I think it's time to make some patch cables. Tayda, of course, has some really cheap 1/4" plugs, but I'm dubious. Any reviews or alternatives?
The Tayda pancakes are utter rubbish. I haven't tried their standard right angles.
I think the Amphenol right angles are nice and can be had inexpensively from redco.
http://www.redco.com/Amphenol-ACPM-RB.html
The gold ones are about 30 cents more per plug, if you care about that sort of thing.
+1 on the sucktitude of the Tayda pancakes. Absolutely worthless.
I have THESE (http://www.redco.com/Neutrik-NYS-207.html) Neutriks on my board. They've been trouble free for several years, although I don't play out so YMMV. They're a bit on the large side, too, if that matters.
I used an Amphenol connector to repair the plug on my headphones recently and was VERY impressed by the quality of that connector.
Yeah, I was suspicious they'd be crap.
Compiling a shopping cart at Redco now. I'd like to stick to non-plastic options, though. The Redco-branded right-angles I like are $2.75 - kinda ouchy. Amphenols are kinda big.
The Amphenols are indeed kinda big. I wish I could find something that was the size of George L right angle but soldered. Oh, and not $6 a piece. Is that too much to ask?
At least the Amphenols aren't plastic. The black looks plastic, but isn't.
Can't help but eyeball the deals on eBay now. Might not even end up saving any money over Redco after paying for shipping, though.
Switchcraft 228s are $3.79 at Markertek
http://www.markertek.com/Connectors-Adapters/Audio-Connectors/1-4in-Phone-Connectors/Switchcraft-Corporation/238.xhtml (http://www.markertek.com/Connectors-Adapters/Audio-Connectors/1-4in-Phone-Connectors/Switchcraft-Corporation/238.xhtml)
Just bought 2 non-pancake right angles from Tayda and they seem fine. Just built a 'longer' cable for my board. No issues (yet). Works fine. Feels sturdy.
I recent picked up 20 GLS Audio 1/4" right angle pancake plugs from Orange County Speaker (http://www.speakerrepair.com) for $29.99. Paired them up with Mogami W2319 cable from Redco ($0.44/ft). Very happy with the quality so far. Very happy that the pancakes have solder tabs for both tip and sleeve.
I've used the GLS pancakes and prefer them. Neturik or GHS or Switchcraft all make top notch stuff.
I've tried some of the Chandler stuff that Mammoth carries and it's alright.
Look into Redco for getting your materials. They have very good prices on ends and Cable.
Jacob
I use these :
(http://dealerzone.musicdata.cz/inshop/catalogue/products/pictures/HI-J63MA05-02.jpg)
Cheaper than Amphenol & Neutrik ones but well built and robust. Made in Germany.
The same brand (under the name of "Sommer Cable") makes some high quality cable too. Every cable I use now is from them.
The best source for the 229 ends is Lava Cable direct.
I have their mini-plug soldered cables on my board, and they seem very nice.