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  1. #1
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    DIY vs Name Brand

    I'm working on enhancing the SQ of my system and one of the things I'm planning to upgrade is cables (particularly speaker and power cables). I'm toying with the idea of building my own cables using high quality bulk cables from Furutech and/or Neotech. DIY seems like it would offer great bang for the buck, with the downside of no return option if it doesn't work. From those of you that have invested in your own home-made cables, what are your thoughts? Any regrets?

    My system consists of a Bryston BDP-2 --> (AES-EBU) Schiit Yggdrasil DAC --> Schiit Freya --> Nord NC500 Mk II MB --> GoldenEar Triton 2+. Currently, everything is plugged into a single 20A circuit with a simple surge-protector/filter on the low-level components, using stock power cords.

    I am installing two new 20A circuits with Furutech GTX-D outlets which I'm going to use for the power-amps and speakers. The Nords are actually on their way - should be here by Friday (fingers crossed).

    I'm using balanced interconnects made by Cello (Mark Levinson's 2nd company) which I'm pretty fond of. I'm currently using Audioquest Mammoth speaker cables.

    I have a Monster HTPS7000 that I plan to use on the low level components. I'm thinking of starting with new power cables for the amps and speakers, and new speaker cables. With my component layout, I can get away with relatively short cables (about 3 ft for the power and speaker cables).

    Thanks,
    Jay
    Main: SGC SonicTransporter i9 Optical, Sonore Signature Rendu SE, Denafrips Gaia, Denafrips Terminator Plus, DIY Preamp, DIY 300B PSET Monoblocks, DIY GR Research Line Force with dual 4-stack servo subs, PS Audio Power Plant 12, AQ Diamond USB, Tubulus Argentus i2s, Iconoclast 4x4 UPOCC XLR, DH Labs Red Wave and Power Plus PCs, Kimber Select KS-3035 speaker cable

    2nd: Auralic Vega G2, DIY Purifi amp, GR-Research NX-Studio speakers.

    HT: Marantz AV8802a, Sunfire Theater Grand, Revel Performa F50/C50, Epson 5050, Stewart 92" Firehawk G4

    Extra: Schiit Yggdrasil A2, DIY FirstWatt F5 Turbo monoblocks, DIY Neurochrome Mod-286 monoblocks, DIY Purifi monoblocks, DIY Preamp. Revel F30, Totem Mani-2.

  2. #2
    Senior Member
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    Feb 2016
    Location
    west Michigan
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    713

    Re: DIY vs Name Brand

    I have built many cables. Interconnects both balanced and single ended, speaker cables and power cables. Probably at least 20 variations. OFC, Mundorf, Neotech, Western Electric, Belden plus many other wire types.
    Bang for the buck?, yes. Some were pretty good.
    But in the end I couldn't get any of them to perform at the level of some of the commercial offerings.
    While my homebrews did many things well they just didn't have the finesse and sophistication of those on the market.
    Furthermore, cables are very system dependent.
    If you just want "pretty good" then go for it. But if you are looking for something beyond that check out the commercial offerings.
    They spend a lot of time and money on developing their products and some are really quite special.
    This is my opinion from my personal experience. I'm sure you will find different opinions.
    Have fun with it.
    My System
    Acoustic Revive RTP-4
    Innuos Pulsar
    Lampizator BALTIC4
    Cary SLP-05
    Pass XA30.5 or
    Line Magnetic 845ia
    Reference 3A Reflector's
    Pr SVS SB3000 Subs
    Cables & Tubes "subject to change without notification".
    Complete system on battery power/solar
    Core Audio Design Rack
    DIY bass traps and custom curved diffusors.

  3. #3
    Senior Member
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    Sep 2017
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    Seattle
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    1,964

    Re: DIY vs Name Brand

    I never went down the road of making cables, and as many call this a hobby you would think more would do so along with building amps and speakers.

    The manufacturers all have laid out methods on what they do, you can always emulate the practice and take several ideas and methods to make something more unique - some form of this is how many things are done anyway.

    Understanding the material choices; solid core, stranded, silver coated, mono filaments...etc along with sourcing well made connectors and keeping various cables working as a loom makes me think why one could not build equal quality of product in comparison to some of the bigger names out there - and perhaps some do.

    IMO the difference is some turn this into a business that attracts buyers resulting in revenue streams to grow a business, versus keeping this to yourself is just that.

    It’s trial for sure, but at much less of an expense coupled with the enjoyment of initiating the efforts and results of ones own work. IMO, cables are probably the entry level position of assembly versus putting together an amp or speakers.

    Now that’s my voice of reason perched on my left shoulder, while on my right shoulder is, well, the audiophile junkie who has purchased a lot of money in cables but they do make the sound come together in a toe tapping addictive way and simply turns up the volume to slip past thinking of it all.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    Source Analog: Kuzma Stabi R w/4point 11 arm | Kuzma 50 Cartridge
    Source Digital: Aurender N10 | Brinkmann Nyquist MK II
    Amplification: Dan D’Agostino Momentum HD and M400’s | Boulder 508
    Speakers: Wilson Alexias
    Cabling: Nordost Leif, Norse, V2 and Odin
    Power and Isolation: Audio-Ultra Home & Room Power Foundation Performance Package with StromTank S1000 | HRS









  4. #4
    Senior Member
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    May 2017
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    Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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    530

    Re: DIY vs Name Brand

    For DIY interconnect cables, stick with the major bulk cable manufactures.
    With brands like Belden, Canare and Mogami.
    Stay away from cables that make special audiophile claims.

