unused inputs/outputs - safe to short?


Thinking of trying some of the rca caps now widely available - I notice opinion seems to be divided as to whether it is safe to use the caps with a "male" RCA section.

Undoubtedly it is NOT safe to "short" an RCA output.

But shorting an unused input should neither be here nor there - it should technically quieten the "crosstalk" between inputs, but surely could not cause any damage to a preamp?
bleoberis

Showing 2 responses by bleoberis

Update on this;

Actually, tonight I tested if my inputs 2, 3 & 4 are active when I use
input 1 on the preamp. Put a cd on (input 1), turned the volume right
down, switched from input 1 to input 2 and got the shock of my life!
With the volume about 50%, I can actually quite audibly detect a thin,
metallic rendition of the source. Same for input 3, but input 4 was
noticeably softer - needed about 65% on the volume pot to reach the same
level. I don't even think shorting out input 2, 3 and 4 would help
because the music seems to be transferred to the other inputs from input
1 on the internal wiring of the amp.

Do you think this could be a defect one should try to correct in some
way?