Tutorial: How to make an X5 Line-Out/Line-In cable

Sirronikae · 08-22-2005, 17:23

Based on the work and requests from the individual cables thread, I put together this tutorial for those interested in making Line-In/Line-Out cables for the X5 that clip in securely without the need of the subpack.

Tools Needed:
- Gomadic Connector (www.gomadic.com, item #ICP-21-1700)
- Stereo RCA Cable (no thicker than the rubber grommet hole)
- Wire Cutter/Stripper
- Needlenose Pliers
- Soldering Iron
- Solder

1) The Gomadic connector comes in 8 parts. They are:
Bottom casing
Top casing (the one with the arrows)
2 Metal Clip Arms
2 Square Plastic Clip Arm Covers
Rubber Cable Grommet
22-pin Connector

2) It is best to assemble the connector housing first before you lose all of the little pieces. Start by slipping the plastic clip arm covers onto the metal clip arms as pictured below.

Insert the metal clip arms into the bottom casing as shown.
Note: There is a left and right clip arm (they are not identical).
When inserting them, make sure that the clips are facing downwards.

You have finished assembling the connector housing. Set it aside for now.

3) Cut your stereo RCA cable at desired length and slip the rubber grommet piece onto the end. This is not necessarily easy if your cable is too thick, so keep this in mind when selecting an RCA cable to use.

4) Split and strip your wires. You will end up with a left channel wire (white), a right channel wire (red), and bare ground wires. Twist the ground wired together as shown and only strip a few mm off of the ends of the left and right channel wires.

5) For a line-out cable, carefully remove all pins from the 22-pin connector except those shown below in red (pins 10, 13, and 14) with needlenose pliers or your wire cutter. (For a line-in cable, remove all pins except for 10, 15, and 16).

After removing the pins, your connector should look like this:

6) Solder the twisted ground wire to pin 10, the right channel to pin 13, and the left channel to pin 14.

7) Once your solder has set, insert the connector into the bottom housing by inserting the clip arms into the holes in the bottom of the connector. Make sure the connector is right-side up. (It will snap into place.) Next, insert the rubber grommet into the bottom housing.

8) Snap the top casing on, plug in, and enjoy!

Konechiwa · 08-22-2005, 18:36

those cables look like av cables.

idiotekniQues · 08-22-2005, 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Konechiwa

those cables look like av cables.

thats a line-out to rca stereo jacks.

Cowon-phile · 08-22-2005, 19:15

Sirronikae deserves a Nobel Prize or a Pulitzer...something.

Sirronikae · 08-22-2005, 19:59

This cable was originally a 5 ft stereo RCA to mini 1/8" stereo. I cut it in half and used the other end to make a Line-Out to 1/8" stereo cable.

Kaleco · 08-22-2005, 22:15

So I can cut a mini-jack extension cable to make a line-out to mini-jack?

Konechiwa · 08-22-2005, 23:09

cool. sirronikae, excellent job. BRAVO.

rhydewithdis · 08-23-2005, 03:47

Awesome job! What do you estimate is the total cost of parts?

TheChicken · 08-23-2005, 04:08

Great!
Thank you very much! (Maybe this could be made sticky?)

JrezIN · 08-23-2005, 08:19

Thank you very much! (What else to say? =] )

oiduai · 08-23-2005, 09:38

WOW!! Great Job!!

idiotekniQues · 08-23-2005, 09:45

u willin to sell cables Sirronikae?

Sirronikae · 08-23-2005, 12:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by idiotekniQues

u willin to sell cables Sirronikae?

Contact me via email. I do have lots of extra parts and have made a few cables for others. (mostly the mini-jack line-in for recording)

One thing I forgot to include in the tutorial:
After you are done and have tested your new cable, it is a good idea to open up the casing and put some adhesive (like Goop) on the inside of the grommet, just to keep everything secure.

koi · 08-23-2005, 13:54

very nice turtorial

rbienstock · 08-23-2005, 14:05

Sirronikae,

Is it possible to create a cable that will do USB sync and charge only?

