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?


If you want to buy a lot, try Studiospares. They give quantity discounts.

Ian

"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.


If you want to buy a lot, try Studiospares. They give quantity discounts.

Ian

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

Why spoil your audio system by using iffy phono plugs.

TBH if you can get enough bandwidth for *video* out of them, I really doubt that (oxidisation / differing metal issues aside) you'll ever notice an audible difference between two different phonos.

best solution is to make sure you use the same metal on the plug and socket, so as not to promote the build up of non-conductive oxides (which will be noticeable).

IOW if your amp has nickel plated phono sockets, use nickel plated plugs. If gold, then use gold.


--
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.

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.

Mike

"Ian Molton" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 3 Nov 2003 09:40:26 -0000
"Mike Gilmour" wrote:

Why spoil your audio system by using iffy phono plugs.

TBH if you can get enough bandwidth for *video* out of them, I really
doubt that (oxidisation / differing metal issues aside) you'll ever notice
an audible difference between two different phonos.

best solution is to make sure you use the same metal on the plug and
socket, so as not to promote the build up of non-conductive oxides (which
will be noticeable).

IOW if your amp has nickel plated phono sockets, use nickel plated plugs.
If gold, then use gold.


--
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.

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.

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.

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.

Mike

"Ian Molton" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 3 Nov 2003 09:40:26 -0000
"Mike Gilmour" wrote:

Why spoil your audio system by using iffy phono plugs.

TBH if you can get enough bandwidth for *video* out of them, I really
doubt that (oxidisation / differing metal issues aside) you'll ever notice
an audible difference between two different phonos.

best solution is to make sure you use the same metal on the plug and
socket, so as not to promote the build up of non-conductive oxides (which
will be noticeable).

IOW if your amp has nickel plated phono sockets, use nickel plated plugs.
If gold, then use gold.


--
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.

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

Why spoil your audio system by using iffy phono plugs.

TBH if you can get enough bandwidth for *video* out of them, I really doubt that (oxidisation / differing metal issues aside) you'll ever notice an audible difference between two different phonos.

best solution is to make sure you use the same metal on the plug and socket, so as not to promote the build up of non-conductive oxides (which will be noticeable).

IOW if your amp has nickel plated phono sockets, use nickel plated plugs. If gold, then use gold.


--
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.

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

"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