In Reply to: Bought wrong XLR connector (not gold) disaster or don't care? posted by janis on October 21, 2003 at 08:51:56:
Hi
Silver plated XLRs are recommended for cables that are frequently plugged/unplugged (Pro/PA work), because the contacts are self-cleaning during insertion. Also, silver oxide is more conductive than shiny silver!
Gold plated male and female XLRs are recommended if you plan to set and forget it, because gold does not oxidize and needs no frequent cleaning (unplugging).As for the sound, I have no direct experience with silver x gold XLRs.
My experiments with Cardas RCAs showed a marked difference between silver, gold and rhodium. Silver sounds slightly bright, gold is OK/ well balanced and Rhodium is the best, specially in the bass.
However, Vampire's direct gold plating over OFC copper RCAs (model # 800 CB) sounded better than Carda's best IN MY SYSTEM.
Vampire makes OFC-direct gold plating male XLRs, however the female XLR must have some spring action, therefore no way to use OFC, it is made of copper+nickel+gold.
I have made three pairs of balanced ICs with Vampire's gold plated XLRs for friends and the "customers" are delighted. One of those cables beat a $1200 Siltech balanced cable in my friend's system (Wadia> Siltech, now Tone Audio> Electrocompaniet AW220> Proac.
I hope this helps.
Note: No affiliation to Vampire besides being a very satisfied OEM customer.
Carlos
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Follow Ups
- Re: Bought wrong XLR connector (not gold) disaster or don't care? - Carlos 10/29/0318:02:13 10/29/03 (0)