(page 5)

Grounding of the shield

There are 2 ways to connect the shield. You can either connect it to the metal of the RCA plug, or connect it to a proper ground terminal.
Fold the ground wire towards the RCA connector.
Cut it at about the location of the set-screws.
Strip the ground-wire and crimp the Faston male connector (with the 3mm hole) to the wire.
Remove one set-screw and fix the male Faston connector with a screw of the same diameter. You may need to modify the length of the screw for a proper connection.
If you choose to connect the shield to a ground terminal, make a cable with a female Faston connector at one end and attach this to the ground-wire of the interlink. Attach the other end to the ground terminal.

Getting airborne

Connect the Air-force one between your audio components. Switch on and ...... be disappointed! At least I was. So much for a good idea. There was more detail, there was more bass power, but there was no musicality! Switched back to the previous cables and found out it was indeed so. I was tended to throw my project out of the window, but then the phrase "burn-in" went through my head.
I must say that I was rather skeptical about this often-discussed phenomenon. I am less skeptical now. Still I am not quite sure if the change is in the cable or in my head! Psychoacoustics is a strange thing. Since my interest in serious hi-fi I also noticed more detail in music on old tape-cassettes in my Walkman. Not that there is more detail then before of course, but you get "trained" in hearing (or at least noticing) things, even when listening not really consciously.
So was the improvement after a few days "burn-in" real or only wishful thinking? And are a few days enough for a burn-in period? No it is not! The perception of the quality of the music was getting better with each week. This either means I am getting used to the new sound, or it indeed sounds better. Or is it the "invented by me" syndrome that strengthens this belief?
Another fact is that I found no DIY cable project on the internet, of which the builder afterwards concluded that it was rubbish. Whether one or the other is true, I am perfectly happy with my "Air-force one"!

Getting response

Any response regarding this article please send to:

ghcdas@hetnet.nl

AudioTweaks:

Thank you very much Guus for this very interesting and detailed project.
If you would like to comment on Mr. Guus Das design or possibly suggest improvements to it, please click here.

AIR-FORCE ONE DIY interconnect cable by Guus Das

AIR-FORCE ONE
DIY interconnect cable by Guus Das