Component Cables

[nwgarratt]

Has anyone got any recommendation on what make/model of component cable to use?

It will be for a Sony NS585 and a Panasonic PTAE100 projector.

I like the look of this Ixos one and have the possibility to get it for around £35.

http://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/dynamic/eshop_products.set/ref/262/ixos-xhv804-1703-component-video-interconnect/display.html

[saguk]

Depends how much you want to spend. The QED Precision is meant to be good.

For value and quaility, I find Profigold to be excellent.

The What Hi-Fi rule is/was cables should be 10-15% (IIRC) of the cost of your equipment, for what it is worth!

[nwgarratt]

I have a budget of £30 max but was seriously considering that Ixos cable if it is really the best that Ixos does.

I have tried a Profigold component cable and wasn't that really impressed. The picture was ok but thought it could be better. It was also really heavy and made one of the component connectors to go loose on the socket.

[nwgarratt]

Has anyone got a opinion on Thor component cables? There scart cables seem to get reviews.

[fattyboombatty]

It was also really heavy and made one of the component connectors to go loose on the socket.

yeah, i get that to. when i push my tv back against the wall i have to reach around and push it back in cos' it creeped out. but aren't the ixos just as chunky, if singular cables?

oh and where can you get those cables for £35, if you don't mind me asking? :D

[nwgarratt]

yeah, i get that to. when i push my tv back against the wall i have to reach around and push it back in cos' it creeped out. but aren't the ixos just as chunky, if singular cables?

oh and where can you get those cables for £35, if you don't mind me asking? :D


The Ixos cables are chunky singular cables. It is the phono connector on the profigold cable combined with the weight thatmade the connectors come loose. I am using separate QED quinex cables and the connectors are nice and tight. However, They are now too short.

I can get it for £35 from my local HiFi shop. I am now more interested in the Thor cable as I can get the component cable for just £15. I would rather save £20 if there is going to be mimimal difference as money is a bit tight.

I am thinking about getting the Thor cable now (I am using standard cheap cable given away with equipment at the moment). I can always upgrade later on when I have more money.

[chachi]

I am thinking about getting the Thor cable now (I am using standard cheap cable given away with equipment at the moment). I can always upgrade later on when I have more money.

The Thor 1.5m is quite good actually, picked one up on the cheap on impulse as a backup and was impressed when testing it, am now thinking of hooking the video from our impending pioneer 575 up with that and use it

[splobber]

I'm currently in the process of testing a Belden 7710a cable against a Van Damme one (RCA>BNC).

My initial thoughts is that, although the Belden is a chunky muvva and as thick as a hosepipe, the Van Damme appears to give off less interference on a black background. :suspect:

The picture quality for both of them is much better than the QED cable I was using before though. I'll do a proper comparison over the next few days, although I am fast getting the impression that the Van Damme cable is marginally better.

Both are likely to be better than an Ixos lead though and are not that much more expensive then £35.

My only other advice is never to scrimp on interconnects as what's the point of spending £££ on equipment if you are going to use a £15 lead to power it. Ideally, you need to be spending in the region of 10% on cables of the retail price of your DVD player, amp, speakers and display panel.

I think I've spent in the region of £200 upgrading all the video and digital audio cables alone running my setup and the difference is marked.

[chachi]

I'm currently in the process of testing a Belden 7710a cable against a Van Damme one (RCA>BNC).

My initial thoughts is that, although the Belden is a chunky muvva and as thick as a hosepipe, the Van Damme appears to give off less interference on a black background. :suspect:

The picture quality for both of them is much better than the QED cable I was using before though. I'll do a proper comparison over the next few days, although I am fast getting the impression that the Van Damme cable is marginally better.

Both are likely to be better than an Ixos lead though and are not that much more expensive then £35.

My only other advice is never to scrimp on interconnects as what's the point of spending £££ on equipment if you are going to use a £15 lead to power it. Ideally, you need to be spending in the region of 10% on cables of the retail price of your DVD player, amp, speakers and display panel.

I think I've spent in the region of £200 upgrading all the video and digital audio cables alone running my setup and the difference is marked.

Agreed, have a 10m bnc-rca run of canare fitted Belden 7712A (decided to futureproof and go 12A instead of 10A) on order at the moment ... :eek:

For me the Belden Svideo cable I have (that Mark Grant did for me as a favour) surpassed the Ixos and Monster cables I tested it against, and TBH I'm expecting the same from the impending Belden 7712A against the Thor and two different Monster components (running from a JS RGB-Component to a Panny PWD6) but atm to my eyes the Thor I picked up matches up against either of the Monster cables I had and at a much lower price.

What video sources are you using for side-by-side testing ?

[Doll]

I use some Van Damme ones from VDC trading, they cost about £30ish for 3x2m cables.

[nwgarratt]

I have been looking at Beldon cable as well. I am looking at ordering from BlueJeansCable in the U.S. They can do a four foot component for £22 plus about £4 postage.

I have also decided if I got one, I would go for the separate 1694A cables rather have them enclosed in the plastic to make up the 17710A. The cable will be going up vertically so I don't want the weight hanging off thr projector.

I use some Van Damme ones from VDC trading, they cost about £30ish for 3x2m cables.

So is that £30 for all three cables? I notice that their website is being updated. That sounds a really good price. I wouldn't want more than 1.5m though.

[chachi]

In terms of cable weight, there isn't much difference between 7710A vs 3 separate 1694A's. IIRC belkin is around 10oz weight per linear foot but am sure someone will jump in and correct me :)

[nwgarratt]

In terms of cable weight, there isn't much difference between 7710A vs 3 separate 1694A's. IIRC belkin is around 10oz weight per linear foot but am sure someone will jump in and correct me :)

Wouldn't separate cables distribute the weight evenly over the three sockets better? It is also slightly cheaper.

I got interested in those van damme ones now as well.

[Doll]

So is that £30 for all three cables? I notice that their website is being updated. That sounds a really good price. I wouldn't want more than 1.5m though.

They custom make them to whatever length you want IIRC.

[nwgarratt]

I have just ordered a 4 foot Beldon component cable. I am looking forward to testing them out. It will be a upgrade from a QED Quinex cable which is now too short.

[nwgarratt]

I have been waiting three weeks now for the cable. I got a card from the PO for a customs charge (£7.78 for a £21 cable).

Anyway looking forward to testing the cable out.

[KAC]

I ordered a 3ft Beldon component cable for ~£27 with air mail delivery, it took 7 days to get to me and came customs free. Perhaps Mount doom took pity on me after sticking me with a £9.01 charge for the Ultimate Matrix collection the day before.

[nwgarratt]

I knew there was risk with customs but, what is more irritating is it took 2 weeks to get from customs to the Post Office. Then they slap on a £4 admin fee.

I have trying out several DVD's and I am very impressed with the cable. I am pleased I went for it.