SonarQuest Silver Plugs have Nickel Layer?


Have been making some DIY AC cables and was about to buy SonarQuest Alloy Edition Silver Plated when I read this in the specs:

"Processing the copper surface, Surface Plated layer of bright nickel plating → Flash Silver Plated → Thick 4N Silver Plated → CRYO -196."

Wouldn't the nickel layer between the copper and silver screw up the high conductivity of the copper and silver? Went with the straight copper instead. Gold plated also has nickel layer.

brianmid

I’m surprised they volunteered that, but then these are pretty affordable as far as premium connectors go, these days. They’ll probably say the layer is so thin (e.g. a few atoms thick) that it doesn’t affect sound nor electrical resistance, and helps stabilize the metal interface. But then you’ll have other guys who claim nickel sounds awful in any amount. Nickel is not a good conductor, but it’s very stable. 

AQ doesn’t use a nickel layer in their silver dipped or plated connectors, but then they tarnish like crazy. 

Probably a good call to go for copper, but you'll want to keep them clean.