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Eichman RCA's - what makes them so good?

I've just installed a set of these on a silver interconnect I have and the difference in details was very noticeable. The image has become very focussed with more depth and the micro details have also improved consideraby.

I realize the silver is probably responsible for the improved resolution, so is the design responsible for the improved imaging? Will the copper give me the same image improvements?

Has anyone out there tried both the silver and the copper (or gold plated copper)
- if so what difference did you notice?

Alternately - if you have only used copper
- what were you using previously?
- what differences did you notice?

I am using these on my analogue stage, which I thought was pretty good - until yesterday.

I'm thinking of trying the gold plated copper on the digital side - or should I just opt for the silver - the curious side of me wants the copper, just to see what the differences are, but the pragmatic side is saying that if I'm not happy - I'll need to replace them with the silver :-)

If it's the design of the rca that's more responsible for the improvements' then going for the copper would be more cost effective

Any feedback appreciated - thanks
williewonka

Showing 2 responses by syntax

syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
DIN / RCA / XLR has nothing to do with sound quality. What counts much more is the material they are made of. AES Standard rates copper as Standard for Signal transfer ability (=100%), Silver for example is 106, gold is around 90 and everything else is much worse.
When the unit has very cheap RCA input plugs (brass with gold plating for example), they are in the area of 60, that means, they reduce any input signal by min. 40 % from what is possible. That is the real problem, not cable rolling (most have good connectors but here it is the same, it is not magic, it is knowledge).
The next interesting fact is, when there are two options, for example RCA and XLR, or RCA and DIN, which one has the better amplification stage?

Most manufacturers try to save money wherever it is possible, (nearly) no one uses real high quality RCA in- outputs (or silver wire inside)....the problem is not the manufacturer, the problem is the mark up for the following distributor chain. This kills normally every try to move on seriously for best possible reproduction (and these inputs are in the beginning of the amplification chain).
I changed all the RCA in-outputs from my Lamm Preamp/amps to the best available ones and the difference must be heard to believe ... but that was really expensive. Impossible to do for a manufacturer, it would kill his profit chance immediately.
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
I used the Plastic Eichmann Plugs (both, the Plastic ones but also their metal ones), they are indeed very, very good. Their grip is superior. Signal transfer is also top level. a few years ago I read a technical paper about their Design, it made sense what they developed.The plastic ones are a bit difficult for soldering, it has to be done professionally, otherwise the heat will widen the plastic around the grounding contact, this can create hum.
SignalCable offers these for their cables, when someone is looking for a very good but not too expensive solution, they do their job right.
Really good are the Eichmann Phono Pods for aftermarket modification, when someone reads this and is looking for a top connector, go for these.
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