Check the cables !

[Jerome W]

Hello folks,

I would like to share with you what happened to me this morning.
I have 2 different amps in the main system : Nagra MSA and Shindo CCQs, both used with the Giscours preamp.
I switch XLR cables at the output only of the Giscours, and of course speaker cables when I listen to one or the other amps. The CCQs use specially made for me SE6 cables ( balanced at the preamp side, unbalanced for the amps) while I used a simple Mogami fully balanced cable with Neutrik connectors with the Nagra amp.

This morning I wanted to listen to some vinyl on the Nagra and all I got was twice the output on the right channel compared to the left, easily shown by the Nagra meter.
I tried both carts, ( I have 2 arms on the Verdier ) : same problem. I checked the level of the platter : perfectly flat.
My first idea was that a phono tube in the Giscours was not in good shape.
So I tried the CCQs : no problem. Perfect balance !
So I thought that the problem could come from the Nagra amp and then realized that the Nagra was showing the problem with its meter so it could not come from it. And moreover Nagra is probably one of the most reliable audio brand in the world.
So....I tried to connect an other XLR cable ( Oyaides) between the Giscours and the Nagra and....
Bingo !!!
The Mogami XLR cable was faulty. A soldering may have become loose or weak....


2 conclusions.
1/ Do not take any chance with standard industrial cables : they may be poorly soldered by unqualified people.
2/ Do not jump on changing tubes on your gear before checking everything possible and especially the cables !
3/ Do not think that XLR cables are bullet proof ! Some can be fragile like RCA cables !

 

[bzr]

Jérôme, not particularly bothered with xlr anymore....

 

[mep]

Hello folks,

I would like to share with you what happened to me this morning.
I have 2 different amps in the main system : Nagra MSA and Shindo CCQs, both used with the Giscours preamp.
I switch XLR cables at the output only of the Giscours, and of course speaker cables when I listen to one or the other amps. The CCQs use specially made for me SE6 cables ( balanced at the preamp side, unbalanced for the amps) while I used a simple Mogami fully balanced cable with Neutrik connectors with the Nagra amp.

This morning I wanted to listen to some vinyl on the Nagra and all I got was twice the output on the right channel compared to the left, easily shown by the Nagra meter.
I tried both carts, ( I have 2 arms on the Verdier ) : same problem. I checked the level of the platter : perfectly flat.
My first idea was that a phono tube in the Giscours was not in good shape.
So I tried the CCQs : no problem. Perfect balance !
So I thought that the problem could come from the Nagra amp and then realized that the Nagra was showing the problem with its meter so it could not come from it. And moreover Nagra is probably one of the most reliable audio brand in the world.
So....I tried to connect an other XLR cable ( Oyaides) between the Giscours and the Nagra and....
Bingo !!!
The Mogami XLR cable was faulty. A soldering may have become loose or weak....


2 conclusions.
1/ Do not take any chance with standard industrial cables : they may be poorly soldered by unqualified people.
2/ Do not jump on changing tubes on your gear before checking everything possible and especially the cables !
3/ Do not think that XLR cables are bullet proof ! Some can be fragile like RCA cables !

What do you consider makes people qualified to solder cables? And whatever that is, what makes you think that audio cables are produced to a higher standard than major companies like Mogami? How many people who are regularly certified to IPC J-STDs for soldering do you think there are working for high-end audio cable companies?