Here are the line contacts before and after their final buffing. Pictures (At least mine) do not do the buffed versions justice. Nice and shiny and quite smooth. Under a 10X loupe that are very, very different from each other.
Guess which is which?
Why would I go to all of this trouble? several reasons:
My innate curiosity makes me do it. Can't help myself. OCD?
To find out just how good for audio standard products can be. As I have found out over the years there are a slew of OK products out there that can sound awesome with a little care. First came swapping out op amps for better SQ, then 4001 diodes for soft recovery, then Schottky to clean up power supply noise, then power supply caps and on and on...
POOGE: Progressive Optimization Of Otherwise Generic Equipment. I can't remember if it was Gary Galo or one of the other guys at The Audio Amateur than came up with that idea , but it stuck with me.
Another reason was to hear the difference in SQ when I did the polish thing to these and to Wattage plugs. Not really subtle. The changes were definitely for the better.
Another reason is that this type of polish works well with aftermarket plugs: Furutech, Oyiade and the rest. This saves the plating from the gouges a standard receptacle will impart on a high $$$ plug. Better resale when you find that the cable du jour sucks in our system.
The other reason is that this modified receptacle just sounds better to me than the Furutech FPX(Cu) to my ears. I despise upper mid push in system that are on the verge of being too analytical (at the BAD end of analytical). A P&S 5362A modified in this manner is smooth, organic, revealing without being harsh with great bass and clear, very clean highs. It is considerably better than some high end receptacles to my old ears. Once again, to ward off
YMMV.
Remember: the wild opinions uttered by me are mine. I 'fess up to them and freely admit that my preferences are MY preferences.
I guess the big point is this: take some time. Figure out how all of this works. You will find that there are some big strides in SQ out there just waiting for curiosity and elbow grease to take hold.