| Author |
Message |
goldenechos
Joined: Jun 06, 2007
Posts: 201
Location: Marshall, NC
Audio files: 1
|
 Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:12 am Post subject:
Cliff Sockets, worth the added Cost $$$??? |
  |
|
I have been building with the inexpensive 3.5mm sockets from Mouser and Futurlec (27 and 50 cents apiece USD). They are ok, but I dislike the knurled nuts and they do not always stay tight on the faceplate. I have started adding thread lock, hopefully that helps.
Yesterday I talked to a sales person at cliffusa.com and he quoted me a price of .95 cents a piece for the CL1384 S6/BB PC Mono Switched 3.5mm Jack Socket. PC Mount
At more then double my current cost, they are not a bargain... Yet they look to be MUCH nicer sockets! Having never used a Doepfer or Plan B module I have no idea what the actual quality of these sockets is, and so I was hopinng some people in this forum could give opinions.
TR |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
 |
Photon
Joined: Mar 22, 2005
Posts: 363
Location: Boston
Audio files: 1
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 7:08 am Post subject:
|
|
|
I use Kobiconn #16PJ012 (I believe that Blacet does too). They're not switchcraft, but they're pretty nice. $1 ea., $.75 ea. for 100 from Mouser. For a part thats the primary interface between you and your system and takes a lot of mechanical abuse, why skimp? Just one mans opinion. 
aside from the occasional rare IC, the real cost of this hobby is driven by hardware (Pots, knobs, jacks, switches, and panels).
Peter
.
_________________
Freq Out
o---------------<>---------------o
flickr |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
goldenechos
Joined: Jun 06, 2007
Posts: 201
Location: Marshall, NC
Audio files: 1
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 7:47 am Post subject:
|
|
|
Yes, those def. look like the Blacet jacks. I am starting to agree with you... I am not happy with the jacks I am using, which btw, are the jacks that are included in the PAIA kits.
16PJ135
Real cheap at .19 USD when you buy 100.
TR |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Photon
Joined: Mar 22, 2005
Posts: 363
Location: Boston
Audio files: 1
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 8:30 am Post subject:
|
|
|
I'm all about saving money, but if your jacks are always coming unscrewed what have you saved really? Check out this link-- the prices might be outdated though:
http://www.sdiy.org/xyzzy/parts/
P.
.
_________________
Freq Out
o---------------<>---------------o
flickr |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
fonik
Joined: Jun 07, 2006
Posts: 3950
Location: Germany
Audio files: 23
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:48 am Post subject:
Re: Cliff Sockets, worth the added Cost $$$??? |
|
|
| goldenechos wrote: | Yesterday I talked to a sales person at cliffusa.com and he quoted me a price of .95 cents a piece for the CL1384 S6/BB PC Mono Switched 3.5mm Jack Socket. PC Mount
At more then double my current cost, they are not a bargain... Yet they look to be MUCH nicer sockets! Having never used a Doepfer or Plan B module I have no idea what the actual quality of these sockets is, and so I was hopinng some people in this forum could give opinions. |
i use them for 2 1/2 years now and never had an issue.
there was some talk and complaining on the quality especially on the contactiviy. but one has to know and to regard that there are two standards for 3.5mm sockets/jacks worlswide (the asian and the western). and even the cliff sockets come in both versions. the western version that i use (as doepfer and other eurorack/frak rack builders do) has a fifth number (a "1" i believe but i don't know for sure, could verify this on monday), like CL1384(1).
_________________
cheers,
matthias
____________
Big Boss at fonitronik
Tech Buddy at Random*Source |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
goldenechos
Joined: Jun 06, 2007
Posts: 201
Location: Marshall, NC
Audio files: 1
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 12:16 pm Post subject:
Re: Cliff Sockets, worth the added Cost $$$??? |
|
|
| fonik wrote: | | [but one has to know and to regard that there are two standards for 3.5mm sockets/jacks worlswide (the asian and the western). and even the cliff sockets come in both versions. the western version that i use (as doepfer and other eurorack/frak rack builders do) has a fifth number (a "1" i believe but i don't know for sure, could verify this on monday), like CL1384(1). |
Thanx Matthias, that is some very important info.
