Pre amp to Power amp cable

[Coolhandjjl]

I use rack separates, any issues in using a pre to power cable 6' long? It's the only 1/4" male to 1/4" male cable Radio Shack had in stock. (Don't worry, it's not an instrument cable.)

[Floyd Eye]

No. It will be fine.

I don't believe a balanced cable or a speaker cable is necessary either.

[beans-on-toast]

It should be an instrument cable.

The pre-amp out is a relatively low level signal and the cable needs to be shielded to avoid picking up noise.

Six feet is fine but the shorter the better, this also help reduce the possibility of picking up noise.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by beans-on-toast

It should be an instrument cable.

The pre-amp out is a relatively low level signal and the cable needs to be shielded to avoid picking up noise.

Six feet is fine but the shorter the better, this also help reduce the possibility of picking up noise.

^ this

[Coolhandjjl]

It is a shielded cable.

[bongomania]

So to be clear, what did you mean when you said "don't worry, it's not an instrument cable"?

[Coolhandjjl]

That it's not a spare guitar cable. But by design, aren't all 1/4" cables with molded ends shielded?

[Floyd Eye]

A spare guitar cable would have been fine.

+1 on the shorter the better.

[Coolhandjjl]

Yep- I can understand the shorter the better part. Just wanted to make sure the one I had wasn't in the Danger, Will Robinson category.

[bassgod0dmw]

Originally Posted by Coolhandjjl

That it's not a spare guitar cable. But by design, aren't all 1/4" cables with molded ends shielded?

No, not always.

But you can use a spare guitar cable, that's why everyone is asking what you meant by that.

[projectMalamute]

Originally Posted by Coolhandjjl

That it's not a spare guitar cable. But by design, aren't all 1/4" cables with molded ends shielded?

no.

[Floyd Eye]

Speaker cables are generally not shielded.

[RickenBoogie]

There are several types of cable that have 1/4" plugs on the ends. Instrument cable, (what you want to use here), speaker cable, and stereo TRS cable, which you do NOT want to use here.

[Coolhandjjl]

It's one I've had for a while. I went to Rad Shack to see what else they have, and I saw mine, it is labeled as an Audio Cable, on the back it lists that is a shielded cable.

For straight plugs, they have them 6' and longer. In 3' and 1' lengths, they are right angle ones. Bummer. Next time I get some stuff from Parts Express or similar, I'll have to order a couple short straight ones. Or to save on shipping altogether, I could see what my local GC (gasp) has.

[Floyd Eye]

Originally Posted by Coolhandjjl

It's one I've had for a while. I went to Rad Shack to see what else they have, and I saw mine, it is labeled as an Audio Cable, on the back it lists that is a shielded cable.

For straight plugs, they have them 6' and longer. In 3' and 1' lengths, they are right angle ones. Bummer. Next time I get some stuff from Parts Express or similar, I'll have to order a couple short straight ones. Or to save on shipping altogether, I could see what my local GC (gasp) has.

Musician's Friend has the best prices on short cables.

Shielded is all good and fine, just make sure it's not TRS. Google the images and look at your plugs. The difference is clearly visible.

[Coolhandjjl]

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

..... just make sure it's not TRS. Google the images and look at your plugs. The difference is clearly visible.

It's mono/instrument. Not a three conductor TRS.

[smogg]

Whats wrong with a TRS cable? Is that not just a stereo version of a mono instrument cable?

[projectMalamute]

He could very well want to be using TRS plugs. Every power amp I own has balanced inputs. Every preamp I own has balanced outputs.

[Floyd Eye]

Maybe, but you don't put a balanced cable in an unbalanced input/output or vice versa. If you are coming out of a balanced piece of equipment you go into a balanced input, otherwise, you don't.

SansAmp RBI is unbalanced. What preamps do you have that are balanced ?

[bassgod0dmw]

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

What preamps do you have that are balanced ?

Both my Ampeg SVP-CL and SVP-Pro are balanced outs.
My Crest power amp has balanced inputs.