[robertsong9]

Hello

I was wondering if anybody has an opinion on matching metals between plugs an outlets. Gold plugs mated with gold outlets, rhodium with rhodium, copper with copper, etc. Anybody think this actually matters? Or is it just the sonic signatures of the metals itslef that matter?

This might seem like a strange or totally insignificant question to some, but I have heard people comment about this elsewhere on the internet. 

[jtwrace]

I don't think any of this matters in the grand scheme.  If everything else is "perfect" then OK but there is SO MUCH more to it (like room acoustics) before this that most people do not do.  I highly recommend you do those things before worrying about metals within your outlet and plug. 

[Early B.]

In audio, everything matters. The problem is -- how are you gonna know it matters unless you perform several elaborate A/B tests on the same gear, but with varying metal plugs and outlets?

[dBe]

I am in the sonic signatures of the metals camp, but that presupposes several things.

Can your system resolve the signatures
Can you resolve the signatures
Do you really care if it sounds really good the way it is?


IME:
TPEC - Somewhat grainy
Furutech Cu - honest, maybe too honest with a slight upper mids push
Furutech G - warm, round, golden detail with fat lows.
Furutech Rh - clean, precise with very little if only a tad analytical character.

Don't care for Oyaide so nothing here.

I'm playing with G/Rh combos now.  Interesting, but really splitting hairs.

D

[robertsong9]

I am in the sonic signatures of the metals camp, but that presupposes several things.

Can your system resolve the signatures
Can you resolve the signatures
Do you really care if it sounds really good the way it is?

I am also in the camp, FWIW, after switching from silver to gold spades on AQ Gibraltar speaker cables. I genuinely think there's a sonic difference and my preference is towards the gold spades. All binding posts are gold too, but I don't know if that has anything to do with it.  I have not experimented at all with different metals of power plugs or receptacles, however.

Any particular reason you prefer Furutech over Oayide?

[Folsom]

It's also unlikely the rest of your system is so resolved this is all you have left to do, in order to have fab results. It's like sprinkles on the icing.

[dBe]

It's also unlikely the rest of your system is so resolved this is all you have left to do, in order to have fab results. It's like sprinkles on the icing.

It takes a lot of time, both in the context of experience and empiricism to get a system to that point, for sure.  When it is "there" it is pretty cool 

[Folsom]

It takes a lot of time, both in the context of experience and empiricism to get a system to that point, for sure.  When it is "there" it is pretty cool 

Until someone lets you borrow a new piece of gear and destroys your world 

Actually, I've been trying to do that to a friend forever, but it's hard, his system is the best I've heard in this state easily.

[dBe]

Any particular reason you prefer Furutech over Oayide?

Several reasons.  First, I think the Furutech sounds a tad better.  YMMV.  Second, the mechanical build, fit and finish are superior IMO with Furutech.  I'll never forget when I took apart their most expensive receptacle using nothing but my fingers some years ago.   

[DaveC113]

I am in the sonic signatures of the metals camp, but that presupposes several things.

Can your system resolve the signatures
Can you resolve the signatures
Do you really care if it sounds really good the way it is?


IME:
TPEC - Somewhat grainy
Furutech Cu - honest, maybe too honest with a slight upper mids push
Furutech G - warm, round, golden detail with fat lows.
Furutech Rh - clean, precise with very little if only a tad analytical character.

Don't care for Oyaide so nothing here.

I'm playing with G/Rh combos now.  Interesting, but really splitting hairs.

D

I'd agree but it matters what the base metal is, Furutech uses phosphor bronze or copper...

For bronze connectors I think gold is the most neutral choice of platings, rhodium is a bit forward sounding but still good and the unplated FPX receptacles are a very good value, Furutech's bronze is a good sounding conductor that manages to not be grainy like most brass/bronze/copper alloys.

For pure copper I think rhodium is the way to go, especially combined with the carbon/stainless bodies. These connectors have a lot of detail and refinement. Gold over pure copper is warmer than gold over bronze, I think it is a little too warm.

I use gold/rhodium combos on many of my cables.

[bladesmith]

I don't think any of this matters in the grand scheme.  If everything else is "perfect" then OK but there is SO MUCH more to it (like room acoustics) before this that most people do not do.  I highly recommend you do those things before worrying about metals within your outlet and plug.

Couldn't agree more, I had a system in an older farm house, very poorly insulted, my system sounded very good (for whatever reason). Then I bought another farm and moved into it, my system went down hill, sounded terrible. but, I changed nothing in my audio equipment. It was simply a change in room acoustics. It was awful, I tried everything, but it just had very poor imaging, dept, etc, etc.

  I knew room acoustics were important, I just didn't believe it had SO MUCH importance, until I actually experienced it.

The Smith..

[Wig]

Guys,

I'm using a Maestro outlet with an all tube based system; Vac 160i Tube Integrated Amp (KT88) and of course Modwright Sony Tube 5400. Which outlet would you recommend?

Thanks,
Wig

[jtwrace]

Which outlet would you recommend?

Thanks,
Wig

The one installed already. 

[dBe]

Guys,

I'm using a Maestro outlet with an all tube based system; Vac 160i Tube Integrated Amp (KT88) and of course Modwright Sony Tube 5400. Which outlet would you recommend?

Thanks,
Wig

Tell us more.  What kind of speakers?  What types of music do you listen to?  What do you "value" the most in playback - impact, detail, lushness, neutrality (if that is even possible), acoustic music, R&R, jazz, Pop?  All of these things go into making a choice.  The most important question is:  If you could get more or less of something, what would that be?

[Wig]

I listen primarily to Classical, mostly Acoustical Guitar, Cello, Violin and some Jazz, love the Sax. My speakers are Acoustic Zen Crescendo's and I prefer something that's neutral if that's possible but I love imaging and sound-staging...

Thanks,
Wig

[DaveC113]

I'd go with Furutech GTX with rhodium plate, or FPX with gold plating or no plating. I prefer platings to keep corrosion out but the unplated FPX is a good value. AC connections make a pretty big difference.

[Wig]

Guys,

Thanks for the advice!

Wig