I found a page on the net, which was very informative on how to build a really good signal cable (The Max Rochlin Memorial Cable) for your sound system. It was really easy to build and it looks really good. I made a slightly modified (low tech) version of the cable, which is shown here, though I still call it the Max Rochlin Memorial Cable. For a better version, check out the original. My cable is not the real thing, and I don't want to get credit for something I've simplified, and which I've learnt most of from the web. The original cable use some fancier methods for soldering the cable (using golden spray and solder with high quantities of silver), which probably makes the cable sound even better. But on the other hand, I'm perfectly happy with my cables.
To build a cable this is the only thing you need to do:
The parts needed to build a Max Rochlin Memorial Cable are:
This is all you need to build the cable:
Other than the parts mentioned above, you need the following:
First of all, you just cut a suitalble piece of cable. I usually make mine about one meter long. Then you get to use that really cool special tool to make a perfect cut in the cable and remove some shielding. I really like that tool (for which I don't have a good name in english). A couple of revs with the tool, and there! It's perfect! Works every time. I got that tool in a set of crimp tools for about 14 Euros.
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Use that other cool tool of yours, the Crimp tool, to mount the connector to the cable. It sure helps to use one of them "third hand" holders when you make the soldering joint. Othervise it is really easy to burn yourself. Don't do that. It hurts (a lot).
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Now you put on the plastic shielding (black mesh). It is not really necessary, but it makes the cable look really cool. Put on the housing on the connector, and MAKE SURE YOU DON'T FORGET THE SECOND ONE! If you do (forget), you have to cut off the cable and start all over again. Every now and then, no matter how experienced you are, you forget. I wonder why.
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Here I've crimped and soldered the second connector. Look! I didn't forget the second housing before I soldered. Look how nicely I've taped the black mesh to protect it from my soldering iron. I'm getting older... Kind of grown up. I never did that when I was younger.
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The plastic heat shrink is on and I've heated one of the sides.
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And there... It's done! Both sides heated (and shrunk). Look how nice it looks (and how easy it was to build)! The plastic black mesh, found in most better electronics shops (like ELFA in Sweden), and the heat shrink is purely esthetic and have nothing to do with the function of the cable. But they sure make the cable look nice.
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This is a close up...
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And here the cables are connected to my DVD player and a passive attenuator I've built in absence of a pre amplifier (which I have not yet built). The cables make perfect gifts for your (not so fanatic) friends. I've given away dozens of them so far and my friends like them a lot.
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Since one of my goals is to help other people getting started as well, I'll just go ahead and list my references and links on the web.
Links in no particular order:
Links referenced to in the text above