Rca wire gauge size why does it matter?

10298 Views 45 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Holmz, Jul 18, 2021

trunks9_us

Discussion Starter · Jul 10, 2021

I was talking to someone yesterday on the phone about rca gauge size and I mentioned I was gonna a use some spare 12 gauge silver plated wire to make my rca connections and trim what I need to fit into locking rca plugs which max size seems around 16 gauge I’m gonna get and you know heat shrink everything that will protect it etc etc. I realize it’s over kill and yes it is all short lengths from dsp to amps no hu involved.

He educated me about having to high of a gauge size for rca will yes lower resistance it also he mentioned other things about independence and I think ohm load carry maybe voltage as well? I can’t remember honestly. And I thought rca was nothing more then just signal passing thru from what I have read online.

Forgive me for not going into detail because I am a little confused in this matter tried searching on Google for this matter and couldn’t find a answer. I am just trying to understand they details of why this is bad to use to big of a size for rcas for education as well as decisions on proper wire gauge size for rcas.

Not lookin for answers about quality of rcas just mainly wanting to understand why having to big gauge size for rcas is such a bad thing to do? Asking for a detailed description or even a link on here or somewhere else to mainly understand

1 - 20 of 46 Posts

Holmz

· #2 · Jul 10, 2021

J-Fkn-C... the input impedance into modern amps is 10k to 200k ohms.
(a 26 gauge would be overkill.)

“skin effect” would be a better argument for one gauge over another... and that would support a smaller wire as well.

but maybe he is right... (it would not be a she to make such a claim)

Reactions: 1

156546

· #3 · Jul 10, 2021

Big fat heavy gauge RCA cables are of no use whatsoever as Holmz has written. The input impedance is designed specifically to make this unnecessary.

Sudoku

· #4 · Jul 10, 2021

Cable capacitance? I remember hearing that some home amplifiers, possibly Naim but maybe others, don't react well to cables that have a high capacitance. Not sure how relevant that is for your application though.

Reactions: 1

trunks9_us

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 10, 2021

So is it gonna be a issue if I use the 12gauge and trim it to a 16 gauge ? Like I said I already have wire and I’m gonna use it because I’m not gonna spend more money buying more wire.

clange2485

· #6 · Jul 10, 2021

trunks9_us said:
So is it gonna be a issue if I use the 12gauge and trim it to a 16 gauge ? Like I said I already have wire and I’m gonna use it because I’m not gonna spend more money buying more wire.

Nope, use what you have.

test13371997

· #7 · Jul 10, 2021

size doesn't matter.

Though type of rca you are making does. It depends on the input and output stages of your devices

clange2485

· #8 · Jul 10, 2021

Just made these because that’s what i had on hand.

Will it sound a whole lot better then these probably not, but at least they will be cut to length.

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ckirocz28

· #9 · Jul 10, 2021

Holmz said:
J-Fkn-C... the input impedance into modern amps is 10k to 200k ohms.
(a 26 gauge would be overkill.)

“skin effect” would be a better argument for one gauge over another... and that would support a smaller wire as well.

but maybe he is right... (it would not be a she to make such a claim)

Isn't "skin effect" the reason audio cabling in general has smaller and more numerous strands than the same gauge standard wire, less depth+more surface area=less inductance?
Wikipedia link for those that don't know what "skin effect" is.

en.m.wikipedia.org

Skin effect - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

en.m.wikipedia.org

ckirocz28

· #10 · Jul 10, 2021

clange2485 said:
Just made these because that’s what i had on hand.

View attachment 305593

Will it sound a whole lot better then these probably not, but at least they will be cut to length.

View attachment 305594

Is that coaxial cable? If it is, the 12 gauge sizing is likely the overall diameter, which makes this discussion pointless. If not, let us know if you get any noise. Twisted pair or coaxial is the best construction for rca cables in any case.

dumdum

· #11 · Jul 10, 2021

Capacitance and inductance will be way out of balance… there is a reason rcas have decent sized dielectric and low conductor sizes to get low capacitance and reasonable inductance and low resistance

dumdum

· #12 · Jul 10, 2021

ckirocz28 said:
Is that coaxial cable? If it is, the 12 gauge sizing is likely the overall diameter, which makes this discussion pointless. If not, let us know if you get any noise. Twisted pair or coaxial is the best construction for rca cables in any case.

Not the op, I presume he has 12g speaker cables or something 🙈

the ones pictured look far smaller than 12g especially considering he has two cores in that little 4mm diameter bundle with dielectric as well

ckirocz28

· #13 · Jul 10, 2021

dumdum said:
Not the op, I presume he has 12g speaker cables or something

the ones pictured look far smaller than 12g especially considering he has two cores in that little 4mm diameter bundle with dielectric as well

Oh damn, I got lost.

clange2485

· #14 · Jul 10, 2021

ckirocz28 said:
Is that coaxial cable? If it is, the 12 gauge sizing is likely the overall diameter, which makes this discussion pointless. If not, let us know if you get any noise. Twisted pair or coaxial is the best construction for rca cables in any case.

Not my discussion but yes it is coax.

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clange2485

· #15 · Jul 10, 2021

trunks9_us said:
So is it gonna be a issue if I use the 12gauge and trim it to a 16 gauge ? Like I said I already have wire and I’m gonna use it because I’m not gonna spend more money buying more wire.

If this is 12g speaker wire, which it probably is. I would recommend something else that’s twisted and has some form of shielding. The wire gauge isn’t the issue even though it’s certainly overkill. It’s more the chance of picking up interference and noise. That being said if you have the ends and the wire, go for it and update us if issues arise.

dumdum

· #16 · Jul 10, 2021

Belden 1694a is approx $3 a meter, use that, excellent quality’s for rca cable, it’s very worth buying

trunks9_us

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jul 10, 2021

dumdum said:
Capacitance and inductance will be way out of balance… there is a reason rcas have decent sized dielectric and low conductor sizes to get low capacitance and reasonable inductance and low resistance

Yes this is what the guy was telling me but I need you to dumb this down a little bit for me so I can understand better of why this is bad I want to understand

Ayrton

· #18 · Jul 10, 2021

trunks9_us said:
So is it gonna be a issue if I use the 12gauge and trim it to a 16 gauge ? Like I said I already have wire and I’m gonna use it because I’m not gonna spend more money buying more wire.

Canare Star Quad microphone cable is under $.50 a foot. Why put yourself through the brain damage to save a few dollars?

www.performanceaudio.com

Canare L-4E5C Mini Star Quad Microphone Cable (Black, By the Foot)

Miniature Star Quad Microphone Cable, 23 AWG - Sold by the Foot (Black)

www.performanceaudio.com

Reactions: 1

trunks9_us

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jul 10, 2021

Ayrton said:
Canare Star Quad microphone cable is under $.50 a foot. Why put yourself through the brain damage to save a few dollars?

Canare L-4E5C Mini Star Quad Microphone Cable (Black, By the Foot)

Miniature Star Quad Microphone Cable, 23 AWG - Sold by the Foot (Black)

www.performanceaudio.com

I want to understand the difference of what dumdum said not buying cheaper wire to save money. This is a knowledge thing for me more then it is about money. If the situation is necessary then I will make the decision to change but why would I spend money and let my other wire sit around? Seems kinda dumb to have more stuff then I already have I’m not running a car audio shop man I don’t want more stuff

ckirocz28

· #20 · Jul 10, 2021

trunks9_us said:
Yes this is what the guy was telling me but I need you to dumb this down a little bit for me so I can understand better of why this is bad I want to understand

Capacitance blocks bass, inductance blocks highs.

Reactions: 3

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