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A question of metal type; the value of matching RCA phono plugs to sockets ?

A question of metal type; the value of matching RCA phono plugs to sockets ?  If voided warranty, accessibility, time and cost poses little or no issue, does anyone on the forum find musical value in replacing some or all of the gold plated RCA sockets usually supplied with equipment for alternatives? With use of silver IC’s and, for example, either ETI Kryo or KLEI Absolute Harmony silver (plated) RCA plug terminations, it seems obvious to consider whether replacing standard gold sockets for these manufacturer's silver makes a difference worth the effort for a quiet high resolving system (vinyl records, TVC, SET & horns) ? Before I set out testing, I'd be grateful to read observations from golden (or silver) eared metallurgists or others on the forum with time to entertain what is at issue. All good wishes for the season. 
 

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Showing 1 response by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,858 posts
 

I’ll just add this about Vintage RCA Jacks material, corrosion, size:

My old McIntosh mx110z, and other older receivers ... the rca jacks age and corrode, they were not gold plated. you can clean them but they corrode again. You get balance issues, can be random.

Audio Classics overhauled my mx110z, they replaced all the rca in/out with new jack panels, gold plated. Oh Happy Day.

Also, the McIntosh jacks were slightly undersized diameter, replacements nice and tight.

I changed my cables to Locking RCA connectors, to avoid inadvertently disrupting a connection somewhere while moving something else.

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