gold plated connectors
 

In article , Jim H
wrote:
more from the 'Arny Krueger school' of uk.rec.audio-ism:

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.

Out of interest, what's so bad about the phono connector? They've always
seeemed, on admitedly an uninformed anaysis, to me intuative and rather
neat way to terminate coax.

For me it tends to be:

1) Due to variations in size, and the design of the inner part of the
'contact' of the female, connections can sometimes be unreliable.

2) The live makes contact before the outer, and is exposed in the male.
This can lead to sudden loud noises if used with equipment on, and can lead
to accidental shorts, etc.

I'm happy enough using them in a domestic context, but given my druthers,
I'd have chosen something else.


Slainte,

Jim

--
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Audio Misc http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/AudioMisc/index.html
Armstrong Audio http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/Audio/armstrong.html
Barbirolli Soc. http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/JBSoc/JBSoc.html

gold plated connectors
 

"Mike Gilmour" wrote in message

"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
...
"Jim H" wrote in message

more from the 'Arny Krueger school' of uk.rec.audio-ism:

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.

Out of interest, what's so bad about the phono connector? They've
always seeemed, on admitedly an uninformed anaysis, to me intuative
and rather neat way to terminate coax.

Has a significent, audible differences between short phono and XLR
terminated cables runs been demonstrated? Or is it merely a
theoretical shortcoming?

Compare and contrast XLR versus RCA

(1) XLR connectors have at least 2 insulated conductors plus ground
so they can be used for balanced I/O. The RCA can't. Advantage - far
fewer problems with hum and noise, particularly in complex setups.

(2) The XLR connector latches in place, so it doesn't fall out of
its socket by accident. The latching mechanism is very robust - you
can hang relatively heavy objects with a good quality XLR cable.

(3) There are no exposed signal-carrying parts with an XLR
connectors, so critical signal-carrying parts are mechanically
protected when the plugs are unmated.

(4) XLR connectors make the ground connection first and break it
last. This reduces noise and transients when you insert or remove
them when equipment is turned on.

(5) XLR connector signal-carrying pins are large and wipe over a
long area when the plug is mated.

(6) XLR connectors are self-centering and self-locating when you
mate them.

(7) XLR connectors are very robust - you can step on them, even
drive a truck or run a road roller over them, and they will still
work.

(8) Modern XLR connectors incorporate effective cable strain relief
and are easier to assemble than RCA connectors.

(9) Quality XLR connectors are relatively cheap compared to
so-called high quality but poorer performing RCA plugs. You can get
a quality XLR connector from a top manufacturer for under $2 in
small quantities.

(10) Quality XLR cables are also relatively cheap compared to
so-called high quality but poorer performing RCA-based interconnects.

What do you suggest instead? I suppose toslink, or phono used
digitally?

There's a digital standard that uses XLR plugs. It's called AES/EBU.

Fun disadvantages of XLR in the domestic setting :

(1) When you trip over a lead the equipment comes too.

Install it properly! If nothing else, Velcro it down.

;-)

(2) You need serious back panel real-estate for home cinema.

Use separate components. Who needs receivers anyway?

;-)

(3) When plugging blind you need to align it.

Nothing that any sucessful married man doesn't already know how to do.

;-)

Another advantage of XLR (leads):

(1) You can daisychain 'em easily

:-)

Not a joke, except that one of our RAO audio eggsperts just had to have this
pointed out to him in another forum.

gold plated connectors
 

"Mike Gilmour" wrote in message

"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
...
"Jim H" wrote in message

more from the 'Arny Krueger school' of uk.rec.audio-ism:

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.

Out of interest, what's so bad about the phono connector? They've
always seeemed, on admitedly an uninformed anaysis, to me intuative
and rather neat way to terminate coax.

Has a significent, audible differences between short phono and XLR
terminated cables runs been demonstrated? Or is it merely a
theoretical shortcoming?

Compare and contrast XLR versus RCA

(1) XLR connectors have at least 2 insulated conductors plus ground
so they can be used for balanced I/O. The RCA can't. Advantage - far
fewer problems with hum and noise, particularly in complex setups.

(2) The XLR connector latches in place, so it doesn't fall out of
its socket by accident. The latching mechanism is very robust - you
can hang relatively heavy objects with a good quality XLR cable.

(3) There are no exposed signal-carrying parts with an XLR
connectors, so critical signal-carrying parts are mechanically
protected when the plugs are unmated.

