BYO Cable Guide - Parts List

Hi all,

As requested, i have created this sticky to provide the links to the materials i currently use for my interconnects and speaker cables. All of these parts are readily available and are exceptionally easy to work with. A basic soldering iron, decent silver solder and around 20 minutes is all that you will require for the job.

Please note, product descriptions can be used in an eBay/AliExpress/Google search.

Interconnects:

SAEC SL-1980 PC-Triple C cable

MPS Pioneer 8G (Gold Plated) RCA plugs

WBT Solder


NOTE: You do not have to use the same RCA plugs as me, but the supplied ones are brass and total crap. I would avoid Rhodium plated plugs like the plague. As long as the plugs are either Gold plated Copper or pure Silver (NOT BRASS!) you will be ok. Must have a minimum cable acceptance of 8mm. You can also substitute the Silver solder for leaded solder. Lead free solder is not recommended.

Q: Can i convert the SL-1980 into the SL-5000?!

A: Read on! Here's what SAEC have to say about the SL-5000:

SAEC SL-5000 is a high-quality line cable that uses the world's first new conductor PC-Triple C, which was developed exclusively for acoustics. PC-Triple C realizes excellent conduction and acoustic performance by reducing the number of crystal particles that interfere with signal transmission as much as possible by using our unique continuous forging and stretching technology, and by making the crystals and grain boundaries continuous in the longitudinal direction. SAEC has received information and materials from the development stage of the PC-Triple C conductor through a strong relationship with the development manufacturer, and is convinced that the excellent characteristics of this conductor are the most suitable cable for audio cables etc. I decided. SL-5000 takes into consideration the skin effect of the previous model SL-4000 and further develops the theory of changing the conductor composition of the central part and the outer peripheral part of the conductor. In addition, we have adopted a two-layer structure in which thin wires are placed on the outer circumference. SL-5000 is a super reference line cable that transmits music signals extremely faithfully with a unified tone in all ranges from low to high frequencies.


Reading between the lines, it appears that the SL5000 is possibly using two different strand sizes, but the cross section of copper is exactly the same as the SL1980 (0.75mm2)

It's probably not possible to exactly replicate that cable, although you could incorperate the other aspects that contribute to their cost and performance. All you will need is a length of Carbon infused braiding, a FINEMET or RFI Bead (ID 8-9mm) and a bit of heatshrink to hold it in place. In my experience the braid does have an effect on the sound but YMMV.


Speaker Cable:

Either: Acoustic Revive SPC-Reference PC-Triple C (Solid Core 2.5mm2) OR SAEC SPC-850 PC-Triple C (Stranded 3.5mm2)

For connections, I recommend Gold Plated pure copper Bananas or spades. I use Monosaudio B80 Gold Plated Bananas.

NOTE: Avoid soldering speaker cables. Crimping or Screw down fixings are preferable. With the AR cable, you can clamp down tightly to the bare solid core but you will need to perform some de-oxit duties periodically to prevent oxidisation affecting performance.


Mains Cables:

For sources (CD/Streamer/Reclockers/Phonostages etc) I use 1.9-2.5mm2 Conductors.

For Power hungry devices like Amplifiers or powered speakers, i would usually use 2.5-4mm2 Conductors.

The Furutech range of PC-Triple C cables are the only ones of this type that i have experimented with so far, but it has made a very positive impression on me.

Acoustic Revive also do a few types of PC-Triple C power cables too.

For the UK 3 pin plug, i chose a FURUTECH FI-1363 (Cu)

For the IEC end, i use a IeGO Pure Copper IEC


TAKE CARE when building mains cables!! We accept no responsibility for injury or death due to trying any recommended DIY project.