Malcolm Stewart wrote:
Thanks for the info. 3.5mm is what is on the input of my MiniDisc recorder.
My comparisons are based on what my ears tell me. If I extend the
microphone cable using stereo leads with gold plated jacks (as supplied by
Sony on their Fontopia & W.ear phones, there is minimal noise when the
connection is made, and rotating the plug is a "quiet" operation. Not so
with the tin or nickel plated varieties which seem to tarnish quite rapidly,
and produce quite noticeable noise until rotating plug in socket has scraped
it clean again.
As stated in my original post, I'm aware of XLR connectors etc. but am
trying to keep size down in this instance.
I sympathise.
I have a mini-disc recorder too and you're stuck with the connectors.
You specifically want to *extend* the connection ?
Since you're stuck with the 3.5mm jack on the recorder - but you have sourced a
lead that makes good low-noise contact - why not replace the mic connection on
the end of the extension lead with something still small but higher quality ?
Switchcraft make a kind of 'mini XLR' if that's of interest. No rotating parts
to be noisy.
http://www.switchcraft.com/products/connectors-23.html
I've sourced these in the UK before and they are in another league of
reliability.
Canford audio have them - but they aren't cheap ( ~ £5 ea )
http://www.canford.co.uk : search for 'tini-qg'
Graham