RCA plugs questions and suggestions?

[Groove01]

More curious about intent rather than spelling....still unclear why the total rebuild of wire.

Custom fit to purpose length. I get the exact length I need to dress the cables in my rack the way I want to.

That’s why I do it.

 

[mhardy6647]

Are these from ToysAreUs? How should platic keep the plug in place? Is the body also a electrical shield?

I enlarged the image - they are using polymer.

Umm... plastics are polymers.
"Engineer-grade polymer" notwithstanding.

Now -- of course -- there are polymers that aren't plastics (as we colloquially understand the term).
Cellulose (poly beta(1,4)-linked glucose) fairly leaps to mind (but, then again, I'm a carbohydrate guy).
Of course, so does DNA.


Of course, in these -- frightfully odd -- "RCA" plugs, the polymer could be a silicone... not all that dissimilar to dime-store "plastics", but based on silicon rather than carbon.

engineer-grade polymer...
oy vey.

No comment on CuTe
but... do these doofuses know why folks use a substrate(e.g., nickel) when plating metals? It does add value, to afford a microscopically smooth surface for the final metal being (electro) plated.

oy vey^2

 

[levimax]

Umm... plastics are polymers.
"Engineer-grade polymer" notwithstanding.

Now -- of course -- there are polymers that aren't plastics (as we colloquially understand the term).
Cellulose (poly beta(1,4)-linked glucose) fairly leaps to mind (but, then again, I'm a carbohydrate guy).
Of course, so does DNA.


Of course, in these -- frightfully odd -- "RCA" plugs, the polymer could be a silicone... not all that dissimilar to dime-store "plastics", but based on silicon rather than carbon.

engineer-grade polymer...
oy vey.

View attachment 531646

No comment on CuTe
but... do these doofuses know why folks use a substrate(e.g., nickel) when plating metals? It does add value, to afford a microscopically smooth surface for the final metal being (electro) plated.

oy vey^2

I like to solder RCA plugs nice and hot so no cold joints ... with these it seems like it would be very easy to melt the plastic?

 

[mhardy6647]

I like to solder RCA plugs nice and hot so no cold joints ... with these it seems like it would be very easy to melt the plastic?

Well, in fairness, if some of the body is silicone -- it's much more heat-resistant.
... and I hear ya re: cold solder joints!

 

[Ropeburn]

Well, in fairness, if some of the body is silicone -- it's much more heat-resistant.
... and I hear ya re: cold solder joints!

I still have a long lasting supply of lead solder. Gladly don't need big amounts - have you looked at prices lately? Ungodly.

370-400° and everything goes quick.

 

[mhardy6647]

I have -- plenty -- of solder of the plumbum kind.

 

[sam_adams]

No comment on CuTe . . .
but... do these doofuses know why folks use a substrate(e.g., nickel) when plating metals? It does add value, to afford a microscopically smooth surface for the final metal being (electro) plated.

Tellerium Copper (C14500 Alloy) is chosen for its machinability—similar to hard brass. Its conductivity is 93% IACS compared to ETP or OFC, both 101% IACS, so there is a slight conductivity loss. Is it measureable? Yes. Does it make any difference in the signal strength? Probably. More importantly, it is a better material than the hard Brass that is found in most IEC/RCA connectors. But for us, the differences are too small to be of any concern.

However, the choice to plate the base metal without a passivation layer is a mistake. The conductivity loss with a Nickel passivation layer between the Tellerium Copper base metal and the Gold plating is less than if they had chosen to make the conductors from hard Brass. We saw what happens to unpassivated, plated connectors in @amirm's AudioQuest GO-4 speaker cable test:

Audioquest GO-4 Speaker Cable Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the AudioQuest GO-4 speaker cable. It is on kind loan from a member and costs about US $599. The attached dongle is a 72 volt battery supply that feeds an unterminated wire the length of the cable. Different terminations can be ordered. Here are...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Some resource links to plating Gold and Silver are below in the same discussion:

If the base metal is copper, this indicates a poorly plated nickel passivation layer under the gold plating. Absolutely shoddy workmanship. @amirm indicates that there is no nickel passivation layer under the gold. That's worse than shoddy—it's just stupid.

Two easy reads on silver and gold plating of copper:

https://advancedplatingtech.com/blog/silver-plating-of-copper-or-copper-alloys/

https://advancedplatingtech.com/blog/prevent-corrosion-of-gold-plated-contacts-terminals/

 

[EngineerNate]

Regarding cable choice, I use Mogami W2965 for all my custom RCAs. Nice to work with, very limp, and low capacitance for phono usage.

 

[lini]

(...) Its conductivity is 93% IACS compared to ETP or OFC, both 101% IACS, so there is a slight conductivity loss. Is it measureable? Yes. Does it make any difference in the signal strength? Probably. (...)

More like "unlikely", I'd assume. Because the resistance will still be next to zero compared to the input impedance of the receiving device.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[mhardy6647]

Regarding cable choice, I use Mogami W2965 for all my custom RCAs. Nice to work with, very limp, and low capacitance for phono usage.

My DIY cables are likewise Mogami-based (and, again, FWIW -- which admittedly ain't much).
And, realizing full well that nobody asked, but since the OP did get some gentle push-back at his interest in DIYing: I like making cables, and I also like having them be just the length I want them to be.

In practice, the hodge-podge of wires dangling behind my components is a bit of an aesthetic nighmare.

 

[EngineerNate]

It’s nice to be able to put nice leads on old turntables when I rebuild them.