08-22-2005, 18:36	#2
Konechiwa used to be #1 poster Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Western Washington State, USA Posts: 1,607	those cables look like av cables. __________________

08-22-2005, 19:15	#4
Cowon-phile Collective Unconscious Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 246	Sirronikae deserves a Nobel Prize or a Pulitzer...something. __________________ • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Spark becomes a flame. Flame becomes a fire. Forge a blade to slay the stranger. Take whatever we desire. Move by will alone. Pure as we begin. Tool - 10,000 Days - Intension The Official Site \| The Tool Page \| Distortion Online • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

08-22-2005, 22:15	#6
Kaleco Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: US Posts: 79	So I can cut a mini-jack extension cable to make a line-out to mini-jack? __________________ iAudio X5L 30gb + Sennheiser HD 201 + Sennheiser MX 400

08-22-2005, 23:09	#7
Konechiwa used to be #1 poster Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Western Washington State, USA Posts: 1,607	cool. sirronikae, excellent job. BRAVO. __________________

08-23-2005, 09:45	#12
idiotekniQues Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 688	u willin to sell cables Sirronikae? __________________ x5L 30gb > Westone UM1

08-22-2005, 17:23	#1
Sirronikae Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 23	Based on the work and requests from the individual cables thread, I put together this tutorial for those interested in making Line-In/Line-Out cables for the X5 that clip in securely without the need of the subpack. Tools Needed: - Gomadic Connector (www.gomadic.com, item #ICP-21-1700) - Stereo RCA Cable (no thicker than the rubber grommet hole) - Wire Cutter/Stripper - Needlenose Pliers - Soldering Iron - Solder 1) The Gomadic connector comes in 8 parts. They are: Bottom casing Top casing (the one with the arrows) 2 Metal Clip Arms 2 Square Plastic Clip Arm Covers Rubber Cable Grommet 22-pin Connector 2) It is best to assemble the connector housing first before you lose all of the little pieces. Start by slipping the plastic clip arm covers onto the metal clip arms as pictured below. Insert the metal clip arms into the bottom casing as shown. Note: There is a left and right clip arm (they are not identical). When inserting them, make sure that the clips are facing downwards. You have finished assembling the connector housing. Set it aside for now. 3) Cut your stereo RCA cable at desired length and slip the rubber grommet piece onto the end. This is not necessarily easy if your cable is too thick, so keep this in mind when selecting an RCA cable to use. 4) Split and strip your wires. You will end up with a left channel wire (white), a right channel wire (red), and bare ground wires. Twist the ground wired together as shown and only strip a few mm off of the ends of the left and right channel wires. 5) For a line-out cable, carefully remove all pins from the 22-pin connector except those shown below in red (pins 10, 13, and 14) with needlenose pliers or your wire cutter. (For a line-in cable, remove all pins except for 10, 15, and 16). After removing the pins, your connector should look like this: 6) Solder the twisted ground wire to pin 10, the right channel to pin 13, and the left channel to pin 14. 7) Once your solder has set, insert the connector into the bottom housing by inserting the clip arms into the holes in the bottom of the connector. Make sure the connector is right-side up. (It will snap into place.) Next, insert the rubber grommet into the bottom housing. 8) Snap the top casing on, plug in, and enjoy!

08-22-2005, 19:59	#5
Sirronikae Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 23	This cable was originally a 5 ft stereo RCA to mini 1/8" stereo. I cut it in half and used the other end to make a Line-Out to 1/8" stereo cable.

08-23-2005, 03:47	#8
rhydewithdis Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 27	Awesome job! What do you estimate is the total cost of parts?

08-23-2005, 04:08	#9
TheChicken Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 34	Great! Thank you very much! (Maybe this could be made sticky?)

08-23-2005, 08:19	#10
JrezIN Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: São Paulo, SP, Brasil Posts: 30	Thank you very much! (What else to say? =] )

08-23-2005, 09:38	#11
oiduai Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4	WOW!! Great Job!!

08-23-2005, 13:54	#14
koi Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 6	very nice turtorial

08-23-2005, 14:05	#15
rbienstock Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 31	Sirronikae, Is it possible to create a cable that will do USB sync and charge only? __________________ Regards, Robert

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode