Cable Build for testing - cable and end connector recommendations.

[FPALB]

Ive been loving having my dScope M1 on the bench and I want to respect it with a nice new set of custom built cables for all my test scenarios. Also, I want to get away from adapters, which often just seem to get loose and unreliable after a year or so.

Use Cases:

Repair and testing - Preamps for microphones and listening (Phono, CD, tapes), Instrument amplifiers, power amplifiers, rack fx for audio production.


The M1 is 2 in 2 out XLR analog (it also has AES but i rarely get anything needing that fixed so ill just grab something off the shelf)

On the DUT end id like to cover the gammit - Phono, XLR line (M/F), 1/4 inch balanced line, 1/4 inch unbalanced (instrument inputs), speaker out (banana usually).

For Unbalanced inputs, The M1 user manual says to short pins 1 & 3.
For Unbalanced outputs, the M1 user manual has an internal relay that handles the short.

They say only ground the analog outputs (generator side) and not the inputs to break any loops that may cause issues.

Can folks recommend some cable and end connectors?

Ill only need 6 ft maximum.

Thank you!

 

[pucho812]

Neutrik is always a good choice.

Canare is also always a good choice.

 

[sodderboy]

The old way was to wire everything out to dual bananas and a single third shield banana. Then you can make anything to anything plugging them together. A heavy mess if not organized.
My personal choice for tech cables and studio turnarounds is Canare L4E5-C with Neutrik ends. Braided shield beats lapped every day for me. You can still get that smaller Canare in red for L-R pairs or with the Neutrik you have the color coded boots for all sorts of possibilities.
Then list every cable you think you need and start combining to reduce the number of cables. Creative adapting is smart. Why make everything to both sexes of xlr if you make them all to FX and have 4 M-M adapters. Or why have RCA cables when you can have a couple of adapters for the occasional times they are needed.
If I need to make special loaded cables, shield lift, etc. then a colored shrink label, green for 50Ω as an example, is a way to ID the specials.
You didn't mention BNC. For those, I prefer high quality pre-molded video cables, some color coded like Canare. I buy double-length and cut them in half to make the ends I need.

Mike

 

[john12ax7]

I find Mogami 2549 easier / faster to work with due to the spiral shield.

But if you will be testing digital as well you might consider just using controlled impedance digital cable for everything.