them (clockwise), that is star quad.

do a google search on 'Canare' and 'star quad' it should bring up the white paper that is the most relevant.

mgalusha · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 Feb 2005, 02:14 am »

Darren,

If you want to play with some of the Canare I have a lot of the 4S-11. This is a star quad with 4 x 14ga wires. I'd be happy to send you 20ft if you like.

Mike

JoshK · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 Feb 2005, 04:51 am »

Something to keep in mind. Star quad has 1.5 times the capacitance as a twisted pair (thanks to Occam for that info) which itself has more capacitance than untwisted pair. Do I need to mention that braided cables, such as the CAT5 DIY cables have an ungodly amount of capacitance? IIRC though, twisted cables have less inductance than non-twisted as well as offer RFI rejection. So there are trade offs to be had. I guess a lot depends on what the output stage of your amp can handle.

beat · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 Feb 2005, 06:09 am »

Thanks guys,
So basically it is just a twisted quad really. If this is the case, I already have played around with some of 4-12ga..I thought it sounded pretty nice but kinda bright even after break in. Thanks for the offer Mike. Are you interested in selling it? I just needed to create some nice looking decent cables for a job I'm finishing up. I'm just going to cover it in techflex, shrink wrap and terminate. So if you wanted to unload it for some $$, this could be your chance!!

For my own use, I think I might try something solid core next. Maybe not a quad or anything tightly braided or twisted but something inbetween. What do you think Josh?

cheers

Magic Robert · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 Feb 2005, 06:35 am »

I have had great luck with 4s11 with Hornshoppe horns and a Decware SET amp. If you are in the market to part with some, I would be interested too. I have an AV setup to wire now...

It never ends, does it?

mgalusha · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 Feb 2005, 02:53 pm »

It is just that, a basic twisted quad. I purchased a 328 ft spool of this to experiment with and have most of if left. If you're interested, I'll post something in the for sale area as I don't want to clutter up the lab.

Mike

JoshK · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 Feb 2005, 03:00 pm »

Mike,

Try using some of the Canare for power cords. I have been told it makes an excellent power cord.

mgalusha · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 Feb 2005, 03:06 pm »

Josh,

It might indeed make a nice power cord. Hmmm. I think I have a set of Furutech plugs in the shop that need a home. May have to give it a try. It's not specified for power use but I believe the jacket says 300 volts on it. Perhaps I'll spiral a gound conductor around the outside.

mike

JoshK · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 Feb 2005, 03:09 pm »

It seems like it would make a nice power cord and of course it is nice and flexible.

beat · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 Feb 2005, 03:36 pm »

I made a power cord from some different 4c 12g speaker cable. It actually works really well on my office's jolida 202.

hanguy · « **Reply #11 on:** 16 Feb 2005, 03:53 pm »

Take a look at Chris VenHaus' DIY power cord page. His top of the line Flavor 4 PC is a star quad core with a ground wire spiral around it. I have two of them and they are extremely good.

http://www.venhaus1.com/diymains.html

Mike