  5. #5
    Senior Member
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    Apr 2013
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    New York, New York
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    Re: DIY vs Name Brand

    Great post. I have a full loom of Furutech cables. All the new Mitsubishi- Furutech DPS-4.1Alpha OCC-DUCC 11 gauge collaboration . I would put them up against any cables and at a fraction of the cost of "commercial" insanely marked up names. The power cords are spectacular. I've owned many. I would be happy to have them made for anyone that would like to try them. Therefore removing the DIY issue . Same Furutech NCF FI-50 NCF ( best available from any manufacturer ) IEC's on power cords I've seen these on power cables from $5,000-$15,000 (!).. As an example, a 1.5 meter power cord with FI-50 NCF IECs would be $1550. The retail of the parts plus a $100 termination fee. All work is done by a highly experienced cable terminator. PM me for details....
    T+A MP3100HV, T+A PA3100HV. Custom made Furutech cables with ETP-609 distributor with NCF outlets, Harbeth 40.2 Anniversaries.

  6. #6
    Senior Member
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    Nov 2013
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    Re: DIY vs Name Brand

    Quote Originally Posted by Speedskater View Post
    For DIY interconnect cables, stick with the major bulk cable manufactures.
    With brands like Belden, Canare and Mogami.
    Stay away from cables that make special audiophile claims.
    sage advice ...........
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  7. #7
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Oregon
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    77

    Re: DIY vs Name Brand

    Thanks for the comments. I don't have a huge budget, so the main reason I'm looking at DIY is to save some cash while getting some nice cables. Over the years, I have proven to myself that decent quality cables can make a noticeable and sometimes significant improvement in the overall sound. My current system is fairly modest, at least compared to systems I've owned in the past and many of the systems members on this forum own. Still, I think it's worth investing $2K to $3K on nice cables to get the most out of the components I have.

    I've used Furutech connectors in the past and been very impressed with them. Based on my experience with the connectors and reviews I've read on their cable, I'm leaning pretty strongly toward trying to build up a set of power and speaker cables using their mid-range products.

    A 1-meter power cable using their FP-S55N cable and FI-28 Rhodium connectors will run me about $360. This seems like a lot of cable for the dollar and I can't think of any after-market cables in this price range that are likely to sound better.

    I'll probably splurge a bit more on the speaker cables and build a set with Furutech DSS-4.1 cable and FT-211G spades. With the Furutech splitters, a 1-meter pair will run me about $1300. But I think I'll try the power cables (at least 4 cables for my mono amps and speakers) before going further. If there's a noticeable improvement with these, I'll consider taking the next step.
    Main: SGC SonicTransporter i9 Optical, Sonore Signature Rendu SE, Denafrips Gaia, Denafrips Terminator Plus, DIY Preamp, DIY 300B PSET Monoblocks, DIY GR Research Line Force with dual 4-stack servo subs, PS Audio Power Plant 12, AQ Diamond USB, Tubulus Argentus i2s, Iconoclast 4x4 UPOCC XLR, DH Labs Red Wave and Power Plus PCs, Kimber Select KS-3035 speaker cable

    2nd: Auralic Vega G2, DIY Purifi amp, GR-Research NX-Studio speakers.

    HT: Marantz AV8802a, Sunfire Theater Grand, Revel Performa F50/C50, Epson 5050, Stewart 92" Firehawk G4

    Extra: Schiit Yggdrasil A2, DIY FirstWatt F5 Turbo monoblocks, DIY Neurochrome Mod-286 monoblocks, DIY Purifi monoblocks, DIY Preamp. Revel F30, Totem Mani-2.

  8. #8
    Senior Member
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    New York, New York
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    Re: DIY vs Name Brand

    Do yourself a favor, spring for the FI-50 NCF connectors, used on power cables from $3400-$15,000. I can have any Furutech cables professionally terminated for the cost of the components plus $100... I have the speaker cables you are considering , but with upgraded spades. I LOVE them.
    T+A MP3100HV, T+A PA3100HV. Custom made Furutech cables with ETP-609 distributor with NCF outlets, Harbeth 40.2 Anniversaries.

  9. #9
    Senior Member
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    Oct 2014
    Location
    Oregon
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    233

    Re: DIY vs Name Brand

    DIY is fun and rewarding. There are a number of decent recipes out there if a person will spend some time searching and reading. There are also numerous varieties of wire, components, connectors and access to cryogenics.

  10. #10

    Re: DIY vs Name Brand

    Being one who never has believed that a power cable could impart a sound signature, I wanted to upgrade the look of my installation and I decided to do a DIY set of power cables using Furutech FP-S55N 10AWG cable paired with their associated middle-of-the-range FI-28 connector set. I can tell you that it made a believer out of me for the very first time! The cables lowered the noise floor and the amps seem less constrained when operating near the upper end of their power output capability.

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DIY vs Name Brand

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