I consider interconnects one of the most important cables in the audio system because the signal level they are transitioning has a low amplitude which makes it sensitive to noises. On the other side, devices on both ends of interconnects are usually sensitive to characteristics of the cables like capacitance and resistance.

Today I will show you how to make a pair of very high quality DIY interconnects using a 99.9998% OFC silver plated wire in a pseudobalanced(semibalanced) configuration. Pseudobalanced(semibalanced) interconnects usually employ a shielded cable consisting of 2 insulated wires and a shield which is connected only on the input end.

Cable: Audiophonics 11467 – 2m (6.5ft) (supplier)
– Cores: 2×0.5mm silver plated OFC
– Shield: silver plated OFC
– Insulation: PTFE
– Total diameter: 3mm
– Costs only 4.92EUR per m

Sleeve: Audiophonics 7835 – 3m (9.75ft) (supplier)
– Cable diameter: 1.5-5.5mm
– Costs only 0.83EUR per m

RCA Plugs: Rean NYS373 – 4pcs (official website / my supplier)

– Maximum Cable Diameter: 6.1mm
– Solid build, long lasting
– Gold plated contacts
– Easy to solder
– Costs only 2EUR each

Total cost: 20.33EUR

Input end (a.k.a source):
At the input end you should join the black insulated conductor with the shielding for a pseudobalanced configuration (only at the input end !). Like this:

And then solder it into the RCA plug:

Outpud end (a.k.a. destination):
At the output end you should leave the shield unconnected at all and make sure it can’t accidentally touch any of the metal parts of the RCA plug. Use only the black and white insulated conductors as shown:

And then solder the insulated conductors in the RCA (don’t forget to slide the rca outer shield to the cable before soldering the connector on the other end):

Make sure to mark permanently which side is input on both channels so you won’t make mistakes when connecting the cable.

Mine looked like this after I was done: