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From: ross@raster.UUCP
Newsgroups: rec.audio,sci.electronics
Subject: Re: INTERCONNECTS
Message-ID: <196@raster.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 23-Apr-87 14:59:27 EST
Article-I.D.: raster.196
Posted: Thu Apr 23 14:59:27 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 25-Apr-87 06:37:08 EST
References: <18511@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU>
Reply-To: ross@raster.UUCP (Ross Werner)
Organization: Raster Technologies, Westford, MA
Lines: 35
Xref: utgpu rec.audio:1185 sci.electronics:532

In article <18511@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> bks@oz.berkeley.edu (Brian K. Shiratsuki) writes:

>anyway, i thought i could hear a difference between this interconnect,
>and the ``comes with the component'' (regular) kind of interconnect,
>but not really enough to be certain it wasn't psychosomatic.
...
>i would assume that standard measurements (resistance, impedance) between
>regular and fancier interconnects do not differ, else we wouldn't argue about
>these things.  does anyone have any evidence to the contrary?  has anyone
>performed any measurements to take into account the level and impedance of
>the source, which might be more meaningful measurements?
>
>				brian

I did some playing around with trying to measure differences between cables.
Using a function generator, a 'scope, and an HP gain-phase meter (shows
amplitude and phase differences between the two inputs), I connected the
function generator to one input of the HP, and the cable under test between
both inputs.  I also varied the terminating resistance, using 1k, 10k,
47k, and 100k resistors at the non-driven end of the cable.  I tried the
following cables:  El Cheapo from Radio Shack, Monster Cable Interlink 2,
Monster Cable Interlink 4, and "hardline" - essentially coax where the
shield is a solid pipe (not braid) and is used for interconnects at
gigahertz frequencies.  

The results?  NO MEASURABLE DIFFERENCES FROM DC TO 250K Hz.  The function
generator wouldn't go any higher - hey, it was cheap, and all I could
scrounge.

Now I have claimed to be able to hear a difference.  I couldn't measure
any difference, though it _was_ a quick and dirty test and I didn't
vary the output impedance of the source.  Anyone have any suggestions
for a more thorough test?

ross