I absolutely hate working with 2.5mm connectors, even TRS.
Getting 20-22awg onto a 2.5mm TRRS is the ultimate test!
Hi all, can anyone let me know what is a decent cable to use for headphones please?
Do you know where i can source these kind of parts in UK/EU?
I don’t have a build to share… yet but I’m wondering if I could get some input on this planned build. I was going to start a new thread but seems I’m not able to
Want to build some DIY cables for my HD 6XX + Qudelix 5K and want to make sure I’ve selected the right parts.
I want to have interconnects using mini-XLR so I can switch from 2.5mm balanced to 3.5mm single when switching between devices (and in the future maybe full size XLR if I get a desktop amp). I’d like the cable to be fairly flexible not not cheap / weak.
- Sennheiser connectors
- Wire (Not sure on the thickness / flexibility)
- mini-XLR connectors (male + female)
- 2.5mm connector
- 3.5mm connector
Do these parts seem correct / reasonable for what I’m trying to achieve?
4-core pure silver solid core wire. I didn’t fully dress it in case I want to modify some things, but dang this things sounds excellent 
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28awg wire is very thin.
Aliexpress as plenty of 24awg variants. Aim for a “OD” (outer diameter) of around 1.3mm and you’ll have a nice thickness to the cable. Any thicker guage and you’ll very much struggle to solder it to the 2.5mm TRRS, those things are tiny.
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@JonL would you mind sharing a link of those silver cables?
4-conductor version
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803370817965.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.4.6cda18020tbkCG&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa
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I like the PS 2000’s also. I need that mod for my RS1e. But don’t want to do it myself. Did you buy the parts from Beautiful Audio?
Good evening, I’m new to the forum. For some time now I have been busy directly assembling the cables I need; I started with simple signal cables and then added other types such as power jumpers and balanced cables. I’d like to start making headphone cables right now. I have already created a PWR cable for Sennheiser headphones for a friend and I was satisfied with it. now I’m starting to study how to create a balanced cable with 4 pin xlr input and two 3.5 headphone jacks. I looked around and read but no one was able to dispel my doubts. I wanted to know if anyone can help me with this project of mine because maybe they have already assembled them. If you could advise me on the cable to use and what connections I should make. explain it, please, as if I were a 5 year old child so I can check if the way I think it should be done is okay. nothing, that’s all. I hope you can help me and while I await your response, I thank you. ps if it’s written incorrectly it’s because I used the translator.
Hello Torq. Are you still building this?
Gordon
Heyo.
I’m not sure, specifically, what you’re referring to when you say “this” (there’s no link to the post you’re responding to), so it’s hard to say.
If you’re referring to my modular cable system, I still build cores and adapters a) for myself (as needed) and b) for existing owners.
Now, if you’re really interested, DM/PM me and we can chat, but I’ve generally not taken on new customers in the last couple of years or so.
Hello Torq. Apologies for a confusing message. I’ve been looking into an upgrade for the stock cables that came with my Rad O, which I have now had for a couple of weeks. It’s so weird for me. I have an $80,000 system with my Susvaras, which is truly amazing. But I have also been listening to these Rad 0’s through my Mojo 2 dac/amp and thinking wow! How good is this. So tried to use my Forza Audioworks Noir cables that I use for my Susvaras. And another wow. But that 3.5 connection is not stable (as you know). I would like to get a high end cable that works with the Rad 0, terminated amp side with a 1/4 inch or possibly 3.5. That was the point of my message. Do you make such a thing or can you recommend someone to me? Thank you for your time
Warmly, Gordon
No worries.
I don’t make non-modular cables at all anymore, sorry.
The RAD-0 connector was a PITA to deal with, as the insertion depth is unusually deep, and the port in the shell is too narrow for most high-end connectors. So, you either don’t get full engagement OR your connection is not supported by the cup and is just hanging off the electrical connection (which works, I just don’t like it)
I can’t really recommend other cables/manufacturers as I don’t use them and thus have no experience (beyond shows/meets) with them.
Also, note:
Most 3.5mm TRS connections, including HiFiMan, are, on the headphone end, wired with the sleeve being - and the tip being + for both channels.
The RAD-0 are wired differently.
They use the sleeve as -, but then use the tip for + on the left channel and the ring for + on the right channel.
This means that for your third-party cables to work with the RAD-0 at all, and also work with the HiFiMan headphones, they must be wired as sleeve as - and BOTH tip and ring as +.
In most cases, being wired with tip AND ring as + is fine. But in some cases it’s a problem. If you plugged that cable into, say, a Sony MDR-Z1R you’d get no sound, and for some other headphones potentially damage your amplifier.
Thank you for your thoughtful response Torq. Is it possible to just cut off the existing connectors and rewire them to better cables? That was a rather odd design decision by the manufacturer.
Gordon
You can do that.
Though I’d contact Rosson and see if they would either give you the supplier (and part number) or sell you the appropriate parts before going down that path.
The problem with reusing connectors, especially TRS-type connectors (which includes TRRS and TRRRS) is that, depending on exactly how they are made, and how well they were built, you can wind up damaging the insulators, and causing internal shorts, very easily.
They’re intended to be soldered on once … not soldered, de-soldered and then re-soldered. And some are a royal pain to just solder on the first time.