(4) XLR connectors make the ground connection first and break it
last. This reduces noise and transients when you insert or remove
them when equipment is turned on.

(5) XLR connector signal-carrying pins are large and wipe over a
long area when the plug is mated.

(6) XLR connectors are self-centering and self-locating when you
mate them.

(7) XLR connectors are very robust - you can step on them, even
drive a truck or run a road roller over them, and they will still
work.

(8) Modern XLR connectors incorporate effective cable strain relief
and are easier to assemble than RCA connectors.

(9) Quality XLR connectors are relatively cheap compared to
so-called high quality but poorer performing RCA plugs. You can get
a quality XLR connector from a top manufacturer for under $2 in
small quantities.

(10) Quality XLR cables are also relatively cheap compared to
so-called high quality but poorer performing RCA-based interconnects.

What do you suggest instead? I suppose toslink, or phono used
digitally?

There's a digital standard that uses XLR plugs. It's called AES/EBU.

Fun disadvantages of XLR in the domestic setting :

(1) When you trip over a lead the equipment comes too.

Install it properly! If nothing else, Velcro it down.

;-)

(2) You need serious back panel real-estate for home cinema.

Use separate components. Who needs receivers anyway?

;-)

(3) When plugging blind you need to align it.

Nothing that any sucessful married man doesn't already know how to do.

;-)

Another advantage of XLR (leads):

(1) You can daisychain 'em easily

:-)

Not a joke, except that one of our RAO audio eggsperts just had to have this
pointed out to him in another forum.

gold plated connectors
 

Hi,

In message , Arny Krueger
writes
"Mike Gilmour" wrote in message

(1) When you trip over a lead the equipment comes too.

Install it properly! If nothing else, Velcro it down.

Not always easy, if the equipment is a microphone! I once fell over a
microphone cable in my student days (yes, I know, it should have been
gaffer taped). Apart from smashing my knee on the edge of the drum
riser, I got smacked on the head by the microphone stand as it fell. Not
one of my better days.

--
Regards,
Glenn Booth

gold plated connectors
 

Hi,

In message , Arny Krueger
writes
"Mike Gilmour" wrote in message

(1) When you trip over a lead the equipment comes too.

Install it properly! If nothing else, Velcro it down.

Not always easy, if the equipment is a microphone! I once fell over a
microphone cable in my student days (yes, I know, it should have been
gaffer taped). Apart from smashing my knee on the edge of the drum
riser, I got smacked on the head by the microphone stand as it fell. Not
one of my better days.

--
Regards,
Glenn Booth

gold plated connectors
 

On Tue, 4 Nov 2003 11:13:55 -0500, "Arny Krueger"
wrote:

(2) You need serious back panel real-estate for home cinema.

Use separate components. Who needs receivers anyway?

Anyone who wants good surround sound on a reasonable budget? :-)
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering

gold plated connectors
 

On Tue, 4 Nov 2003 11:13:55 -0500, "Arny Krueger"
wrote:

(2) You need serious back panel real-estate for home cinema.

Use separate components. Who needs receivers anyway?

Anyone who wants good surround sound on a reasonable budget? :-)
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering

gold plated connectors
 

"Stewart Pinkerton" wrote in message

On Tue, 4 Nov 2003 11:13:55 -0500, "Arny Krueger"
wrote:

(2) You need serious back panel real-estate for home cinema.

Use separate components. Who needs receivers anyway?

Anyone who wants good surround sound on a reasonable budget? :-)

Right. Please notice that the canonical surround system composed of a DVD
player and a surround receiver needs no RCA connectors at all.

gold plated connectors
 

"Stewart Pinkerton" wrote in message

On Tue, 4 Nov 2003 11:13:55 -0500, "Arny Krueger"
wrote:

(2) You need serious back panel real-estate for home cinema.

Use separate components. Who needs receivers anyway?

Anyone who wants good surround sound on a reasonable budget? :-)

Right. Please notice that the canonical surround system composed of a DVD
player and a surround receiver needs no RCA connectors at all.

gold plated connectors
 

In article ,
Arny Krueger wrote:
Compare and contrast XLR versus RCA

You've missed out one *vital* point, though, Arny. XLRs are too large for
the many connections needed on, say, an AV amp. You can populate to approx
twice the density with phonos.

For those who *really* must have the best co-ax connectors which are
also smaller than phonos, use Lemos as fitted to the better radio mic
aerials. But you'll need deep pockets.

--
*Caution: I drive like you do.

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn