gold plated connectors
 

In article ,
Mike Gilmour wrote:
Everything helps. Why spoil your audio system by using iffy phono plugs.
Phono connection can be pretty variable at the best of times dependent
on the make, manufacturing tolerances etc. But hey we're stuck with the
phono connection so we'd better make the best of a 'bad' job. In my time
I've manufactured many thousands of phono cables as a business, in the
course of things I've used most of the more popular makes

snip

In my experience, when a phono gives connection problems, it's invariably
the 'spring' of the *socket* centre which is at fault.

If you regularly plug and unplug home made leads then a large plug with a
good cord grip makes sense.

--
*When the going gets tough, use duct tape

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

gold plated connectors
 

"Dave Plowman" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Mike Gilmour wrote:
Everything helps. Why spoil your audio system by using iffy phono plugs.
Phono connection can be pretty variable at the best of times dependent
on the make, manufacturing tolerances etc. But hey we're stuck with the
phono connection so we'd better make the best of a 'bad' job. In my time
I've manufactured many thousands of phono cables as a business, in the
course of things I've used most of the more popular makes

snip

In my experience, when a phono gives connection problems, it's invariably
the 'spring' of the *socket* centre which is at fault.

If you regularly plug and unplug home made leads then a large plug with a
good cord grip makes sense.

--
*When the going gets tough, use duct tape

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

Agreed Dave, these problems come with use or age but there still is that fit
variability even with new ones.
Personally apart from the relatively small size I don't think the phono plug
has many saving graces. I still think it was a pity phono plugs ever
evolved into an domestic standard. Still its a bit better than DIN
connectors ;-)

Mike

gold plated connectors
 

"Dave Plowman" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Mike Gilmour wrote:
Everything helps. Why spoil your audio system by using iffy phono plugs.
Phono connection can be pretty variable at the best of times dependent
on the make, manufacturing tolerances etc. But hey we're stuck with the
phono connection so we'd better make the best of a 'bad' job. In my time
I've manufactured many thousands of phono cables as a business, in the
course of things I've used most of the more popular makes

snip

In my experience, when a phono gives connection problems, it's invariably
the 'spring' of the *socket* centre which is at fault.

If you regularly plug and unplug home made leads then a large plug with a
good cord grip makes sense.

--
*When the going gets tough, use duct tape

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

Agreed Dave, these problems come with use or age but there still is that fit
variability even with new ones.
Personally apart from the relatively small size I don't think the phono plug
has many saving graces. I still think it was a pity phono plugs ever
evolved into an domestic standard. Still its a bit better than DIN
connectors ;-)

Mike

gold plated connectors
 

"Dave Plowman" wrote in message

In article ,
Mike Gilmour wrote:

Everything helps.

A claim that has been used to justify considerable gross excess. There is a
law of diminishing returns.

Why spoil your audio system by using iffy phono
plugs.

Is a low-cost plug necessarily "iffy"?

Phono connection can be pretty variable at the best of times
dependent on the make, manufacturing tolerances etc.

AFAIK the RCA plug/jack was originally used to internally connect a 45 rpm
record player mechanism with a crystal cartridge to a two-tube power
transformerless mono amplifier and 4 inch speaker of such low grade
construction that it is virtually impossible to duplicate today.

That it became the predominate connector for consumer audio is IMO a
miscarriage of justice and technology. The good news is that a proper audio
system can be constructed today with audio signals passing through exactly
zero of these techno-abortions.

But hey we're
stuck with the phono connection so we'd better make the best of a
'bad' job.

Fact of the matter is that the worst part of the RCA plug/jack design is the
jack, not the plug. Obsessing over plugs therefore doesn't make a lot of
sense unless it can be shown that a reasonable inexpensive design fails to
pass audio transparently as typically used.

The good thing about RCA plugs is that consumer audio is for most consumers,
a set and forget thing. As a plug/jack that is mated and unmated a minimal
number of times, as bad as it is, The RCA plug/jack is adequate if
reasonably well-implemented. Since warranty claims are of paramount
importance to reputable manufacturers, the plugs and jacks on most audio
gear in the category we call "mid fi" or better is usually up to the job.

In my time I've manufactured many thousands of phono
cables as a business, in the course of things I've used most of the
more popular makes

Hmmmm.

snip

In my experience, when a phono gives connection problems, it's
invariably the 'spring' of the *socket* centre which is at fault.

Agreed.

If you regularly plug and unplug home made leads then a large plug
with a good cord grip makes sense.

Agreed.

gold plated connectors
 

"Dave Plowman" wrote in message

In article ,
Mike Gilmour wrote:

Everything helps.

A claim that has been used to justify considerable gross excess. There is a
law of diminishing returns.

Why spoil your audio system by using iffy phono
plugs.

Is a low-cost plug necessarily "iffy"?

Phono connection can be pretty variable at the best of times
dependent on the make, manufacturing tolerances etc.

AFAIK the RCA plug/jack was originally used to internally connect a 45 rpm
record player mechanism with a crystal cartridge to a two-tube power
transformerless mono amplifier and 4 inch speaker of such low grade
construction that it is virtually impossible to duplicate today.

That it became the predominate connector for consumer audio is IMO a
miscarriage of justice and technology. The good news is that a proper audio
system can be constructed today with audio signals passing through exactly
zero of these techno-abortions.

But hey we're
stuck with the phono connection so we'd better make the best of a
'bad' job.

Fact of the matter is that the worst part of the RCA plug/jack design is the
jack, not the plug. Obsessing over plugs therefore doesn't make a lot of
sense unless it can be shown that a reasonable inexpensive design fails to
pass audio transparently as typically used.

The good thing about RCA plugs is that consumer audio is for most consumers,
a set and forget thing. As a plug/jack that is mated and unmated a minimal
number of times, as bad as it is, The RCA plug/jack is adequate if
reasonably well-implemented. Since warranty claims are of paramount
importance to reputable manufacturers, the plugs and jacks on most audio
gear in the category we call "mid fi" or better is usually up to the job.

In my time I've manufactured many thousands of phono
cables as a business, in the course of things I've used most of the
more popular makes

Hmmmm.

snip

In my experience, when a phono gives connection problems, it's
invariably the 'spring' of the *socket* centre which is at fault.

Agreed.

If you regularly plug and unplug home made leads then a large plug
with a good cord grip makes sense.

Agreed.

gold plated connectors
 

On Mon, 3 Nov 2003 12:49:49 -0000
"Mike Gilmour" wrote:

What about the variability of fit?..some phonoplugs almost drop out,
others need uneccessary force to fit. Some have long centre pins, some
short, some split, some solid, some make ground first (good idea)..I
could go on for ever.... Now you don't get those problems generally
with XLR's and most other 'pro' connectors.

Its a non-issue on such a high impedance input. as long as its not
actually falling out it'll work.


--
Spyros lair: http://www.mnementh.co.uk/ |||| Maintainer: arm26 linux

Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are tasty and good with
ketchup.

gold plated connectors
 

On Mon, 3 Nov 2003 12:49:49 -0000
"Mike Gilmour" wrote:

What about the variability of fit?..some phonoplugs almost drop out,
others need uneccessary force to fit. Some have long centre pins, some
short, some split, some solid, some make ground first (good idea)..I
could go on for ever.... Now you don't get those problems generally
with XLR's and most other 'pro' connectors.

Its a non-issue on such a high impedance input. as long as its not
actually falling out it'll work.


--
Spyros lair: http://www.mnementh.co.uk/ |||| Maintainer: arm26 linux

Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are tasty and good with
ketchup.

gold plated connectors
 

On Mon, 3 Nov 2003 09:40:26 -0000, "Mike Gilmour"
wrote:


"Ian Bell" wrote in message
...
Jim H wrote:

Does it really do anything for the music? I'm about to but a load of
phono
connectors from maplin, and HQ58N look pretty good at 49p a go. Does the
plug being shielded/metal/plastic really do anything at all?



