XLR to RCA plugs or cable

4. make a custom cable.

On a StarQuad I wired it as:

XLR RCA
Pin1 - Cable shield (And ran the shield out before the RCAs and tied it to the phono stage chassis ground.
Pin2 - RCA Center
Pin3 - RCA barrel

It would be interested in to know how your option 3 is done, and whether the option 2 and option 1 differ. I am a fan of Neutrik…

I think you could be better off with option 3 if your cable length is ideally just over a standard size.

OK that assumes good solder equipment

and skills no?

OK that assumes good solder equipment
and skills no?

It is not very hard, but the custom cable (option 3) is easier.
A good iron, solder, some desolder wicking, flux, and a vice is maybe $100.

What lengths do they need to be?
And how much does the custom cable cost?
Do you have other cables that could benefit from custom lengths?

It is not hard, so it is whether you would ever use it again, which I do, but you may not.
No easy answer here.

I am not messing with you!  I can solder small stuff and have done many speaker wire terminations.I do model trains and the decoders inside them now with LED lighting and resistors takes a learning curve. I was just trying to point out that it is not for everyone, but manufacturers can do it!  I agree the less stuff the better and I especially dislike adapters.  I will run my ethernet straight through the wall vs using a cheap plate that installers love so much.   TAKE CARE!  KEN.

Both Cardas adapters are great. No sonic difference with the clear adapters. I have 2 sets in the system. RCA phono into XLR preamp and preamp out into RCA amp. I tried the cheap ones and they did alter the sound.