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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
 
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.
glenn_garza
61 posts
 
You may already be aware of this, but in case you are not...The other thing to be careful of the the fact that you are dealing with Cardas ICs. There are many wires in there and each has an enamel coating, which is reportedly extremely difficult to get off for termination. So unless you unsolder the XLRs from the cable, and then use that same bit of the conductors (that were previously soldered to the XLR), you will likely have difficulty getting the job done correctly and quickly.
ecamel OP
13 posts
 
Technique is important in removing the coating on the litz wires - simply ensure that all conductor tips are covered with flux and dip into a solder pot. I'm very capable and successful at this (strictly a hobby!)

I'm still left with uncertainty about wiring - I have 3 main conductors and need to determine how many go to hot and how many to ground. I suppose it doesn't matter too much, limitations likely to the lowest common denominator (single conductor).
herman
2,285 posts
 
Once you are done the cables are essentially worthless i.e. they will have no resale value. I had Cardas do the same job for me a few years ago and what they charged was well worth it because I later sold them as factory terminated and more than made up for what I paid them to do it. I don't know what they charge now but it is worth considering.
steveaudio
331 posts
 
*Once you are done the cables are essentially worthless i.e. they will have no resale value* (Herman)

Cardas Golden Reference are very expensive cables (duh), so I pretty much agree with what Herman said above. It almost seems a shame to start slicing & cutting them. I also wonder if a DIY slicing & re-terminating of expensive cables (higher-end Cardas, Nordost, whatever) would yield the same sound quality as factory terminated?

I'd at least call Cardas before proceeding......

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