Sweet! I’m definitely going to try some other types of Burl for sure.
Some of these cables look very very nice, even the heavy duty ones.
I have a question I can’t seem to find an answer to, maybe because it’s too simple:
What is the essential difference, if any, between headphone cables and interconnects? I mean, if I have one end plugged into the source and it’s a 3.5mm (1/4) trs, and the other side is a dual rca connection, I can just plug them into my headphones with an adapter plug. BUT, am I missing something? Is there a certain configuration that I’m not taking into account? Is it just the portability and comfort of having a lighter and more flexible cable?
I ask because I’m still new at this and the jump between the price of cheap replacement cables and recognized quality ones is too high for me. Whereas adapted 3.5 to double rca cables isn’t so steep. At least here in Italy as far as I’m aware.
Cables are cables, as long as it’s stranded wire it should be ok. The problem is with solid core wires, those break if you flex them too much.
You can try Sonic Craft, i’ve ordered from there before.
http://www.soniccraft.com/index.php/neotech-wire-pvc-strand-cu-c-296_175_183_220
18 AWG even with PVC insulation is quite thicc
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Typically interconnects are adapters or to connect between two pieces of equipment. Amp to DAC cables are sold as interconnects and are sold shorter for stacked equipment. You could buy and use RCA cables but they would be too long for stacked use, and interconnects are too short for typical cable use.
Hart Audio makes “interconnects” for their headphone cables. The headphones are terminated into mini-4pin xlr and then that would plug into a mini 4pin to 1/4 jack, 3.5mm, 2.5mm, XLR, ect. If I buy different equipment using 4.4mm then I would need just an interconnect from mini-4pin to the 4.4mm adapter.
Thin strip of red and blue shrink wrap at the base of the connector.
Just wanted to post a warning to all the DIYers in this thread.
I recently purchased a rather expensive modular connector (similar to the Dunu interlocking ones) for a cable build
This is the item in question:
It’s a Hakugei and it’s from Chitty’s Store
My issues started when I contacted them to say that the contact pins were attached to a loose plastic sheath that needed to be static and the whole mechanism was poorly designed and wouldn’t work. Their reply was to say they’d contacted the manufacture and I should just glue it.
That’s right. Glue to correct the design flaw of a £92 termination.
Anyway, after glueing the product and when the cable I needed for the build finally arrived (from a different store) I was outside of the return window, but I thought it would be fine as I still wanted the product.
Having wired and soldered everything in place, I was trying to get the polarities right using my multimeter and it turns out the pins inside the connector don’t even make contact with the jack itself properly! Only half of the contacts were live.
Having contacted the store, they insisted I’d soldered it incorrectly.
I supplied them with this video to show that the soldering was fine and that their product was the problem, not my soldering:
Here’s the video - you can see all four wires flowing properly (streamable video link)
I’ve sent them this information, they’ve since ignored me.
Make sure you don’t give this company your business as they’re extremely rude and ESPECIALLY avoid this expensive waste-of-time product too.
Happy to answer any questions on this. Thanks for reading. 
Hopefully I save a few of you out there from this mistake.
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There are a lot of low quality products on Aliexpress and returns are often more expensive than buying another one. I would recommend you to find a seller with good reputation, otherwise it’s hard to know if you’ll get something of decent quality.
Yep - QYFANG is usually pretty good, so is Electro Acousti. However these terminations aren’t very common, so I’m just trying to make sure others aren’t burned by these people and are aware that they’re pretty poor when it comes to service and quality. Definitely not one for your “good reputation” list.
That is a sexy cable… I’ve spent numerous hours covering their site trying to look at paracord patterns… You chose well!
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I just got a cable for my Ananda, Sundara, HP-3, and Elear from Bryan at Zynsonix Cables and it’s a great cable. I’ve never been one to believe in cables improving SQ on headphones but I feel like all 4 sound a touch more resolving. Now it may be a placebo effect but I don’t think so. Besides the SQ the cable is very well made with a nice Furutech 4-pin XLR connector and his top of the line Ballista cable with 99.99997% pure copper and silver-clad copper.
I’m glad I came across Bryan and Zynsonix because I’d never heard of them before but I know where I’m going to get my cables from now on.
ha I do the exact same thing. I have two more on the way too, so hard to pick.
Made some cables the past two weeks, for the Elex and HD58X.
I originally made an Elex cable with stripped Mogami w2893 wire, but that didn’t keep it’s shape very well after braiding, and it was too stiff. After figuring out what some cable shops use, I went with different materials. The Elex one is made with copper litz wire, and the 58X one is made with silver plated copper wire. I personally like the feel and flexibility of the litz wire more.
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beautiful work and photo
A far more modest contribution, just a simple addition of two RCA female to 3.5mm male adaptors to a 10 ft. SKW OCC 2x RCA to 3.5mm interconnect.
Sound is fantastic as far as I can see, again far better than the stock cable, although it’s not for moving around with too much as it’s a little stiff. 43 euros in total, and no noise at all even with cheap generic adaptors. Still trying to find good quality rca to 3.5mm adaptors. I use them on my sundaras. very happy with it.
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Some new custom solid all hand braided cables for @Onaha on the way! Sennheiser 16 core 3.5" and Audeze LCD4i 8 core 3.5" both with Burl wood Y splits and Pentaconn connectors.
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Can’t wait! Both look really great, and I’m looking forward to getting them in my hands
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Kinda all in on Hart already, but dang that braiding looks good
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