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Post by zleepy on Aug 30, 2021 18:02:43 GMT
I need some advice. I have a new tonearm incoming, the supatrac blackbird. It's internal arm wire is terminated in a DIN connector. Hence, I cannot use my RCA-RCA spotfire for that unless I come up with a new RCA box of some sort for the arm which I am not willing to do at this stage.
I could buy some ready made RCA-DIN tonearm cable but I want to make my own. Now to the question, how do I join the two RCA:s neatly to one 5 pin DIN connector? I intend to make the cable out of two lengths of RCA cables. When looking at commercial cables the DIN end is always neatly round and looks as flexible as the individual RCA:s cables.
I also struggle to find pure copper DIN connectors. This is something that matters to me. Any sources and suggestions welcome!
/Karl
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Post by firebottle on Aug 30, 2021 18:09:46 GMT
Good luck in that, I doubt you will find copper DIN connectors.
They were always a low cost option.
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Post by zleepy on Aug 30, 2021 18:16:16 GMT
Oh, I thought it was the other way around! Well, might have to reconsider the termination of the internal wire... Yes, I am that anal.  |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 30, 2021 19:00:11 GMT
I need some advice. I have a new tonearm incoming, the supatrac blackbird. It's internal arm wire is terminated in a DIN connector. Hence, I cannot use my RCA-RCA spotfire for that unless I come up with a new RCA box of some sort for the arm which I am not willing to do at this stage. I could buy some ready made RCA-DIN tonearm cable but I want to make my own. Now to the question, how do I join the two RCA:s neatly to one 5 pin DIN connector? I intend to make the cable out of two lengths of RCA cables. When looking at commercial cables the DIN end is always neatly round and looks as flexible as the individual RCA:s cables. I also struggle to find pure copper DIN connectors. This is something that matters to me. Any sources and suggestions welcome! /Karl You won't fit normal 2x RCA interconnect cable into any stock Din plug, so scrap that idea. You need very fine wire for this particular length of cable, and it needs to be very good quality. Good luck. |
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Post by karma67 on Aug 30, 2021 19:11:44 GMT
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Post by zleepy on Aug 31, 2021 5:20:21 GMT
Thanks all. This idea seems like a no go from the start. I thought I could strip the insulation and somehow manage to fit the two signal cables and signal returns into the DIN socket. This of course depends heavily on the construction of the RCA cable. I'll inspect them once I get them. Still an option to get rid of the DIN connector and terminate the arm wires into RCA sockets at the back of the plinth. Should have done that before I put paint and clear coat on it but was too lazy then. Or too eager to get my Lenco up and running. |
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 31, 2021 7:40:31 GMT
Thanks all. This idea seems like a no go from the start. I thought I could strip the insulation and somehow manage to fit the two signal cables and signal returns into the DIN socket. This of course depends heavily on the construction of the RCA cable. I'll inspect them once I get them. Still an option to get rid of the DIN connector and terminate the arm wires into RCA sockets at the back of the plinth. Should have done that before I put paint and clear coat on it but was too lazy then. Or too eager to get my Lenco up and running. The best plan is to terminate those wires into RCA sockets, as you say. Ther solder buckets on the back of the din plug are very small and trying to fit anything of the gauge used in interconnects into this is going to be horrible and very difficult. |
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Post by sq225917 on Sept 2, 2021 14:51:57 GMT
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 2, 2021 14:56:26 GMT
Great shout. I can put you in touch with the guy who made this for me:  Just realised I never replaced those RCA sockets! |
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Post by antonio on Sept 3, 2021 1:19:31 GMT
Are those MPS rca plugs, and if so are they good?
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 3, 2021 6:47:51 GMT
Are those MPS rca plugs, and if so are they good? Yes, and yes. |
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Post by zleepy on Sept 3, 2021 10:53:33 GMT
Thanks a bunch for the suggestions! I do appreciate it! My goal is to have as few and as high quality connection points as possible so that rules out any adapters. Yes I know I am anal with this but I don't think I am the worst nutcase on this forum . I have thought about something similar to that RCA box Oli. It would be nice to have a few more pics of it to understand how it is attached. Is it attached straight to the tonearm pillar and how is the connection made? That has the advantage of keeping the fragile tonearm wires as short as possible and protected. The wires doesn't exit the pillar, right? /Karl |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2021 23:02:24 GMT
I strip the insulator half an inch, cover in heatshrink, and solder Mogami 5249 into the DIN. It's not beautiful, but it's tidy and it works. Each SUPATRAC arm comes with a two-RCA-to-one-DIN cable. You can have a straight or right-angle DIN plug.
I have not come across any problems with this arrangement and it has been used by many arm manufacturers like SME and Linn.
There should be no problem making your own with your preferred plugs and conductors.