 

[jhaider]

I think am going to go with the Neutrik NF2C-B/2 Profi Professional RCA Plug Pair. It has a nice stain relief and is probably the most I will spend on an RCA plug.

These are the best ones unless you hate soldering. The spring loaded shield is neat. If I’m ordering cables I spec these.

That said, I hate soldering! RCA plugs in current use are Canare and Liberty (“ConnecTec”), which are respectively crimp and compression-crimp.

 

[Redacted]

Many of us need "stain relief".

 

[Redacted]

Many of us need "stain relief".

And I for one am always wiggling my bits and pieces, but I'm a fanatic about bend radii in my 1.5m cables.

 

[Ropeburn]

And I for one am always wiggling my bits and pieces, but I'm a fanatic about bend radii in my 1.5m cables.

It is important to wiggle. You must test it under stess, else you don't know whether it's fully working.

 

[Redacted]

It is important to wiggle. You must test it under stess, else you don't know whether it's fully working.

Your wife told you that. Or perhaps your urologist.

 

[KL....]

For consideration of Material Tech, perhaps the following Measures (re Binding Posts) should be considered, for discussion....

• 

  Buckeye 3 Channel Purifi Amp Review

  This is review and detailed measurements of the Buckeye 3 Channel Purifi amplifier based power amp. It was kindly drop shipped to me by a member and costs US $1,699. As you see, the case is utilitarian. The amplifier is extremely light making you think there is nothing in the box! The back...

  www.audiosciencereview.com
• 

  Buckeye 3 Channel Purifi Amplifier Review (2nd)

  This is a second review of the Buckeye 3-Channel Purifi based balanced class D amplifier. First sample had an issue with its binding posts increasing distortion. It costs US US $1,595. Typical of Buckeye amplifiers, focus on what is inside rather the case which is utilitarian. An indicator...

  www.audiosciencereview.com
• Very similar THD+N/SINAD and FR, although Multitone shows a (clear) improvement (18->21 bits) and when power/current rises (THD+N vs Power)

 

[Ropeburn]

For consideration of Material Tech, perhaps the following Measures (re Binding Posts) should be considered, for discussion....

• 

  Buckeye 3 Channel Purifi Amp Review

  This is review and detailed measurements of the Buckeye 3 Channel Purifi amplifier based power amp. It was kindly drop shipped to me by a member and costs US $1,699. As you see, the case is utilitarian. The amplifier is extremely light making you think there is nothing in the box! The back...

  www.audiosciencereview.com
• 

  Buckeye 3 Channel Purifi Amplifier Review (2nd)

  This is a second review of the Buckeye 3-Channel Purifi based balanced class D amplifier. First sample had an issue with its binding posts increasing distortion. It costs US US $1,595. Typical of Buckeye amplifiers, focus on what is inside rather the case which is utilitarian. An indicator...

  www.audiosciencereview.com
• Very similar THD+N/SINAD and FR, although Multitone shows a (clear) improvement (18->21 bits) and when power/current rises (THD+N vs Power)

Contact point distortion that only occurs at power, I don't think that's relevant to a zero power application.

 

[KL....]

Contact point distortion that only occurs at power, I don't think that's relevant to a zero power application.

Thank you, @Ropeburn, are you suggesting that the distortion is Contact Pressure not Connector Material. If yes, in this case, how can the Contact Pressure be different, especially as the Connectors look identical with the same Dimensions/Architecture? Yes, in this case, these Connectors are at the Output, although the issue is suggested as Connector Material not Contact Pressure, isn’t it?

• Version1/Not Recommended (note THD+N, FR, SNR/Multitone considered as excellent)
• Version2/Recommended (note THD+N, FR, SNR/Multitone considered as excellent)
• THD+N (High Gain)…. 103/106db (3dB improvement). This can be suggested as significant although many have suggested once better than 100dB (even 95db) that the 3 or 4dB will not be audable, will sound the same, and as such, not significant, haven’t they?
• FR…. Same, Ruler Flat
• SNR (Low Gain)…. 17.5/17.5 bits, same, Superb
• Multitone…. 18/21 bits, both considered excellent. This can be suggested as significant although many have suggested once better than 100dB that the 3 or 4dB will not be audable, will sound the same, and as such, not significant, haven’t they?
• Crosstalk…. Superb/Superb (even better)
• THD+N vs Power…. rise in distortion >10watts/rise in distortion >30watts. Yes, (Clearly) Noticeable, isn’t it, although not Dramatic but is it Audable?

Reasonable Question, for this thread…. is the Connector Material change, Audable, especially as the 103/106db THD+N (consensus) suggests that it will not be Audable?

• For consideration and discussion, for Version 1 where it is Not Recommended…. THD+N/103db, FR/Ruler Flat, SNR (Low Gain) 17.5 bits/Superb (less), Crosstalk/Superb, only THD+N vs Power and Power on/off are (noteable) issue/s. With a THD+N of 103db, the Not Recommended suggests that the indicated issue/s is/are Audable, reasonable….
• Considering the indicated issue was Output Connector Material, the Power on/off noise is a Conundrum/Dilemma, isn’t it? Perhaps, DC Offset/Chargeing Effect and/or PS Noise/Ripple....
• 
  
• Consideration for Vesrion2…. if the Version1 Connector/s were placed after the Version2 Connector/s (if possible), would the Measure/s be the same as/similar to Version1?

Further Question…. if this had occured at the Input, rather than the Output, what would the Measure/s be?…. for consideration and discussion….

 

[Ropeburn]

I still don't see the relevance to an application with no binding posts but large contact area plugs and basically zero current.