Did you have any trouble soldering hook-up wire to the lugs on the PCB mount Cliff sockets?
Your site is great btw. Thank you,
TR |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
goldenechos
Joined: Jun 06, 2007
Posts: 201
Location: Marshall, NC
Audio files: 1
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 12:38 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
Just spoke with Mike at Cliff USA and there is in fact a second version of the CL1384 socket. This is an updated version to address the problem of poor contact at the tip when certian (cheaper) brands of of cables are used. THe CL1384(1) is the model number in which Cliff lowered the tip contact to make certian the connection regardless of the cable in use.
TR |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
goldenechos
Joined: Jun 06, 2007
Posts: 201
Location: Marshall, NC
Audio files: 1
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:29 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
| Photon wrote: | I'm all about saving money, but if your jacks are always coming unscrewed what have you saved really? Check out this link-- the prices might be outdated though:
http://www.sdiy.org/xyzzy/parts/
P.
. |
Thank you for the link, very useful.
TR |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
fluxmonkey
Joined: Jun 24, 2005
Posts: 708
Location: cleve
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:43 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
i use the kobiconn jacks for panel mounted stuff, very reliable and never had any problems.
i wanted to get hold of the cliff jacks for a couple of fonik's layouts that use pcb-mount (also ken stone's revised steiner filter), but somehow never figured out how to actually order from cliff-usa.
are the improved versions available for order in the US? peter at plan b has complained that cliff was not very responsive to him when trying to do so...
b
Last edited by fluxmonkey on Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:58 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
fonik
Joined: Jun 07, 2006
Posts: 3950
Location: Germany
Audio files: 23
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:54 pm Post subject:
Re: Cliff Sockets, worth the added Cost $$$??? |
|
|
| goldenechos wrote: | | Did you have any trouble soldering hook-up wire to the lugs on the PCB mount Cliff sockets? |
nope. i tend to use hgh temperatures at short times fpr this case.
BTW i even don't use shrink tubes (there is no mechanical stress inside the synth).
_________________
cheers,
matthias
____________
Big Boss at fonitronik
Tech Buddy at Random*Source |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
goldenechos
Joined: Jun 06, 2007
Posts: 201
Location: Marshall, NC
Audio files: 1
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 5:09 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
| bbob wrote: |
i wanted to get hold of the cliff jacks for a couple of fonik's layouts that use pcb-mount (also ken stone's revised steiner filter), but somehow never figured out how to actually order from cliff-usa.
are the improved versions available for order in the US? peter at plan b has complained that cliff was not very responsive to him when trying to do so...
b |
I talked to Mike at Cliff USA about the revised version. He has none to sell me... He told me that the original version will work great with any high quality 3.5mm plug. The connectivity issue comes when "cheap cables" are used??? I ask him to email when he has the revised version available. I can let you know when I hear from him.
TR |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
3vcos
Joined: Oct 26, 2006
Posts: 107
Location: California
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2007 10:03 am Post subject:
|
|
|
Funny.. if you are in the USA you can order cliff jacks from overseas and save money even with shipping costs and delivery time is much better than cliff usa. Have a look here...
http://www.electronelec.co.uk/acatalog/Electron_Electronics_3_5mm_jack_plugs_and_sockets_195.html
| goldenechos wrote: | | bbob wrote: |
i wanted to get hold of the cliff jacks for a couple of fonik's layouts that use pcb-mount (also ken stone's revised steiner filter), but somehow never figured out how to actually order from cliff-usa.
are the improved versions available for order in the US? peter at plan b has complained that cliff was not very responsive to him when trying to do so...
b |
I talked to Mike at Cliff USA about the revised version. He has none to sell me... He told me that the original version will work great with any high quality 3.5mm plug. The connectivity issue comes when "cheap cables" are used??? I ask him to email when he has the revised version available. I can let you know when I hear from him.
