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Gear / Technical Help => Cables => Topic started by: mmadd29 on October 10, 2007, 10:47:48 AM

Title: Looking for quality XLR cable
Post by: mmadd29 on October 10, 2007, 10:47:48 AM
Hi all,
I'm looking to buy some 6 foot male to female XLR cables.  I would like good quality, I bought my 25 footers at Guitar Center and would like something better than their stuff.  I have looked around, but have no idea what is good quality, and need recommendations.  BTW, I want to buy them not make them, cause I don't think I can do the quality job i'm looking for.

Thanks
Title: Re: Looking for quality XLR cable
Post by: willndmb on October 10, 2007, 12:02:40 PM
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,92171.0.html
i have not used his cables but i know lots of people are using silver cables now and he has some stuff for sale or might be able to make what you want exatly
Title: Re: Looking for quality XLR cable
Post by: goodcooker on October 14, 2007, 06:25:44 PM
I'll be happy to make some mic cables for you. PM me and let me know what you need.

Don't buy Guitar Center cables....they are junk. Upgrading to silver clads made a huge difference in the sound of my recordings (and my playback system too) for not much more money. You get what you pay for.

See that link in the previous post for prices and specs. I'd say 6 footers (weird length for taping) would run about 75$ a pair shipped and insured.

oscoastierob's cables go out tomorrow if you want to PM him and ask how they look.
Title: Re: Looking for quality XLR cable
Post by: Javier Cinakowski on October 14, 2007, 06:46:41 PM
I've got a set of 9' HiHo Silver XLR cables with custom shorty RA on each end that I could let go.  I think I paid $180 for them, but I would sell at a nice discount...
Title: Re: Looking for quality XLR cable
Post by: bgalizio on October 14, 2007, 06:54:25 PM
I'm selling some silver cables here:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,92455.msg1231192.html
Title: Re: Looking for quality XLR cable
Post by: goodcooker on October 14, 2007, 07:05:05 PM
I've got a set of 9' HiHo Silver XLR cables with custom shorty RA on each end that I could let go.  I think I paid $180 for them, but I would sell at a nice discount...

I'd love to sell you a pair but.....I'd get these stubbies if I were you.
I don't know how many xlr connectors I've ruined trying to get the epoxy right.

and Fred W III did provide us with the '07 sarcasm of the year "shittin in the gear bag" quote.
Title: Re: Looking for quality XLR cable
Post by: china_rider on October 15, 2007, 04:16:55 AM
You may also want to PM bdesliva.  He makes HQ silver cables at a very resonable price.  I have a set of 15' and 20' that I am very happy with.
Title: Re: Looking for quality XLR cable
Post by: oscoastierob on October 16, 2007, 09:26:52 PM
I'll be happy to make some mic cables for you. PM me and let me know what you need.

Don't buy Guitar Center cables....they are junk. Upgrading to silver clads made a huge difference in the sound of my recordings (and my playback system too) for not much more money. You get what you pay for.

See that link in the previous post for prices and specs. I'd say 6 footers (weird length for taping) would run about 75$ a pair shipped and insured.

oscoastierob's cables go out tomorrow if you want to PM him and ask how they look.
.

Got my cables in the mail today. They're fantastic, thanks.
Title: Re: Looking for quality XLR cable
Post by: Evil Taper on October 18, 2007, 01:08:24 AM
FWIW Canare Starquad is good enough to please the ears of mastering engineers.  We have to do a blind shootout in the studio though and see if the silvers actually sound any better or if it's a placebo effect (like many other audio things).
Title: Re: Looking for quality XLR cable
Post by: illconditioned on October 18, 2007, 01:24:30 AM
FWIW Canare Starquad is good enough to please the ears of mastering engineers.  We have to do a blind shootout in the studio though and see if the silvers actually sound any better or if it's a placebo effect (like many other audio things).

I agree.  But, modulo the wire, you should get good connectors (Neutrix), and good build quality (eg., techflex the pair together).

Oh yeah, I discovered a really nice "siamese" cable (two cables joined together, looks like a thick lampcord).  Look for "MG-3106 - Mogami 3106 Dual Channel Audio Cable".  Gotta get more of this stuff...
Title: Re: Looking for quality XLR cable
Post by: Evil Taper on October 18, 2007, 07:02:07 PM
Mogami makes some quality stuff too.
Title: Re: Looking for quality XLR cable
Post by: BL on February 02, 2008, 03:40:21 AM
I'll be happy to make some mic cables for you. PM me and let me know what you need.

I tried to PM but I may be too new here to do it.   I need 2 x 15', XLRf right angle to XLRm.  Pay with PP.

