Truth about RCA signal cables

Here we discuss the circumstances of when it is appropriate to use a twisted pair RCA cable vs a Coaxial RCA cable.

[DGSF]

Thanks Mr. D'Amore for the quality information. Always good to hear it from a quality engineer rather than from someone who thinks they know what they are talking about. Love all the new product you are developing and can't wait to see more.

[chrisdemchalk]

Very helpful- I bought a new differential preamp and amp but kept coaxial cables and couldn't explain the noise that I created. Eventually went xlr but wish I saw this video prior. In the real end figured that it was caused by halogen sconces emitting noise to the room even on separate electrical drops.

[johnchase]

For all the folks hemmimg and hawing over balanced XLR and RCA not being able to carry a balanced signal... An RCA can carry a balanced signal, if it uses a twisted pair wire. The cable assembly will simply be unshielded. We often wire studio installs with telescoping shields, where the shield (pin 1) is disconnected at the input of each device. this drains static and RF back to the Chassis Ground in only one direction, terminating to a common ground bus. This avoids ground loops. The shield in a balanced audio system carries no signal... At least we hope not!

[LTVoyager]

Excellent presentation. Simple, but effective. You might consider a discussion on UTP vs. STP and if STP how to properly connect the shield.

[robertgremillion]

Tony, im a EE in the industrisl industry. I never really had a professional opportunity to work in the Ee field. On the other hand, I have always love the audio end as a hobby. Recently I have embarked into xar audio. I have watched your videos and it rekindled my love of it. I have applied it to my car design and I have excellect car tunes. Thank You. Keep up the instructional videos.

[djhlsmusic]

The only problem is that nobody lists what kind of RCA input or output they have on their headunit or amplifier.

[MuffinMammoth]

Very informative. I didn't even know there were two types of RCAs.

[georgeanastasopoulos]

A very good, informational video, and thorough lecture on the two main signal cables, DAmoreEngineering. Thumbs up. The 2 methodologies are explained well. Therefore, we are not going to make mistakes based on connectivity to amplifiers for our hi fi audio systems.

[MyBigJune]

Thank you very much. This was very helpful. Its funny how you mentioned that the Industries forgot about that technology cuz yeah this is the first time I've ever heard about it. Thanks again

[RobWhittlestone]

In my experience, it is extremely rare nowadays to use RCA-style for DI signals. Maybe that 's why this info is not common in the industry,
These days the industry convention dictates XLR cables for DI. The 3 pins of XLR are signal+, signal- and shield. For example, my CD player has both outputs. All the best, Rob

[thirstquencher]

Wow that's some AWESOME info man!! I know this is old but this is however NEVER mentioned anymore lol. I'm a noob and I am glad I found this for my first SQL build!! 👏🏼👏🏼👌👌💪💪🔥

[Technotranceism]

Great video on a subject that nobody seems to ever explain, and is actually important to know.

[als]

Thank you for explaining this, very helpful as I'm starting to make my own RCA connections.

[wal]

Audio school w/Tony D! Great vid, thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[chuckbangers]

Thanks. Spent all day trying to figure out why this Monster cable I just cut open had red/white wires instead of a single signal wire. Now I get it.

[DAmoreEngineering]

If the head unit has SE outputs and the amplifier has SE inputs = coax cable
If the head unit has SE outputs and the amplifier has Diff inputs = twisted pair
If the head unit has Diff outputs and the amplifier has Diff inputs = twister pair
If the head unit has Diff outputs and the amplifier has SE inputs = bad no matter what as you will shorting out half of the head unit's outputs. In this case you would need an amplifier with Diff inputs or a converter to convert the head unit's outputs to SE

[trevorb]

Wow.. I have never heard of this or even heard anyone talk about this.. People need to know this information..Thank you!

[raymondchan]

To be more understandable, differential input means balanced type cable, more often come in XLR form (Usually Starquad structure). Single ended not necessarily in coaxial, but more often in RCA type. Unbalanced RCA may consist 2 or more cores of wire in TRS cable.

[Technotranceism]

Testing both of my amplifiers, a 4 channel Pioneer and a mono Kicker, I got roughly 17k ohms on the Pioneer, and roughly 6-30m ohms on the Kicker. The Kicker amplifier specifies that it's a differential model, while the Pioneer doesn't mention anything about the type of input it uses. So I am going to assume that the Pioneer is a single ended based off of the lower resistance shown vs the known differential resistance shown on the Kicker. I hope I am correct in my assumption!

[congi]

Very clear and informative. Please make more this kind of videos!