HTH
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 12, 2021 12:58:41 GMT
Thanks a bunch for the suggestions! I do appreciate it! My goal is to have as few and as high quality connection points as possible so that rules out any adapters. Yes I know I am anal with this but I don't think I am the worst nutcase on this forum . I have thought about something similar to that RCA box Oli. It would be nice to have a few more pics of it to understand how it is attached. Is it attached straight to the tonearm pillar and how is the connection made? That has the advantage of keeping the fragile tonearm wires as short as possible and protected. The wires doesn't exit the pillar, right? /Karl No, wires are firmly kept inside the pillar. I'll try and find a pic of the box.... |
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 12, 2021 12:59:47 GMT
I strip the insulator half an inch, cover in heatshrink, and solder Mogami 5249 into the DIN. It's not beautiful, but it's tidy and it works. Each SUPATRAC arm comes with a two-RCA-to-one-DIN cable. You can have a straight or right-angle DIN plug. I have not come across any problems with this arrangement and it has been used by many arm manufacturers like SME and Linn. There should be no problem making your own with your preferred plugs and conductors. HTH Other than its Mogami? đŸ˜‰ |
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Post by antonio on Sept 13, 2021 0:11:36 GMT
"Other than it's Mogami"  When Firebottle says I'm harsh on another thread, dare I say, this is way harsher still. I've got a Mogami interconnect with bullet plugs and it has bettered far more expensive opposition from well know brands. One question, soldering two wires together, would that not negate the more expensive options qualities, especially with the solder? |
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Post by karma67 on Sept 13, 2021 3:46:03 GMT
One question, soldering two wires together, would that not negate the more expensive options qualities, especially with the solder? which 2 wires are they? |
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Post by antonio on Sept 13, 2021 4:28:50 GMT
The two mentioned above, tonearm cable and Mogami, but really it could be any two wires.
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 13, 2021 5:52:13 GMT
"Other than it's Mogami" When Firebottle says I'm harsh on another thread, dare I say, this is way harsher still. I've got a Mogami interconnect with bullet plugs and it has bettered far more expensive opposition from well know brands. One question, soldering two wires together, would that not negate the more expensive options qualities, especially with the solder? Mogami is one of the better budget cables out there, no doubt. I use it in my Chinese "Naim" copy amplifier and it does a splendid job.......in the garage. Also, not sure what you mean by "solder two cables together" |
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Post by karma67 on Sept 13, 2021 7:18:21 GMT
That’s 2 of us wondering then!
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Post by zleepy on Sept 13, 2021 8:30:54 GMT
To Richard (Supatrac); I am in no way implying that there would be anything wrong with the arm wire, connections or tonearm cable that you supply. I was a bit reluctant to post my question because I knew it would be hard for some to understand what I am trying to achieve. Like I said, I am very picky with what cables (and connectors!) I am using. I will probably at some point try other arm wires, connectors and tonearm cables than the ones supplied. I will for sure get to know the arm first with original cables. It might sound so good I will forget about this topic anyway . /Karl |
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Post by zleepy on Sept 13, 2021 8:33:37 GMT
Oli, still intrested in pics of how the RCA box is installed though . Is it attached to the tonearm pillar or to the underside of the plinth? |
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 13, 2021 8:49:10 GMT
Oli, still intrested in pics of how the RCA box is installed though . Is it attached to the tonearm pillar or to the underside of the plinth? It's literally just a din connection on a metal shaft connected to a metal box with two RCAs on. Not fitted to the plinth, just the tonearm. Aluminium so it's light enough not to come loose. |
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 13, 2021 8:54:57 GMT
To Richard (Supatrac); I am in no way implying that there would be anything wrong with the arm wire, connections or tonearm cable that you supply. I was a bit reluctant to post my question because I knew it would be hard for some to understand what I am trying to achieve. Like I said, I am very picky with what cables (and connectors!). I will probably at some point try other arm wires, connectors and tonearm cables than the ones supplied. I will for sure get to know the arm first with original cables. It might sound so good I will forget about this topic anyway . /Karl To be fair, this is one of the best places to post cable questions as most of the people here won't jump on you for it. First tonearm cable I built was made with Mogami. It was good. But easily bettered for reasonable money. I'd suggest sticking to your guns in regard to you choice of material etc. |
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Post by antonio on Sept 13, 2021 13:53:08 GMT
That’s 2 of us wondering then! That makes 3 of us Please ignore my post about soldering two wires together, I've completely misunderstood, that goes for you as well Bigman. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2021 18:07:12 GMT
I'm quite agnostic about cables, but I respect other people's experience and preferences. For this reason I decided to furnish the Blackbird with not too expensive a cable which is generally well-regarded, while at the same time making it very easy to re-wire for those who have strong preferences. I have to supply a cable otherwise it's not ready-to-go out of the box, but I knew it would be impossible to satisfy everyone, so I've settled on a compromise. The arm comes with a through cable clamp to help those who wish to run an unbroken cable from cartridge to amplifier. Here's a 3D image which I hope is self-explanatory:  |
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