Please email me:
brian@magicgardenmastering.com



thanks,
Title: Re: Looking for quality XLR cable
Post by: boojum on February 02, 2008, 05:11:49 PM
I think if you folks knew how quick and easy it is to make XLR interconnects you would be making them yourselves.  Get the Neutrik solderless connectors.  Twenty minutes, max, and you have set.  I use Canare and the solderless Neutriks.  If I can do it anyone can.  8)
Title: Re: Looking for quality XLR cable
Post by: eric.B on February 02, 2008, 05:21:37 PM
FWIW Canare Starquad is good enough to please the ears of mastering engineers.  We have to do a blind shootout in the studio though and see if the silvers actually sound any better or if it's a placebo effect (like many other audio things).

yeah just my opinion, but it's not that any silver/silver clad cable is going to sound "better" than a well made copper quad/two conductor cable.   It will sound different absolutely, but *better* is VERY subjective.    One might like the silver with the mics/other gear one is running, but switch the mics and one might like the copper better..      or vice versa.   Your playback method will also fine tune a decision on copper vs. silver/silverclad..

IMO.. using copper will never make/break the quality of a recording...   just matters what your "taste" is in sonic quality..
Title: Re: Looking for quality XLR cable
Post by: goodcooker on February 03, 2008, 12:08:13 AM
I think if you folks knew how quick and easy it is to make XLR interconnects you would be making them yourselves.  Get the Neutrik solderless connectors.  Twenty minutes, max, and you have set.  I use Canare and the solderless Neutriks.  If I can do it anyone can.  8)

These solderless Neutriks are intended for field repair/fabrication/quick fix for when a soldering iron is unavailable.
Do not take this advice unless you want an inferior cable.
Learn to solder or buy from someone who can.
I'm not trolling for an argument....i just wanted to point this out since it's in a thread called "quality XLR cable"

The band I work for keeps bunches of these for when we run short of xlrs for the lighting rig. We don't trust them for sound.

edit: I'm not condemning these solderless connectors. They will make a cable that passes music from one end to the other and are a cheap, easy solution.

Title: Re: Looking for quality XLR cable
Post by: boojum on February 03, 2008, 10:43:45 PM
These solderless connectors are made by the premier connector manufacturer: Neutrik.  A check of their catalog and their specs reveals that in no way do they intend them to be used for field fixes, but they can be.  In no place do the point out that any signal is degraded.  Unless you have testing proof of this, I would suggest that is just your opinion and is unsupported by fact.  I reiterate to you as I have in two PM's: our entire telecommunications uses solderless connections.  Analog connections must be first rate as deficiencies are cumulative.  If Bell Labs thinks solderless connections are superior to solder, I guess it is good enough for me.  As usual, YMMV   8)
Title: Re: Looking for quality XLR cable
Post by: ferenc_k on February 10, 2008, 06:34:24 AM
If you want something really good (neutral, smooth and dynamic) and reliable XLR cable, try the Evidence Audio Lyric HG XLR cable set. Works very well in my case the 5 feet and the 20 feet as well, I changed from a much more expensive cable to it in my setup and do not feel the need to look any other cable.
Title: Re: Looking for quality XLR cable
Post by: Busman Audio on February 13, 2008, 10:29:02 PM
I will put my hat in the ring for van den Hul "the mic" cable. I know some think it is a little expensive but you are getting a ultra high quality, sweet sounding cable that will outlast so many cables out there. The price is worth it IMO. 
Title: Re: Looking for quality XLR cable
Post by: animuselanvital on February 20, 2008, 05:05:12 AM
I have heard good things about the Monster studio pro 1000 xlr cable.  I even heard a self proclaimed audiophile boast on musicians friend that they were the absolute best cable out there. . . . that may be stretching it a little.  No experience with it though. . . I just know they are a bit costly as well.  Anyone have experience with these?  How do they compare with Mogami and Van den hul cables?
Title: Re: Looking for quality XLR cable
Post by: dennisrtyler on February 20, 2008, 09:13:49 AM
I have heard good things about the Monster studio pro 1000 xlr cable.  I even heard a self proclaimed audiophile boast on musicians friend that they were the absolute best cable out there. . . . that may be stretching it a little.  No experience with it though. . . I just know they are a bit costly as well.  Anyone have experience with these?  How do they compare with Mogami and Van den hul cables?
Doug Oade uses the monster sp1000 for short runs, fwiw.
Title: Re: Looking for quality XLR cable
Post by: Lex on April 29, 2008, 12:54:53 PM
These are what I build:

catcables.com Kingcats:  99.99% pure silver, all teflon construction, bare copper shielding.

http://www.fotogafer.com/photos/246715364_kR2cL-X2.jpg