FRED MANTEGHIAN BLOG

This morning I was swapping out the Rotel RSX-1057 receiver that I just finished reviewing (stay tuned – being an online pub, you won't have to wait two months to read about it) for a new Pioneer Elite VSX-84TXSi receiver.

Both receivers have multi-channel analog inputs. Pulling them out of the Rotel would be easy, but tracing the six separate and indistinguishable cables back to the Integra player when I have to hook up the Pioneer – not so much fun.

I came up with a simple idea that didn't involve fancy labels. These always seem slide off the smooth metal connectors or fail to adhere to the plastic or woven sheaths of the cables. My solution is the simple 3x5 card.

First, put three bends to it vertically (when held in a "landscape" position). Across each bend, from the back, cut two slits and then make two cuts each the other way to make the diamond pattern you see here. Don't make it too big, you want it to be tight enough that, once through, the cables won't slip out. Now label the diamonds in advance so when you pull each cable out of the piece of equipment you're replacing, you can stick it through the correct hole.

Don't forget to recycle. There won't be much left of our invention when you're through,