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Post by pop on Mar 26, 2015 17:13:19 GMT -5
So I am placing my order for my XMC tomorrow and was curious if replacing my XLR/RCA cables to XLR/XLR for my stealths is worth doing? Cost would be about $60 shipped from Monoprice. I know it's not that expensive but I don't want to spend the $60 just to spend it.
I run a 5 channel Stealth 6 setup.
EDIT: I am currently using Monoprice RCA to XLR from my UMC-1 to the Stealths. Cables are not in wall and would be easy to replace. Longest length run is for my surrounds both require 25ft cables.
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jlafrenz
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Post by jlafrenz on Mar 26, 2015 17:19:26 GMT -5
What are you currently using for cables?
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Post by pop on Mar 26, 2015 17:24:18 GMT -5
Monoprice RCA to XLR from my UMC to the Stealths
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Post by AudioHTIT on Mar 26, 2015 17:25:05 GMT -5
How much effort would it be to reroute all the cable? Have you spent time making it look nice? I like balanced connections and you probably have enough length to justify the change, but if it's a lot of trouble I might try it the way it is first, it will give you something to do later if you want. It's hard for anyone else to say if you'll hear the difference as each electrical environment is different, balanced cables could be quieter.
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Post by pop on Mar 26, 2015 17:28:52 GMT -5
How much effort would it be to reroute all the cable? Have you spent time making it look nice? I like balanced connections and you probably have enough length to justify the change, but if it's a lot of trouble I might try it the way it is first, it will give you something to do later if you want. It's hard for anyone else to say if you'll hear the difference as each electrical environment is different, balanced cables could be quieter. I just posted an edit with a bit more detail. When the speakers are on with no sound I can hear a very low hiss if I put my ear rather close to the speaker. You can't hear it away from the speakers, but if you are checking for it, it's there. |
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Post by sonicseeker on Mar 26, 2015 17:31:04 GMT -5
How much effort would it be to reroute all the cable? Have you spent time making it look nice? I like balanced connections and you probably have enough length to justify the change, but if it's a lot of trouble I might try it the way it is first, it will give you something to do later if you want. It's hard for anyone else to say if you'll hear the difference as each electrical environment is different, balanced cables could be quieter. I just posted an edit with a bit more detail. When the speakers are on with no sound I can hear a very low hiss if I put my ear rather close to the speaker. You can't hear it away from the speakers, but if you are checking for it, it's there. Hiss is normal. |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Mar 26, 2015 17:46:51 GMT -5
I just posted an edit with a bit more detail. When the speakers are on with no sound I can hear a very low hiss if I put my ear rather close to the speaker. You can't hear it away from the speakers, but if you are checking for it, it's there. Hiss is normal. Yes, hiss is likely coming from the Stealth amps, or the preamp, it probably won't change with balanced cables but could possibly change with the XMC-1. Balanced cables more often prevent induced hum. |
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Post by Canuck_fr on Mar 26, 2015 17:52:58 GMT -5
If you want to know if it comes from the UMC or anywhere upstream, just disconnect your cable to see if the hiss is still there.
If it disapears, you may want to try replacing your cables.
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geebo
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Post by geebo on Mar 26, 2015 19:37:44 GMT -5
How about getting the appropriate Monoprice connectors and replace the RCAs?
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Post by AudioHTIT on Mar 26, 2015 21:16:54 GMT -5
How about getting the appropriate Monoprice connectors and replace the RCAs? I thought about suggesting that too, if you're good at soldering. You could get any decent XLR connector, cut off (or unsolder) the RCAs and solder the new XLR's on. |
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Post by plm on Mar 26, 2015 21:54:59 GMT -5
That assumes the cables are balanced and not coaxial. An RCA-XLR connector ties pins 1 and 3 together in the XLR, so the cable doesn't have to be balanced in the first place.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Mar 26, 2015 22:07:46 GMT -5
That assumes the cables are balanced and not coaxial. An RCA-XLR connector ties pins 1 and 3 together in the XLR, so the cable doesn't have to be balanced in the first place. I considered that and happened to also have a pair of Monoprice RCA to XLR cables, mine say they are 'balanced' cables so they should have two conductors and shield.  |
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geebo
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Post by geebo on Mar 26, 2015 22:10:58 GMT -5
I thought about suggesting that too, if you're good at soldering. You could get any decent XLR connector, cut off (or unsolder) the RCAs and solder the new XLR's on. I considered that and happened to also have a pair of Monoprice RCA to XLR cables, mine say they are 'balanced' cables so they should have two conductors and shield. View AttachmentI had a 15' Monoprice XLR > RCA cable and it is indeed the same three conductor cable they use with their XLR > XLR cables. I cut it up and made 4 balanced cables. |
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Post by plm on Mar 26, 2015 22:40:21 GMT -5
That's got to be the ideal solution then. Still need to check that they have wired the two twisted conductors to pins 2 and 3 in the XLR end, but that's easy to remedy if not. You have to crack open the XLR regardless to see which colour coding they used.
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geebo
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Post by geebo on Mar 27, 2015 6:47:23 GMT -5
That's got to be the ideal solution then. Still need to check that they have wired the two twisted conductors to pins 2 and 3 in the XLR end, but that's easy to remedy if not. You have to crack open the XLR regardless to see which colour coding they used. Yes, they wired to XLR end just like they do the XLR cables. |
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Post by pop on Mar 27, 2015 9:11:11 GMT -5
Great suggestion guys! And that would be a fun project. Also it would allow me to cut the cables to the exact necessary size. Since they are in a HT room now, there is no more moving speakers around. Where they stay is where they stay.
I've never done this type of work before. What tools would I need?
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Post by creimes on Mar 27, 2015 9:17:06 GMT -5
Great suggestion guys! And that would be a fun project. Also it would allow me to cut the cables to the exact necessary size. Since they are in a HT room now, there is no more moving speakers around. Where they stay is where they stay. I've never done this type of work before. What tools would I need? Sledge Hammer, Axe, Tile Cutter and a Hockey Stick  , oh wait wrong thread |
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Post by creimes on Mar 27, 2015 9:18:08 GMT -5
How about soldering Iron, side cutters and maybe a little pair of needle nose clamps
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Post by AudioHTIT on Mar 27, 2015 9:41:17 GMT -5
How about soldering Iron, side cutters and maybe a little pair of needle nose clamps Yes, also some good thin solder and wire stripper. An Ohm meter is handy for identifying the pin/color scheme and testing your work, but you can get by with visual identification and just plugging them in to see if they work (but I think everyone with an audio system needs at least a cheap VOM). |
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, oh wait wrong thread