Does anyone know how to wire a 3 conductor + shield audio cable to RCA plugs? I have some semi high end wire that I would like to build some interconnects and am fairly sure how to connect the source end but not the other end. I think the shield and two separate conductors attach to the RCA ground and I know the shield does not connected on the load end. What to do with the two separate ground wires on the load end? Some of the cable manufactures are calling this type of cable "Triple Balanced Geometry"????
Thanks, I think the answer was on page 18 of AudioQuest cable theory link. One positive signal, two negative signal, and shield attached at one end.
That sounds OK, same as "pseudo-balanced" only with two returns instead of one, I don't see the point of two returns though
Given that the OP is starting with the wrong cable, any connections will be a compromise.
The right cable for unbalanced interconnects is one conductor plus shield.
The right cable for unbalanced interconnects is one conductor plus shield.
I also don't see the point of two returns. I was going to leave it unattached until I read the Audioquest theory article even though don't exactly address the reason for using two returns. It might be because they manufacture one cable designed for balanced termination and they can also use it with RCA's to save costs??
I wouldn't take any notice of what Audioquest say to be honest. You might find this interesting, lots of useful discussion and links even if I say so myself 😉 Cable shield as a Faraday cage
That Audioquest "cable theory" is pure nonsense. It can be ignored. I must admit that I didn't read all of it; I have better things to do with my time than read nonsense.
I didn't read any of it, well, the first couple of sentences, just got the link via a Google search 🙂
The correct cable for an unbalanced RCA analog interconnect is a coax with a heavy braided shield. While a 2 or 3 conductor + shield cable could have 20dB or more Common Impedance Coupling noise.
The correct cable for a digital RCA interconnect is a coax with a 75 ohm impedance.
The correct cable for a digital RCA interconnect is a coax with a 75 ohm impedance.
Oh poop, I think all of my interconnects are 2 and 3 wire plus shield. Shield end connected to one RCA end . I thought signal ground return through the shield was not a good thing.
I get the 75 ohm for digital but keep in mind the RCA’s are not 75 ohm. Be nice if we used something like a SMA or BNC for digital.
I get the 75 ohm for digital but keep in mind the RCA’s are not 75 ohm. Be nice if we used something like a SMA or BNC for digital.
Did you wade through the thread and all the links, there is a lot of information there, you can use your STP successfully, leaving the shield unterminated at one end may not be the best way to do it
If the interconnects are less than 3 meters (10 feet) long, it probably won't matter.
Digital audio is at such low frequencies, the RCA connectors don't even enter the equation. In fact only when the cable approaches the 10 meter (33 foot) length does the cable impedance start to matter.
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