[Lupin..the..3rd]

Does anyone have a source for a high-end RCA-to-1/8" audio Y cable? All I can find is cheapo radio shack grade stuff.

Just picked up a nice set of studio monitors to use with my PC, and they use XLR and RCA for the inputs. My computer uses a 1/8" miniplug for output. I guess there's no such thing as a 1/8" to XLR adapter?

[Andy Clements]

http://www.monstercable.com/home_av/...s/1_8_inch.asp

[Lupin..the..3rd]

Hopefully there are some other options out there. If "monster cable" is the best there is for this item, I'll be disappointed.

I was hoping for something from AudioQuest, Kimber, Acoustic Zen, NeoTech, etc. I've found a few high-end "iPod" cables that have the connectors I need, except that the two RCA plugs are bundled together until the very end.

I need a cable where the two RCA plugs are two separate cables that are only joined at the 1/8" connector (not joined for the whole cable length) since I need one run to each speaker.

[savowood]

I typically build this sort of thing when I need it. I have a few XLR-M to mini that I built back when I was touring and occasionally doing studio work. One's broken, and the other I still use fairly regularly.

I'd recommend getting a soldering iron and making your own. Don't waste your money on Monster or any of those. They don't make any difference except possibly a lighter and airier feel to your wallet.

Just remember, on an XLR, pin 2 is hot according to the AES/EBU standard.

I'm often surprised at what people will pay for high-end cables, only to find the signal is being driven by a ten cent op amp. It's sort of like putting Fiske wheels with RA-1s on an AMC Pacer.

[rupped]

I have been using Kimber for this sort of thing. Check out:

http://www.kimber.com/Products/Inter...Mini/GQHB.aspx

Good Luck

[boardman]

george dont spend money on so called high end cables they make zero difference the contact points in an 1/8 inch jack are the size of 3 pin points so a radio shack cable will work just fine

[SkipC]

Look on the back of the computer. Most have RCA out and in jacks. Good Luck !!

[savowood]

Originally Posted by SkipC

Look on the back of the computer. Most have RCA out and in jacks. Good Luck !!

Even still, the jacks aren't the problem. Unless you're using a professional sound card, the op amp on the card is usually of the dime-a-dozen variety and the quality of the signal coming out of it doesn't warrant the price of the cable you plug in.

In this case, Radio Shack is your friend. The cable you get even there is likely better than the op amp.

[Lupin..the..3rd]

Originally Posted by savowood

In this case, Radio Shack is your friend. The cable you get even there is likely better than the op amp.

FWIW, my setup consists of an M-Audio Delta 66 sound card and ADAM Audio A7 studio monitors.

You're suggesting a radio shack interconnect would be best here?

[savowood]

Originally Posted by Lupin..the..3rd

FWIW, my setup consists of an M-Audio Delta 66 sound card and ADAM Audio A7 studio monitors.

You're suggesting a radio shack interconnect would be best here?

If you're looking at the mini-plug, then yes. If you were running AES/EBU into an Apogee DA to a pair of Meyer HD-1 monitors, then I might have a different opinion. Back in the day when I was sitting in front of a console, the HD-1 was my monitor of choice. My secondary choices were the Genelec 1031 and the Tannoy 8 NFM.

I'm going to make an enemy here, but...

First, I'm not a fan of the ribbon tweeter. Second, I think the monitor is a bit underpowered. IIRC, it's only 50W per driver. I don't feel like the accuracy is there. It seems a bit off to me. Things may have changed since I last heard that monitor, but most studio monitor companies do all their changing in the early beta phase rather than after it goes to production.

However, I do really like the S7 behemoth. It's not so great as a near-field monitor, but for the producer pleasers, they're quite good.

Back to the discussion at hand. If you have an XLR output on the card, then use it to connect to your monitors. A plain old Hosa XLR will work fine. Otherwise, RCA connectors will not be any better than the mini. Don't get an 18 awg cable...at least get a thicker one with a lot of strands, but don't spend the money on Monster or anything like that.