Re-use RCA cables

[fearturtle03 10+ year member]

I currently have 3 sets of monster RCA cables for my car audio set up. My amps used to be in my trunk but have since moved them closer to the front. Also the RCA's are quite a few years old and the connectors look worn.

Would it be better to buy shorter new ones, or could I get good use out of my old ones if I shortened them myslef and placed new connectors on all the ends? Saving some money is always a plus which is why this second option seems the best. Would it give me better quality than I have now??

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[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

if there is nothing wrong with them, re-use them. but i wouldn't cut and shorten. just coil them up and zip-tie them.

 

[shaneb 10+ year member]

if there is nothing wrong with them, re-use them. but i wouldn't cut and shorten. just coil them up and zip-tie them.

x2 just coil em up.

 

[fearturtle03 10+ year member]

Why not cut and shorten them?

The RCA ends are all beat up so they need to be replaced. Is actually replacing the ends something that is common and will still sound fine? Or if t he ends are shot I should buy new cables? These are Monster and were pretty freakin expensive when I bought them.

A shorter cable would not provide less interference or a better signal through the wire?

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

it'd be cheaper/easier to just buy new cables if you want short ones. you don't have to spend $700 on RCAs. just get some decent $20 (or less even) and bam, you're done.

just trying to be practical. post pics of the ends. how did they get so fcked up?

 

[fearturtle03 10+ year member]

Who knows....They are like 8 years old I guess, just wear and tear of being run and moved between a couple different cars.

Is re-doing the RCA end myself something that will be as good as factory fresh if not close? I have 3 different pairs of cables, so it would be more than $20

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

you can do it. the factory doesn't do it any special way. just solder

 

[tez4life Premium Member]

Buy some new ones. You will be amazed at the difference it makes. I bought some on here to replace the ones I have had for 4-5 years. Well worth the $20 investment.

 

[iamamp3pimp 5,000+ posts]

I think that you should be fine redoing the ends

and if it doesnt work

then just buy a smaller set anyway.

 

[scoob8000 10+ year member]

Sell your old ones and buy some new ones. I've been eyeballing the Karma series from Knu, they look pretty decent without totally breaking the bank.

If you coil them up, keep the coil loose and watch where you put it. (keep it away from other electrical sources)

 

[LOW ET 10+ year member]

are there any disadvantages if you coil up a set of long rca's? noise or anything?