Coax vs twisted pair

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wanders

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Joined 2011
#1
I frequently see kit designers specifying coax cable for signal wiring, whereas I would lean toward high quality, shielded, twisted pair. For me the latter is much easier to work with. Are there advantages to coax that I'm not aware of?
 
#2
Twisted pair is generally used for balanced signals, coax for unbalanced. If you are using the shield connection to convey your 0V signal reference on your shielded twisted pair, its probably roughly equivalent to using coax. Coax should be slightly superior though as its going to be more symmetrical internally.
 
#3
wanders said:
I frequently see kit designers specifying coax cable for signal wiring, whereas I would lean toward high quality, shielded, twisted pair. For me the latter is much easier to work with. Are there advantages to coax that I'm not aware of?
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I don't like using stranded signal wire (even though I have unbalanced gear) - so I don't use coax (as the ground leg is the shield - ie. stranded, even if the central core is solid).


Regards,

Andy
 
#5
wanders said:
Then, do you prefer solid core, twisted pair? If so, is it available shielded?
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Yes, I use solid-core 'twisted-pair' construction. As hook-up wire inside an amp case, I normally use 3 strands of 26g for the signal plus 1 strand of 24g for earth - all twisted together. I haven't found the need to shield these.

For interconnects, I use twin-ax ... ie. 2x 24g solid-core wires inside a shield. Belden have such a cable but, sorry, I don't have the number to hand. So as not to 'pollute' the internal earth wire, I do not connect the shield to one end's signal earth RCA plug but, instead, form a 'tail' which I can attach to an earth terminal on the case (at one end).


Regards,

Andy
 
#6
Hi, I have recently been using Mogami quad shielded wire for both interconnects and longer runs inside gear. The shield is only attached on the source end and the pairs are twisted together for a com and hot. Very quiet even on long (3-4 meter) runs. Mogami makes a similar cable that has only a single pair of conductors plus shield and it probably would be as good. The tip to use the quad was from a diyer that also operates a recording studio. BTW the cable comes in colors as well. The color as you should guess has no effect on the signal.
 
#7
gofar99 said:
Hi, I have recently been using Mogami quad shielded wire for both interconnects and longer runs inside gear. The shield is only attached on the source end and the pairs are twisted together for a com and hot. Very quiet even on long (3-4 meter) runs. Mogami makes a similar cable that has only a single pair of conductors plus shield and it probably would be as good. The tip to use the quad was from a diyer that also operates a recording studio. BTW the cable comes in colors as well. The color as you should guess has no effect on the signal.
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I've used both types of Mogami for interconnects and their two-wire for gear. The four wire is a little fatter and, therefore, looks a little better when connected to male rca jacks. H'ever, I haven't noticed any sonic difference. But, I'm interested in new ideas for projects like headphone amps and phono stages. (I'm currently building some Mogami 2921 speaker, bi-wires.)

Thanks to all posters for the ideas.
 
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