Everything helps. Why spoil your audio system by using iffy phono plugs.
Phono connection can be pretty variable at the best of times dependent on
the make, manufacturing tolerances etc. But hey we're stuck with the phono
connection so we'd better make the best of a 'bad' job.
In my time I've manufactured many thousands of phono cables as a business,
in the course of things I've used most of the more popular makes WBT,
Neutrik, Vampire, RS etc etc... but a plug that was always dependable with
tight manufacturing tolerances and excellent construction without paying
silly money is the Deltron DGS Pro-Audio. I'm not connected with Deltron in
any way but if you want a really good plug (no pun intended) thats it.
Just my 2p's worth.

For another 2p, I use Deltrons for all my 'RCA' wiring. The
combination of well-made solid alloy body and Teflon insulation at a
sensible price is IME unbeatable. Where possible, I use Neutrik XLRs
to get a *real* connection................
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering

gold plated connectors
 

On Mon, 3 Nov 2003 09:40:26 -0000, "Mike Gilmour"
wrote:


"Ian Bell" wrote in message
...
Jim H wrote:

Does it really do anything for the music? I'm about to but a load of
phono
connectors from maplin, and HQ58N look pretty good at 49p a go. Does the
plug being shielded/metal/plastic really do anything at all?



Everything helps. Why spoil your audio system by using iffy phono plugs.
Phono connection can be pretty variable at the best of times dependent on
the make, manufacturing tolerances etc. But hey we're stuck with the phono
connection so we'd better make the best of a 'bad' job.
In my time I've manufactured many thousands of phono cables as a business,
in the course of things I've used most of the more popular makes WBT,
Neutrik, Vampire, RS etc etc... but a plug that was always dependable with
tight manufacturing tolerances and excellent construction without paying
silly money is the Deltron DGS Pro-Audio. I'm not connected with Deltron in
any way but if you want a really good plug (no pun intended) thats it.
Just my 2p's worth.

For another 2p, I use Deltrons for all my 'RCA' wiring. The
combination of well-made solid alloy body and Teflon insulation at a
sensible price is IME unbeatable. Where possible, I use Neutrik XLRs
to get a *real* connection................
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering

gold plated connectors
 

"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
...
"Dave Plowman" wrote in message

In article ,
Mike Gilmour wrote:

Everything helps.

A claim that has been used to justify considerable gross excess. There is
a
law of diminishing returns.

Why spoil your audio system by using iffy phono
plugs.

Is a low-cost plug necessarily "iffy"?

IMO phono plug cost seems almost immaterial to effectivness, some cheap ones
are good, some expensive poor & vice versa.

Phono connection can be pretty variable at the best of times
dependent on the make, manufacturing tolerances etc.

AFAIK the RCA plug/jack was originally used to internally connect a 45 rpm
record player mechanism with a crystal cartridge to a two-tube power
transformerless mono amplifier and 4 inch speaker of such low grade
construction that it is virtually impossible to duplicate today.

That it became the predominate connector for consumer audio is IMO a
miscarriage of justice and technology. The good news is that a proper
audio
system can be constructed today with audio signals passing through exactly
zero of these techno-abortions.

Agreed, but I'm sure the ubiquitious RCA will be with us for a while
yet..mores the pity.

But hey we're
stuck with the phono connection so we'd better make the best of a
'bad' job.

Fact of the matter is that the worst part of the RCA plug/jack design is
the
jack, not the plug. Obsessing over plugs therefore doesn't make a lot of
sense unless it can be shown that a reasonable inexpensive design fails to
pass audio transparently as typically used.

Agreed but trying several different makes of new plug into one jack does
show variability - one new plug I tested dropped out with the jack facing
down! (For test purpose only)

The good thing about RCA plugs is that consumer audio is for most
consumers,
a set and forget thing. As a plug/jack that is mated and unmated a minimal
number of times, as bad as it is, The RCA plug/jack is adequate if
reasonably well-implemented. Since warranty claims are of paramount
importance to reputable manufacturers, the plugs and jacks on most audio
gear in the category we call "mid fi" or better is usually up to the job.

But for high end probably not, because of many physically large heavy
cables...but I'm sure you'll have an opinion on that one :-)

In my time I've manufactured many thousands of phono
cables as a business, in the course of things I've used most of the
more popular makes

Hmmmm.

Meaning I most likely had experience with more phono plug/jack combinations
than the average consumer. Boring but true.