RCA Caps on unused inputs - worth it or not?

EndersShadow
EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
edited September 2013 in 2 Channel Audio
So I have been looking around to find some RCA caps to put on the unused inputs of my HK Citation Eleven. I am finding prices all over the place.

Besides keeping dust out, do the more expensive ones actually do anything else? I need a total of 16 for the HK to fill all the empty RCA sockets

Some examples:

Dayton RCA Jack Quiet Cap Covers 12 Pcs. - 6.25
AUDIO ADDITIVES RCA CAPS 1.66 (Each) - 20 bucks for 12
Cardas Signature RCA Caps - Package of 12 - 60 bucks
"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
Post edited by EndersShadow on
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited March 2013
    I have read that the RCA caps should keep EMI/RFI out of the component making for a cleaner signal. I have not used RCA caps so I cannot comment if this works or not, however.
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited March 2013
    Do the more expensive ones actually do anything else? yes, they do the dishes for you too lol.
    Sorry I had to let it go! Well. first they are all just caps they will do nothing else than just covering those RCA terminals. I would just leave them alone. Do not waste money like that, and if you really "need" to keep dust out of them...just cover them with electric tape. Beside NOBODY will look behind your amp.
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited March 2013
    headrott wrote: »
    I have read that the RCA caps should keep EMI/RFI out of the component making for a cleaner signal. I have not used RCA caps so I cannot comment if this works or not, however.

    Yeah, I read that as well. I wanted to get some just so it would look nice and hopefully actually make a cleaner signal. However given the huge price desparity between some of these options I wanted to make sure if its worth the extra cash for the Cardas ones to get em, and if not to go with the cheaper Daytons.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • DaveHo
    DaveHo Posts: 3,526
    edited March 2013
    Those caps simply short the input to ground. I fail see how the Cardas caps would make any difference especially since they are not in the direct signal path.

    Edit:

    Just read the description on the Cardas. Apparantly they do not short the input to ground. If not, then what the hell are they doing which would affect anything? Seems like snake oil to me.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited March 2013
    DaveHo wrote: »
    Those caps simply short the input to ground. I fail see how the Cardas caps would make any difference especially since they are not in the direct signal path.

    So assuming they are made the same, they do very little besides look pretty, keep dust out and short the input. Good to know. Time to order the cheaper ones :smile:.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,442
    edited March 2013
    Dan
    There is also some that are plastic that come in colors to match the input color that are cheap.
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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited March 2013
    They are unused inputs = No signal is coming in from them (unless you switch to them).
    All this is a gadget to steal money from you and wash your brain. Do not fall into it!

    PS: the best solution is to remove them from the back and they will not pick up any E.M.I/R.F.I or any U.F.O...lol
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited March 2013
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    Dan
    There is also some that are plastic that come in colors to match the input color that are cheap.

    Link?
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited March 2013
    lanchile wrote: »
    PS: the best solution is to remove them from the back and they will not pick up any E.M.I/R.F.I or any U.F.O...lol

    So you want me to tear into a 30 year old pre-amp to phsyically remove inputs I dont need now, but could need later? That sounds like a LOT more work than spending 15 bucks on some covers.... and kinda dumb IMHO.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited March 2013
    Ivan, NM, I decided to not be lazy and just google and found some (link for others). Thanks for the heads up.

    Plastic v. Metal doest matter does it?
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited March 2013
    lanchile wrote: »
    They are unused inputs = No signal is coming in from them (unless you switch to them).
    All this is a gadget to steal money from you and wash your brain. Do not fall into it!

    PS: the best solution is to remove them from the back and they will not pick up any E.M.I/R.F.I or any U.F.O...lol

    Have you experimented with placing end caps on your RCA inputs and listening for differences in the audio signal? Or, are you assuming that the end caps do nothing?
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited March 2013
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Ivan, NM, I decided to not be lazy and just google and found some. Thanks for the heads up.

    Plastic v. Metal doest matter does it?

    Plastic is non-conductuve, and the idea is to short stray RFI to ground. So, plastic is cosmetic, metal is functional.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

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    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited March 2013
    headrott wrote: »
    Have you experimented with placing end caps on your RCA inputs and listening for differences in the audio signal? Or, are you assuming that the end caps do nothing?
    I work fixing and build amps, testing them with oscilloscope (my boss place) and all this is crab!
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited March 2013
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    So you want me to tear into a 30 year old pre-amp to phsyically remove inputs I dont need now, but could need later? That sounds like a LOT more work than spending 15 bucks on some covers.... and kinda dumb IMHO.

    Lol, do you know the word "sarcasm" I guess you did not get it!. What I am trying to say is Do not fall into this. if you really must buy these caps to protect them from dust...Because that is the ONLY thing these thing do...just get the cheapest plastic ones.
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,442
    edited March 2013
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Plastic is non-conductuve, and the idea is to short stray RFI to ground. So, plastic is cosmetic, metal is functional.

    while the above is true in all my years i have never ever had any of those RFI/EMI problems they supposedly fix. 90% of inputs on any of my gear is never used and it just helps keep the oxidation off them for any future use. I normally have better use of my time than sit and clean inputs/outputs with Q-tips and Deoxit or WD40:eek: which also works. I have looked at both but have not made the leap...
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited March 2013
    these are the ones i use(analog). they keep out dust,short the plugs and look neat on my gear.
    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/tweaks-digital-and-analog-terminators-shorting-plugs-small-things-ofte-make-a-big-difference-2013-03-03-accessories-92307-apple-valley-ca
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited March 2013
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Plastic is non-conductuve, and the idea is to short stray RFI to ground. So, plastic is cosmetic, metal is functional.

    Plastic or metal all I see is cosmetic...even with an oscilloscope I can not see increasing or decreasing in Radio Frequency Interference. The metal ones will be very good when I have to check the DC offset in amps...just plug them in and the input are shorted then I can check and fix dc offset.
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • michael1947
    michael1947 Posts: 775
    edited March 2013
    Get the Daytons from PE..I think they will work and look well.
    Main Family Room: Sony 46 LCD, Sony Blue Ray, Sony DVD/VCR combo,Onkyo TXNR 708, Parasound 5250,
    Polk SDS-SRS with mods, CSI 5 center + Klipsch SC2, Polk RT2000P rears, Klipsch KG 1.5's sides, Polk Micro Pro 1000, Polk Micro Pro 2000, Polk SW505, Belkin PF60, Signal Cable Classics,Monster IC's, 2 15 amp circuits & 1 20 amp circuit.

    Living Room: Belkin PF60, Parasound HCA2200, MIT ProlineEXP balanced IC's,Emotiva XDA-1 DAC/Pre,Emotiva ERC2 transport,MIT AVT2, Polk LSI 9's.
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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited March 2013
    OK, I rest my case here. since most of you guys "know" and have "tested" and of course can hear the difference between metal and plastic RCA terminals connected into input terminals that are also "not in use". I will leave you with that wrong mentality.
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited March 2013
    lanchile wrote: »
    OK, I rest my case here. since most of you guys "know" and have "tested" and of course can hear the difference between metal and plastic RCA terminals connected into input terminals that are also "not in use". I will leave you with that wrong mentality.

    What do your measurements show about power cords? About interconnect cables? About speaker cables?
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited March 2013
    michael1947 wrote: »
    Get the Daytons from PE..I think they will work and look well.

    Yeah, I am probably going to order 2 sets. I believe the plastic part is a little bubble decal I can probably pull off so they are just silver with no logo. The plastic ones are probably fine as well, but there isnt a huge cost difference.

    Need to find some other stuff on Parts Express to order though as shipping on those is about the price of a set of them lol....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited March 2013
    BlueFox wrote: »
    What do your measurements show about power cords? About interconnect cables? About speaker cables?

    That is another subject! But, What I measured is: Resistance, Electro Magnetic Interference, Radio Frequency interference and impedance. also I have a toy at home called Wideband Powerline noise digital analyzer and I can check all power lines (noisy outlets) and build filters to suppress or clean ac lines.
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited March 2013
    Be careful as I've heard the Dayton Audio end caps don't always fit well on every application.
    Jake
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,442
    edited March 2013
    these what you are looking at Dan?

    http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=091-1090
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited March 2013
    I use the Cardas Signature caps. Do they do anything besides cover the unused RCA's? I don't know and I don't care.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited March 2013
    These shorting plugs are $0.69 from MCM, and can reduce noise in certain systems and environments. Do not use shorting plugs on outputs as you may damage components.

    http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/DISTRIBUTED-BY-MCM-ADC-0006-/27-5335

    3929358.jpg
    Jake
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited March 2013
    The shorting caps can absolutely reduce system noise. Not like, "Listen to the increased texture and depth!" but like, "Oh... that hiss I used to hear from 4 feet away is gone now". Will vary based on your system and the architecture of your pre, but doesn't hurt to try them out.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited March 2013
    F1nut wrote: »
    I use the Cardas Signature caps. Do they do anything besides cover the unused RCA's? I don't know and I don't care.

    Tell us how you really feel Jesse.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited March 2013
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    these what you are looking at Dan?

    http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=091-1090

    Yes, those are the ones.
    F1nut wrote: »
    I use the Cardas Signature caps. Do they do anything besides cover the unused RCA's? I don't know and I don't care.

    I can always count on you for the straight up truth with no BS :smile:
    zingo wrote: »
    These shorting plugs are $0.69 from MCM, and can reduce noise in certain systems and environments. Do not use shorting plugs on outputs as you may damage components.

    http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/DISTRIBUTED-BY-MCM-ADC-0006-/27-5335

    3929358.jpg

    So in looking at a picture of the back of my Citation 11 pre, I dont want to use it on Pre-Amp Output 2, Tape Output 1, or Tape Output 2 is what your saying correct?

    Attachment not found.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,442
    edited March 2013
    if it is just on the ground ring how does it affect anything on the outputs? I think i could understand if they actually had a rca type end that went into the output jack.
    could someone explain..
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