RCA Cables?

[LT206]

I've noticed a wide variety in types and prices of RCA interconnects -
For my installation the RCA from the hu to the amps will be short, but the ones to the dash for the Pac LC1 will be 6 to 8 feet. Anyone have a suggestion on what I should use? Is it necessary to drop a lot of money on expensive RCA cables?

[Hollywood]

RE: RCA Cables?

I would match them with the quality of amps and speakers you're using. No sense going cheap on the wires with $$$ gear to sound like crap.

[Andrew]

RE: RCA Cables?

wire is wire, if its the same size and same material, go with the cheaper stuff...

[DanielC]

There are differences in "cheap" vs expensive RCA cables, and the problem is you really cannot tell, nor is the amount of money you spend any help in choosing. RCA cables do not really carry any power, so the thicker is better rule you can use with speaker cables does not apply. The properity you are looking for is low capacitance. Gold plated ends is also a plus, the gold does not tarnish. The car stereo gurus might be able to help you, but there is a lot of B.S. in this market

[Andrew]

good point on the gold, i forget that u have to worry about the elements on a boat, so yeah definetly get gold plated connectors

[LT206]

I ordered the Stinger Hyper series - definitely not the most expensive - we'll see how they work. I have a feeling it's all in how you route them away from the interference......

[Mikeski]

There is a difference with RCA wires. If you get a set of good twisted RCAs the twisting helps to reduce noise induced by other wires because it exposes both the positive and negative conductors to outside EMF at equal proportions so it cancels.

I get mine here: www.knukonceptz.com It's good stuff at reasonable prices, I prefer the Karma series, the 4 channel stuff helps to simplify the amp connections.

[LT206]

As it turns out the best way to route my RCA's to the controller under the dash is the same route that my main power wires are taking - up around the bow and back to the dash from the passenger side. There are also a bunch of existing wires making this route as well - should I worry about interference if my RCA's run along with all these other wires? How far away do they have to be from the power wires - will 2" apart on a parallel path be enough to avoid the interference?

[nautique95]

LT, when I ran my RCA from the stereo to the little cubbie hole beside the drivers leg to hook up an ipod I went down into the bilge area and back up, it is a lot shorter distance. If you look under the storage area to the right, right against the walk thru wall there is a small hole that goes down into the bilge area, under the cooler and then back up to another hole that is behind the driver's kick panel. When you look under there you will see where I am talking about. Let me know if you can't find it and I will try to explain better! Mine was on a 2005 206

[nautique95]

When I put my PP in, I brought the wires up through the hole in the pic and that is where I brought my RCA through too. I don't know if you would get interference with the other wires or not. I don't remember but there may be a small hole to the left by the walk thru wall just like on the other side, and that wouldn't have anything in it, I just can't remember if there is one on the driver's side too.

[LT206]

nautique95
I've checked out the hole under the observer seat you're talking about but it doesn't connect to the bilge area (I don't think)(mine is an 03) like the one on the drivers side does. Did you drill a hole in this area or did yours drop into the bilge?

I've got the exact same condition under the drivers side that is in your picture except I've moved over some of the wire and that space is full of sub now.

[nautique95]

LT, double check, mine went down in there, looking down at it, it doesn't look like it but mine did. Try taking a stiff piece of wire and push down in there and see if it goes. I remember that it looks dark when you look down in there but mine snaked through there. If it goes, use a mirror & light by the engine to look back in there under hte floor and you should be able to see it going under the cooler, then reach under through the battery compartment and you should be able to guide it. I don't know how the '03 is set up but I would have to think it is the same.

[LT206]

nautique95
I checked in the spot I believe you are talking about - see the small slot to the right of the metal ruler in the picture. That would be an ideal place to drop the wires into the bilge and come back up on the other side behind the kick panel, but it does not connect to the bilge. Is that the place you're talking about?

[nautique95]

LT, That is the place I was talking about. It does look different than what was on mine, mine had a 2"x3" cut out right where the top of your ruler is that went down into the bilge. I would think you could drill a hole there and make your own. I will see if I can get a pic from the new owner for you so you can see what that looks like.