Rca wire gauge size why does it matter?

10202 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

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Holmz

· #41 · Jul 14, 2021 (Edited)

I have a bit of Audioquest in the haus and actually sort of knew one of their founders briefly through a roommate decades ago.

In the car I am using Magomi and Neutrik’s ProFi RCAs,… which i get from Markertech. I suspect that all the brands mentioned by Aryton would hard to distinguish from each other in real-life. (but at least they look different)

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Ayrton

· #42 · Jul 14, 2021

Yes, don’t over think it. Canare Star Quad is extremely affordable and with any decent connector will rival any RCA regardless of price.

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Ayrton

· #43 · Jul 14, 2021

Here is one of the better DIY RCA articles I have come across

How to Solder: An Illustrated DIY Guide to Making Your...

How to Solder: An Illustrated DIY Guide to Making Your Own Audio Cables Part 1: Choosing a Good-Quality Cable Part 2: Choosing a Quality RCA Connector Part 3: Assembling the Necessary Tools and Supplies Part 4: Soldering RCA Plugs Part 5: Soldering XLR and 1/4” connectors Most...

www.hometheatershack.com

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ckirocz28

· #44 · Jul 16, 2021

Holmz said:
The easiest way would be one set of RCAs into a summing (differencing) amp, and the ones being tested into the side of a differencing amp.

Then one gets the difference between the two setups.

I've got a DATSv3, that's how I tested it before (measuring inductance, capacitance, and impedance), but that was just 1 rca. And I forgot to do the test this week, maybe in the next few days.

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ckirocz28

· #45 · Jul 18, 2021

Holmz said:
What is the mechanism causing this?

I am pretty sure that the inductance formula has the area and number of turns being the main contributors. And in the twisted pair that area gets reduced from the pairing... and then reduced more with the twisting.

Here you go. I didn't have a spare 12 foot coax rca so I just tested the Stinger 4000 series 12 foot rca's (twisted pair). The coils were about 3.5 inches in diameter, so about 13 or 14 coils. The first picture is with the cable straight, second is coiled, third is coiled but tested in a way that simulates a balanced signal (clips hooked up to center and ground on one end, cable shorted at the other end). The third picture is the one that shows the benefit of twisted pairs, but that only works with balanced signals. Inductance is shown top right of the T/S specs window.

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Holmz

· #46 · Jul 18, 2021

ckirocz28 said:
Here you go. I didn't have a spare 12 foot coax rca so I just tested the Stinger 4000 series 12 foot rca's (twisted pair). The coils were about 3.5 inches in diameter, so about 13 or 14 coils. The first picture is with the cable straight, second is coiled, third is coiled but tested in a way that simulates a balanced signal (clips hooked up to center and ground on one end, cable shorted at the other end). The third picture is the one that shows the benefit of twisted pairs, but that only works with balanced signals. Inductance is shown top right of the T/S specs window.
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Well.. It is sorta hard to argue against facts

and very well done on the third test worth the shorting.
(I am not sure i understand it, but i know it is significant.)

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