Tri-Braid Geometry Question

[Yoder]

Now that I have finished my Crack w/SB, I am constructing some interconnects. I made a pair using the VenHaus solid silver interconnect design, but am looking at making another pair for my next Crack that will be used in a different room. Here is the original patent on the tri-braid design: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5831210.pdf

For Kimber Cable the tri-braid geometry is a major selling point: http://www.kimber.com/products/interconnects/analog/ I notice that they use WBT or ETI jacks, and am assuming that there is nothing unique with the jacks they use. After reading the patent above is says that the non-signal third wire is grounded, and here is my question:

When constructing interconnects using the tri-braid geometry, where is this third wire grounded or is it just a sham and there is no ground per se?

[corndog71]

As a longtime fan of Kimber kables, I've tried various braids over the years and good results can be had from any of them.  My current way of constructing a 3 wire interconnect is using 2 wires for signal and one for ground (connected at both ends). 

I like homegrownaudio.com wire for this purpose as well.  I recently made a bunch of 3' interconnects with their 22awg cotton-insulated copper wire for under $100.  I got the RCAs from Parts Express for around a buck each.

[Yoder]

Pardon my ignorance, but where do you connect the ground at? The other two wires are for the signal path and I am assuming, maybe incorrectly, that you cannot use the signal ground.

[Grainger49]

If I read Rob's post right he uses two wires for the hot and one for the ground/return.  It gives a lower impedance path for the signal hot.  The R/L ground/return wires are connected in both the source and destination so it ends up being 2 right hots, 2 left hots 2 grounds (one on each cable).

Is that right?

[corndog71]

Pardon my ignorance, but where do you connect the ground at? The other two wires are for the signal path and I am assuming, maybe incorrectly, that you cannot use the signal ground.

Sorry if I was unclear.

I meant 2 wires go to the RCA pin
and 1 wire goes to the RCA sleeve.

These are unshielded cables so none of the wires should be left floating.

[Grainger49]

It was my impression of the Kimber description of their cable that they had three wires, one hot, one return and one that was soldered to the outer connector on the source end and not on the destination end.  A semi shield.  But I'm not sure.  I should try a resistance check on the PBJs I have.

[corndog71]

With the PBJ's the signal was 1 wire and ground was 2 wires.  KCAG was the same.

With their current lower cost cables like the Timbre they use 2 wires for signal and 1 for shield.

Hero is a 4 wire braid with 2 for for signal and 2 for ground.

None of these had floating wires as far as I know.

[coca]

The Kimber PBJ's are an excellent set of IC cables. There was a time when I had experimented with making close to 100 variations of the tripple braded IC's, all using the same brand of RCA connectors. and using different formations of cat 5 wire stripped out of its harnes. It nearly drove me nuts. However, The way I connected them was to have one wire connected to the positive pin of the RCA,and the  other two, to ground. Grainger is correct in calling this geometry  having only a simishield. The tri braid has a cancelling effect on the cable. re noise issues. Some people prefere the twisted pair to the braided three.
Bytheway, I have done power cords in a similar fashion, but is somewhat more involved. Give it time to burn in, and report back.

Bernie.

[Grainger49]

With the PBJ's the signal was 1 wire and ground was 2 wires.  KCAG was the same.

 . . .

None of these had floating wires as far as I know.

I thought I had it right, I checked the PBJ and I was wrong.  Memory too often doesn't serve well. 

[Yoder]

With the PBJ's the signal was 1 wire and ground was 2 wires.  KCAG was the same.

With their current lower cost cables like the Timbre they use 2 wires for signal and 1 for shield.

Hero is a 4 wire braid with 2 for for signal and 2 for ground.

None of these had floating wires as far as I know.

Damn, you trying to confuse those of us with declining brain mass? No, I got it--2 ground and 1 signal.

[corndog71]

I would recommend 2-signal and 1 for ground.

[jrebman]

Like Bernie, I too have experimented with all kinds of triple brads and I'd recommend either a wisted pair, a star quad, or a 4 or 6 wire braid of finer wire.

HTH,

Jim

[Lee Hankins]

when I build interconnects I usually try to adhear to the "eichmann ratio", which is approximately a 2:1 ratio, ground to signal.

"The Ratio forces the return conductor to respond rapidly to signals being transmitted through the signal conductor, at the same time providing a balance of reactance between signal and return. This ensures that all frequencies and their harmonics are transmitted in a more perfect state. The result is cleaner signal transfer. Which translates to better sound quality."

article on building interconnects and the eichmann ratio:http://www.mejiatryti.com/SpeakerCable/interconnect.html

Lee Hankins