RCA socket upgrade advise

sl-15 · 950

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Offline sl-15

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on: March 01, 2019, 04:36:17 PM
I build my Foreplay3 in 2008 and eventually installed the extended upgrade. I am still enjoying it a lot and use it every day. It is time to replace all of my RCA sockets as they are pretty worn out. I do not want to spend too much money eyeballing something from Vampire or Cardas in the $20 per set range but I am wondering if the Rean/Neutric stuff that is much cheaper will be doing just fine. What are people using/recommending? Input appreciated. Thanks!
« Last Edit: March 02, 2019, 06:00:29 AM by sl-15 »

Stefan Hampel
Soundsmith Carmen, modded Technics SL-1200mkII, Thorens TD 125 mk2 with SME V, Eros, Extended Foreplay III, BeePre2, Crack, Pioneer Spec 4, Sonus Faber Electa


Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #1 on: March 01, 2019, 05:08:22 PM
The Neutrik jacks are what we use now and they work great.  You'll want to buy a 10mm drill bit for a fair number of the jacks that are available these days.

For the kind of money you are prepared to spend, these jacks are solid copper with gold plating.  You'll want to snag the special tool for tightening them if you go with these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/HIFI-CMC-805-2-5F-G-RCA-socket-pure-copper-plating-gold-signal-lotus-mother/272730467639?hash=item3f8000ad37:g:JEEAAOSwwzhZS9nx:rk:1:pf:0

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


Offline sl-15

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Reply #2 on: March 02, 2019, 10:20:46 AM
Thanks Paul. That is a good alternative.
I guess the debate about brass and copper connectors and gold and silver plating etc. is endless but I was always curious about solid copper connectors . I wonder what happens when the gold plating wears off if you switch cables a lot...
That special tool is hard to find but one seller on eBay has them and people complained that it breaks off to easily. I guess you can tighten them without it.

Does anybody here has some experience with all copper connectors?

Stefan Hampel
Soundsmith Carmen, modded Technics SL-1200mkII, Thorens TD 125 mk2 with SME V, Eros, Extended Foreplay III, BeePre2, Crack, Pioneer Spec 4, Sonus Faber Electa


Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #3 on: March 02, 2019, 10:43:10 AM
I wonder what happens when the gold plating wears off
The same thing that will happen to any other connector.

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man