RCA caps

muncybob
muncybob Posts: 3,042
in 2 Channel Audio
Wasn't sure where to post this but I guess it's 2 channel related. At this time I have several pairs of RCA plugs unused on my preamp and figured maybe I should get some caps on them. Of course you can spend just a few bucks on 10 or twice as much for half as many. As long as they are snug fitting and made of metal is there really any appreciable difference between them?
Yep, my name really is Bob.
Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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Comments

  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited June 2015
    I have an NAD pre with many inputs, and I put cheap RCA plugs I had on hand in all the unused ones. I could hear an improvement in SQ: a bit better clarity. Supposedly the theory behind plugging them is to prevent stray EMI or RFI from entering through the inputs and contaminating the signal.
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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  • aprazer402
    aprazer402 Posts: 3,147
    I have not used these yet, but am also interested. I have read that you should use a shorting cap, with a center post on RCA inputs, but only caps, without center posts, on RCA outputs. Hope someone else replies as there may be others interested. Thanks.
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    edited June 2015
    My RCA Caps are from Vincent like my Preamp & amplifier, are they better ? I can't really tell yet :p

    but they look good ;)
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,554
    I use the Cardas Signature version on my 2 channel rigs. Although I can't say I heard a difference, they do no harm and protect the jacks from dust and oxidation.

    The really cheap ones at Audio Advisor or Parts Express (can't remember which) are plastic, not metal. There's an audio business on Audiogon that is selling some metal ones they had made for a really good price, $60.00 for 50 caps. I'll probably get some of those for my AVR.
    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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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,375
    My old Denon DRA-835 came with shorting plugs for the unused RCA inputs as did a Pioneer Elite amp that I had. The did make a difference in reducing the background noise.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,042
    I have yet to see the shorting type. Here are some basically $1/ea:
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K1VTL0I?colid=2YJZ3UC2IHQC3&coliid=I1UXHI2M7D1E8N&psc=1&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • aprazer402
    aprazer402 Posts: 3,147
    Here's an AK discussion link on caps and shorting plugs. I would like a more definitive answer also. Why risk using the input shorting plugs if the caps will reduce possible floor noise as well. http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=513861
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  • Speedskater
    Speedskater Posts: 495
    Nether covers nor shorting plugs at the inputs will accomplish anything!
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    Speedskater wrote: »
    Nether covers nor shorting plugs at the inputs will accomplish anything!

    but they look good :) no reason I see not to use them B)
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,117
    Speedskater wrote: »
    Nether covers nor shorting plugs at the inputs will accomplish anything!

    Yes they will.... Take money from you.
    Pio Elete Pro 520
    Panamax 5400-EX
    Sunfire TGP 5
    Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
    PS Audio GCPH phono pre
    Sunfire CG 200 X 5
    Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
    OPPO BDP-83 SE
    SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
    Ctr CS1000p
    Sur - FX1000 x 4
    SUB - SVS PB2-Plus

    Workkout room:
    Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
    Onkyo TX-DS898
    GFA 555
    Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
    Ft - SDA 1C

    Not being used:
    RTi 38's -4
    RT55i's - 2
    RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
    LSI 15's
    CSi40
    PSW 404
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  • Speedskater
    Speedskater Posts: 495
    I stand corrected:
    a] Caps will do something...keep dust off and out of the connectors...that's something.
    b] they look good no reason I see not to use them
    c] Yes they will.... Take money from you.
    All of the above are true.
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,042
    I'm not expecting any change in sound but would welcome any perceived improvement. For the small investment I need to make, keeping the jacks clean is worthwhile to me.
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,554
    d] You'll get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing they are back there. B)
    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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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    here are the ones i use.
    http://highend-electronics.com/products/highend-electronics-analog-terminator-shorties
    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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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,285
    F1nut wrote: »
    d] You'll get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing they are back there. B)


    That's what I told the wife... That didn't work

    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,375
    edited July 2015
    Perhaps it depends on the equipment. The Pioneer Elite M91 had noticeably less background noise when the plugs were in the unused jacks. The Denon too but not as much difference. It would seem that the manufacturers included the things for good reason.

    This is a little different but my Parasound pre-amp has background noise if nothing is connected to any of the inputs. This drove me nuts troubleshooting. Then I connected a CD player and the noise went away no matter what input was selected.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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