RCA vs 1/4" Cable posted by Scott

RCA vs 1/4" Cable

Posted on Mar 30, 2003 04:57 pm
Scott
Member Since: Mar 04, 2003

I've noticed many people using RCA cables (with RCA - 1/4" adapters on the ends) for all their patching. Is there some advantage to this? Is an RCA cable and 2 RCA - 1/4" adapters cheaper that a regular 1/4" cable? I've noticed cheap 1/4" cables seem to degrade over time. Do regular consumer RCAs hold up better and keep their quality?

Also...what is the difference between a Radio Shack RCA - 1/4" adapter and a Switchcraft or Neutrik one? Is the difference in quality noticable in adapters?

I hope I'm not being too selfish by asking all these questions, but one question always ends up leading to another. Thanks a bunch!

-Scott

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Noize2u
Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Mar 30, 2003 09:15 pm

First off Scott, dont feel selfish. Ask as many as you like. On the subject of connectors, the answer is easy. Dont use adapters unless you have to. Only use them if it is a necesaty. The reason being is for every connection you add to the cables, it is just another place for the signal to get degraded. If your jacks are all 1/4", then use cables for 1/4". If you have RCA on one piece of gear and 1/4" on the other, try to find RCA to 1/4" cables. Hosa is a fairly cheap brand and are reliable cables. They make a cable for just about every application and conversion you can think of. As do most good cabel makers. And if you must use and adapter, yes the Radio Shack ones will do, but if you dont have to scrimp and save the money, buy better adapters from a quality maker like SwitchCraft or Nuetrik. They are much better grade materials.

Hope this answers your questions.