Home Theater Forum - View Single Post - Help! I want the following cables, but can't spend more than $100

Chu Gai · 07-07-2003, 08:31 AM

1) There's precious little that's required of a sub cable as it's only responsible for carrying signals below say 120 Hz give or take. If you don't like the looks of yours there's a host of inexpensive approaches. Some go down to the Shack and just pick up a length of F-connector preterminated quad shielded coax (make sure it's copper...solid or stranded is irrelevent) and just slap on some RCA's. Might even find it cheaper at your supermarket. If you want to dress it up, you can always add some techflex or something.

2) Decently well made S-Video or component cables are available everywhere. Locally you can find them at Target, WalMart (Wall Martay for you audiophiles), the Shack, EB, Sears, etc. or you can buy an overengineered one at any place on the web. Might find the s/h is more than the cost of what you'd pay for it locally though.

3) Optical cable can vary a bit in construction with some connectors being a bit more problematic than others. It does though have the interesting benefit of being completely immune to external RFI and EMI. It is a bit more fragile than coax, but Lifatek (online manufacturer) sells an armor plated version that you can step on. That's what I call bragging rights! Choosing between the two is largely a matter of personal preference.

07-07-2003, 08:31 AM	#4 of 17
Chu Gai Join Date: Jun 2001 Local Time: 07:26 AM Local Date: 12-05-2008 Posts: 7,403	1) There's precious little that's required of a sub cable as it's only responsible for carrying signals below say 120 Hz give or take. If you don't like the looks of yours there's a host of inexpensive approaches. Some go down to the Shack and just pick up a length of F-connector preterminated quad shielded coax (make sure it's copper...solid or stranded is irrelevent) and just slap on some RCA's. Might even find it cheaper at your supermarket. If you want to dress it up, you can always add some techflex or something. 2) Decently well made S-Video or component cables are available everywhere. Locally you can find them at Target, WalMart (Wall Martay for you audiophiles), the Shack, EB, Sears, etc. or you can buy an overengineered one at any place on the web. Might find the s/h is more than the cost of what you'd pay for it locally though. 3) Optical cable can vary a bit in construction with some connectors being a bit more problematic than others. It does though have the interesting benefit of being completely immune to external RFI and EMI. It is a bit more fragile than coax, but Lifatek (online manufacturer) sells an armor plated version that you can step on. That's what I call bragging rights! Choosing between the two is largely a matter of personal preference.