AMB Laboratories DIY Audio

[linux-works]

I ordered some monoprice xlr-rca cables for the behringer dcx-2496. I have my 1U preamp sitting right on top of it and I needed 4 cables that were short and neat/clean to connect the boxes. monoprice had them and they usually are pretty good on price and quality. they even have overnight shipping for an insane low price.

got the cables today and pulled out my old ones and put these in. hmmm, one channel is missing. pull the cable, check it with a meter and it seems that both ground (3) and hot (2) were connected at the rca end, on just ONE of the cables! the xlr side was ok but the rca had black and white connected and, well, you don't DO that! some cutting of the sealing goop they use, cutting of the white and soldering it to the shield fixed things.

its a 3 to 2 wire connection so there is room for error (lol) but I found it strange that this was not a short but an intentional connection of 2 wires at the rca side. and only one 1 of the cables; that's what made it strange, to me.

I'm using an active crossover and two amps, so when 1 of the cables is 'out' only a tweeter or woofer 'somewhere' goes out. but I didn't know if it was my spkrs or amps or the cables. glad it was only a simple cable error.

lesson: don't assume they got the cables right. shorting hot to ground might not be good for all sources.

overall I still like monoprice but I'll be careful about just installing things right from the box, from now on.