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Cardas Golden Reference - Reterminate?

I've got a long set of CGR cables (XLR) that I plan to slice into smaller, uneven chunks to fit my new system configuration (all single-ended). I'm very capable of re-terminating the cables, and believe that I would likely improve on the termination job that even factory-terminated cables provide (i've carefully studied their work). I have all the necessary connectors, solder, solder pot, iron, rosin, etc.

What I'm seeking is instructions for the main conductors. I'm aware of what to do with the shield & ground/drain wires. However, I'm not sure how to wire the 3 main conductors? That is, 2 for hot & one for ground - or vice-versa?

Help is very much appreciated!

Thanks!
ecamel
musicnoise
377 posts
 
Assuming your cable is terinated as a std xlr already - going to a non-balanced set up (again assuming that you are using RCA's on some ends of the cables) terminate the wires connected to pins 1 and 3 to the sleeve and pin 2 to the center conduductor. If this did not answer your question, provide additional detail.
ecamel OP
13 posts
 
Musicnoise, you're correct, the cables are already terminated with XLRs and I'm converting to RCAs. You've answered my question, although it's the opposite of what I expected. I would have thought that the center conductor would take two conductors instead of one?

Also, to be clear, I'm assuming that the shield conductors are soldered to the sleeve on one end and the two ground wires are connected to the other.

Thanks again!
ecamel OP
13 posts
 
Musicnoise,

I've found information on the web that discusses the wiring needed to *convert* XLR to RCA, which is identical to the instructions you describe above.

I'm wanting to understand, however, if the internal wiring of the CGR reflects this as well (1 conductor for hot, 2 for ground on RCAs).

I really appreciate your help!
musicnoise
377 posts
 
I have no idea how your cables are wired internally. You can take an ohmeter and find out. Typically, pin 1 is connected to the cable shield, pin 2 is connected to the non-inverted signal and pin 3 is connected to the inverted signal. Non-inverted and inverted are convenient terms. The benefit of a balanced connection is that the signal is not carried via the shield but rather differentially. I tend to think of balanced as analogous to differential and unbalanced as analogous to single ended. Because the signal is carried differentially the common mode noise signal is present on both signal condutors. As one is inverting and the other is not, the common mode signal (the unwanted signal) is canceled.
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