Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - Length/Signal Strength for RCA cable run.

As part of my home stereo setup, I would like to run a line level RCA (ie - before the signal is amplified, in case I'm using the wrong terms...) cable from the 2nd Zone outputs on my surround sound amp. The RCA cable will run about 20 feet across the basement ceiling to a single source amp and then to a multi zone speaker selector to be sent up to volume controls and speakers in various locations in the house.

I believe I understand how to get it all to work, I just don't know if there is a problem with the distance the RCA connection will have to travel and the signal strength when it reaches the amp in the basement. Is that something to worry about? If so, what are some ways around the problem?

Finally, I've never messed with anything but pre made RCA cables. It is possible to make them to custom lengths myself for this kind of installation, right?

Thanks

If you use a decent grade coax you can. RG6 isn't too hard to deal with.

You can probably even use a twisted pair cable such as cat5. I have used it for audio with acceptable quality, at around 50 ft, and with network on the second pair.

Some online vendors have longer, even will make custom length cables.

Ya, 20ft isnt too bad.. you dont need 'Monster' cables etc, just any decent a/v set.
I have an a/v source that is out about 45ft from the a/v center. I sent the baseband video over rg6 coax (using direct fitting adapters), and cat5e tel wire for the audio lines. The impedances for that setup are not exact, but close enough for consumer use. Sending audio over coax (or video over cat5) might be too much of a mismatch. Everyone's ears are different, but ya dont want to introduce a new 'weak link' to your system when you dont have to.

You can make your own if you have decent soldering skills. You'll need two runs of "single conductor shielded" raw cable, 20 or 22 AWG, and four RCA male ends.

However, I doubt you can buy the parts cheaper than you can find it at monoprice.com