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Budget RCA/Power Plugs for DIY

Long story short, my system is finally getting to the point where I can hear micro-details in the music reproduction. I'm able to hear the differences in cables and even the RCA plugs on my interconnects...a year ago I would have been skeptical about such differences, but my current system is resolving that well!

I have my wire picked out, it's a nice silver plated copper. I'm looking for some quality RCA plugs that *are not* $100+ a pair. I'm not married to any brand or style, and I can solder and finish cables quite well, just looking for good bang for the buck plugs. Currently I'm taking the RCA plugs off 20 year old Monster M350 cable and reusing them - I'm sure most anything aftermarket would be better.

Also, I'm going to try my hand at making myself a power cord - just out of curiosity, to see if I can hear a difference. I've already got a dedicated ground, 20 amp circuit to my tube amp with a basic Hubble Hospital Grade Outlet, and a fresh 100amp circuit to the house for my listening room. What decent but budget IEC and Plug would you recommend I look at? Again, I don't want to spend over $100 for these two plugs.

I'm looking forward to your suggestions!
lonelyraven

Showing 2 responses by lonelyraven

lonelyraven's avatar
lonelyraven OP
2 posts
 
Thanks for that. I've already got some nice Milspec silver plated copper, PTFE insulated 10 gauge wire I'm going to braid, I just needed some good connectors. I was looking at that very same one in your first link on eBay, but wanted to ping the Audiogon crowd first and see if there is something better or more commonly recommended.

Any tips on RCA plugs?
lonelyraven's avatar
lonelyraven OP
2 posts
 
I really don't have much to compare the hospital grade Hubble plugs against except for standard plugs, and it seems fine. It is well built and easy to insert and lock down the wire in the walls.

I don't have a source for the 10 gauge wire unfortunately; it was simply some hand-me-down wire from a friend who experimented with many milspec wires he got as end-of-spools or cut-offs. He wound up going with the same stuff but 8 gauge (really hard to find) for $4.50 a foot.

Eichman Bullets are at the top of my list so far. I might also compare to some inexpensive chinese clones of high end RCA plugs just to see if I can get 80%+ of the quality of the high end plugs for 20% of the cost...
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