TR |
|
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
goldenechos
Joined: Jun 06, 2007
Posts: 201
Location: Marshall, NC
Audio files: 1
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2007 1:00 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
Wow that's great!
Makes no sense that Cliff USA is being so hard to buy from!
TR |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
fonik
Joined: Jun 07, 2006
Posts: 3950
Location: Germany
Audio files: 23
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 10:46 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
again this seems to be the simple unimproved 1384 version...
_________________
cheers,
matthias
____________
Big Boss at fonitronik
Tech Buddy at Random*Source |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
goldenechos
Joined: Jun 06, 2007
Posts: 201
Location: Marshall, NC
Audio files: 1
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 4:15 am Post subject:
|
|
|
| fonik wrote: | | again this seems to be the simple unimproved 1384 version... |
Yeah sure is... Rapid Electronics has them for cheaper (then Cliff USA) as well. They also have the nice Blacet style knobs, thinking about doing an order from them.
Fonik: Do you know anybody that is selling the NEW IMPROVED version???
TR |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
fonik
Joined: Jun 07, 2006
Posts: 3950
Location: Germany
Audio files: 23
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 4:24 am Post subject:
|
|
|
| goldenechos wrote: | Fonik: Do you know anybody that is selling the NEW IMPROVED version???
TR |
cliff uk
a friend of mine ordered a bunch of them (8 weeks back ordered) and included the view i need in his order - lucky me!
if you find others who need them you could do a group buy? if you order 1000 you will get a good price, i bet.
_________________
cheers,
matthias
____________
Big Boss at fonitronik
Tech Buddy at Random*Source |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
goldenechos
Joined: Jun 06, 2007
Posts: 201
Location: Marshall, NC
Audio files: 1
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 6:57 am Post subject:
|
|
|
| fonik wrote: | | goldenechos wrote: | Fonik: Do you know anybody that is selling the NEW IMPROVED version???
TR |
cliff uk
a friend of mine ordered a bunch of them (8 weeks back ordered) and included the view i need in his order - lucky me!
if you find others who need them you could do a group buy? if you order 1000 you will get a good price, i bet. |
Yeah, I thought about that...
Anybody reading this thread have anything to say about the standard, unrevised cliff socket? How much of a problem is it to use them?
Anybody on this thread interested in doing a group buy? If 10 of us take 100 each we could do god on this!
TR |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
3vcos
Joined: Oct 26, 2006
Posts: 107
Location: California
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 10:24 am Post subject:
|
|
|
About the standard unimproved version...
Say if you buy 300 or so at a time, you're bound to come up with 5 or so that are messed up. They can be touchy jacks as well. Handle with care so to speak. If you want to maintain a look on your modular by going with cliff jacks its not too big of a deal all in all. That said all things considered if you are making a new design I'd say there are better jacks (both aesthetically, mechanically and price/value wise)
[quote="goldenechos"] | fonik wrote: | | goldenechos wrote: | Fonik: Do you know anybody that is selling the NEW IMPROVED version???
TR |
cliff uk
Anybody reading this thread have anything to say about the standard, unrevised cliff socket? How much of a problem is it to use them?
TR |
|
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
goldenechos
Joined: Jun 06, 2007
Posts: 201
Location: Marshall, NC
Audio files: 1
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:52 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
| 3vcos wrote: | That said all things considered if you are making a new design I'd say there are better jacks (both aesthetically, mechanically and price/value wise)
|
What do you recommend? I am leaning toward the jacks Photon suggested:
Kobiconn #16PJ012
The mouser price on these is decent and Photon seemed to think they were nice. They have the hex nut, which is something I want. Appears to be what Blacet is using.
Thank you for the responses everybody.
TR |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
|
Forum index » DIY Hardware and Software
FAQ
Calendar
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
Chat Room
