I might add that HART AUDIO does cables wired correctly for the RAD-0, even ones that will use their modular system. They have a good range custom cables and jackets and are not microphonic. They make no special claims about their cables, but are a good value for the price. Now they also have silver/silver plate options and various braids.
I just like the modular system, and liked the ability to pick ones that go with the color scheme.
Do their headphone-end connectors actually mate properly with the cable entries in the cups? Or are they narrower and only supported by the plug itself?
Thatās the biggest issued I see with 3rd party cables for the RAD-0.
They are slightly narrower, but Iāve not had any issues at all. Hadnāt even noticed until you pointed this out. The quality of their connectors is very good, so thereās been no noise, and I have never had anything fall out with a gentle tug. If that were a problem, Iād probably put a thin coat of flexible UV resin around the top 16th inch or so of the plug.
Rosson went to great pains, it appears, to make it difficult for 3rd party cable makers to be perfect.
Itās less about things falling out, and more about them wiggling around and weakening the connectors over time.
Most of the connectors Iāve found that will insert properly arenāt thick enough in the shell, and theyāre long enough they would periodically rub on my shoulders, which wasnāt doing them any good.
I wound up layering transparent heatshrink on the barrels to make them fit properly.
A 3D printer and rubbery TPU plastic have solved many sleeving issues for me. Dead easy CAD project and prints in minutes.
Edit: For example, I bought a mini hand crank wheel from McMaster-Carr to replace my Bottlehead Crackās volume knob. After cutting off the bottom shaft extender, the slip-fit hole was way too big, so I made a custom sleeve for the .25" pot shaft. It was about $24 for the wheel. Itās unique if nothing else.
A question for @taronlissimore, @Resolve, or anyone else who might have knowledge of this:
What has become of Alex Rosson and Rosson Audio Design?
I ask not out of only idle curiosityā¦ I and quite a few others have ordered replacement pads on the Rosson site, which have gone unfulfilled with zero communication back from Rosson when inquiring what was up with the order. All recent instances of this have required initiating a chargeback to recover fundsā¦
The site is still up, but has virtually no inventory available, and afaik no development or announcements to the public. Alex doesnāt owe us an explanation, but if heās out of business the webstore should at least get shut down if he is unable or unwilling to fill an order.
For anyone needing replacement pads the Dekoni LCD-5 pads fit the Rosson, and their hybrid one is the closest in terms of like for like construction.
Itās unfortunate for everyone if Rosson is defunct, hopefully weāll hear from Alex in the futureā¦
Hey unfortunately I wouldnāt be able to say as I have not spoken to Alex in a while.
Iām not sure how long the delays have been but I imagine Alex is currently dealing with the fires in California at the moment and I hope that him and his family along with everyone else affected is safe.
