Any Difference Between Gold and Silver RCA/XLR Connector Plugs?


How much of a factor does the type of plating (gold or silver) on RCA and XLR cables play on the overall sonic signature of a cable?

I went ahead and ordered basic Neutrik XLRs with silver contacts without much thought into it. However, the equipment I'm connecting to has gold pins on the outputs and inputs. Is it a better idea (in theory) to use XLR cables with gold pins to match the equipment?
slag_lover2013

Showing 2 responses by oldhvymec


millercarbon
3,024 posts

 In this case the reason for asking is the connector will be soldered onto DIY cable. That right there is the problem.

How would you do it? I'm interested, I used pure silver solder, 2-4-6 % silver/tin/lead, WBT, and sometime NOTHING, I just hardwire, use a coil to pin mechanical contact and a dab of high temp. silicone. Pure silver or pure copper, no mix. I also make my own ends from pure copper or silver pins (SCW).
I cut 4 1.5 inch conductors and twist high strand count silver or copper
and once again join as needed, or wanted. Heck you can weld it with some of today's wire and gun setups and a good mix.
What's the best to your ears. How WOULD YOU do it? I'm like the little train, I think, I can, I think, I can. The difference is I KNOW I CAN.. How do you make yours? You have a favorite type of cable? Above and beyond all others? I'm very interested. I've been building repairing and troubleshooting cables for almost 50 years. I been repairing or having to make double sided IC for 30 plus years. Been scoping digital / analog cabling for 25 years. These cables are FULL of little networks, sometimes 30-40 different nodes Tell me how would you make it?

I'm no expert, just an old retired heavy master mechanic, but I can fix or build ANY CABLE. I MEAN ANY.. If I get my hands on it, I can make it or fix it. I don't, but I SURE can.  The treatment or conditioning on the cable that is up to the application.. Problem is the hands are wore out, only 20-30 min at a time 3 or 4 time a day. 

Regards


roberjerman
3,343 posts
02-09-2020 5:41pm
As the French Chef says: "No diffawrance!"

Really? you are kidding RIGHT??? WOW, I guess I'm blessed, I can hear a BIG difference in poorly designed cables. GREAT one not so much.. Can be pretty minor with my old ears, BUT some, WOW ear bleeding bright, NOISE!!! Never the way it was intended to be heard, or played for that matter. I have a lot of OLD Mac some a little newer, some VTL, PASS, a LOT of the gear I made or modified, BIG planar/ribbon speaker fan. I learned GOLD of low quality can cause BIG problems. Its best application is in very harsh environment, or where it's being used to ADD capacitance to a cable circuit. I've seen that quite a bit.. An eraser can go a long way to clean up sound problems with conductors..Neverdul is a great cleaning and metal treatment also...