Speaker cable and Interconnect BRASS Connectors


I have been thinking about speaker cables and interconnect connectors, in that cable manufacturers don't say what the connectors are made off. When you read the description of cables you are lead to believe that the cables the best thing there is since slice bread. Yes I do know that cables make a difference in your system but i don't understand why the connectors in most cases are made of BRASS. Don't you think Brass will cause a bottleneck in signal flow? if you consider what the best electrical conductors are you might agree:
1. Silver (pure)2. Copper (pure)3. Gold (pure)4. Aluminum5. Zinc6. Nickel7. Brass8. Bronze9. Iron10. Platinum11. Steel
Brass falls in 7th place; so why make the connectors out of Brass? I think we are paying $400 + for speaker and interconnect cables but not getting the full potential of these cables because of the Brass connectors. And don't tell me that the Brass connectors don't affect the signal negatively. You know about the difference that silver solder makes, then what about Brass? have you tested it against other connectors such as copper? I am curious to hear your thoughts.

almandog

Showing 1 response by zalive

Tellurium copper (or even berylium copper) would be superior to brass or bronze, yet strong enough and elastic. Brass is a legacy, historic material but also obviously cheaper to make connectors from. While it is great for general use it's not the best available yet affordable option for hifi. 

However makers of connector still mostly refuse to accept that minimum metal mass is a way to go for hi-fi instead of massive, heavy connectors which have to fight Eddy currents. Also, heavy nickel plating under gold or silver finish plating is still preferred over direct gold/silver plating just because it gives that nicem looking eye-candy effect gloss. Seems many manufacturers prefer eye candy gloss or massive approach before what's best for the sound. However wise ones will choose otherwise if they have an option...