Dust Covers for unused ports

EndersShadow
EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
edited January 2022 in The Clubhouse
First I’d like to thank @Rick88 for sending me down the rabbit hole of covering unused ports :smile:.

Since purchasing some of those Red and White RCA silicone dust covers from him I’ve continued to buy covers for used ports to either try and reduce noise, or just keep them from getting filled with dust.

For my more important gear I bought these RCA covers, as well as these balanced in and balanced out covers.

For my cheaper stuff I still use Ricks covers.

Main reason for this post was to point out some additional covers I stumbled across.

Adafruit sells covers for USB A, also USB C (not linked), Ethernet and HDMI ports. They are stupid cheap so stock up and go wild.

I bought a few packs of each and they work well and blend in nicely.
"....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)
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,059
    Im am counting my unused RCA jacks already to order me some....looks like 28. Thanks!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,732
    edited January 2022
    On the hunt for diamond encrusted and cryo treated, quantum charged
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    Im am counting my unused RCA jacks already to order me some....looks like 28. Thanks!

    FWIW I was told these are the Cardas ones just without the branding of course 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)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,554
    VR3 wrote: »
    On the hunt for diamond encrusted and cryo treated, quantum charged

    Of course you are.....
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • oldrocker
    oldrocker Posts: 2,590
    Tks, need me some of those..
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 8,772
    I've got a good sized baggie of the silicone red and whites that I got from Rick as well. Never got around to using them. Free karma to anyone that wants them.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hermitism
    Hermitism Posts: 4,271
    ken brydson wrote: »
    I've got a good sized baggie of the silicone red and whites that I got from Rick as well. Never got around to using them. Free karma to anyone that wants them.

    I'll take them if you let me pay shipping.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 8,772
    Hermitism wrote: »
    ken brydson wrote: »
    I've got a good sized baggie of the silicone red and whites that I got from Rick as well. Never got around to using them. Free karma to anyone that wants them.

    I'll take them if you let me pay shipping.

    PM me your info. Shipping should only be a couple bucks, not worried about that.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • stevep
    stevep Posts: 335
    So what should you use, RCA condoms or shorting plugs? I'd assume shorting plugs on inputs.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,645
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    Im am counting my unused RCA jacks already to order me some....looks like 28. Thanks!

    FWIW I was told these are the Cardas ones just without the branding of course lol…

    Those are most definitely not Cardas.
    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

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,300
    F1nut wrote: »
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    Im am counting my unused RCA jacks already to order me some....looks like 28. Thanks!

    FWIW I was told these are the Cardas ones just without the branding of course lol…

    Those are most definitely not Cardas.

    xb6i1kmsc98j.png
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    @F1nut …. They look remarkable close….. but I’m not going to do a ton of research to verify one way or the other lol…

    They work and do what they are supposed to so I got no complaints.

    The XLRs are also quite nice and heavy.
    "....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)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,059
    The Cardas ones are 5 bucks a pop on Amazon. Plus I found a guy on the Emotiva forum that will cryo treat them for only an additional 5 bucks a pop. Darnitt.....wonder if I can return my Ebay ones!?!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    The Cardas ones are 5 bucks a pop on Amazon. Plus I found a guy on the Emotiva forum that will cryo treat them for only an additional 5 bucks a pop. Darnitt.....wonder if I can return my Ebay ones!?!

    Link to Amazon Cardas ones 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)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,300
    https://www.amazon.com/Stopper-Protective-protects-unwanted-interference/dp/B00UXS470S

    https://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-RCA-Noise-Stopper-Caps-pack/dp/B00447ZOCE/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=B00447ZOCE&psc=1

    These are only $14 each

    https://www.musicdirect.com/accessories/isoclean-rca-caps-set-of-10?gclid=CjwKCAiArOqOBhBmEiwAsgeLmXLWDF7gpzXHvDheQ_ZM_EOSH5L8ipsnARsBjl2Vq89gc-_kDWIsAhoC_I8QAvD_BwE
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hermitism
    Hermitism Posts: 4,271
    Yes, but my covers will have provenance because they were owned by the great Ken Brydson and Rick88.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    @txcoastal1 thise Cardas show as 19.90 + 4.67 shipping…

    I’m trying to find the 5.00 ones @kevhead72 is talking about 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)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,300
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    @txcoastal1 thise Cardas show as 19.90 + 4.67 shipping…

    I’m trying to find the 5.00 ones @kevhead72 is talking about lol…

    If you divide by 4 = $5... B)
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,645
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    @F1nut …. They look remarkable close….. but I’m not going to do a ton of research to verify one way or the other lol…

    They work and do what they are supposed to so I got no complaints.

    The XLRs are also quite nice and heavy.

    They are similar in design, but not in construction. The ones in your link are an Apollo AV in house design.
    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

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,296
    edited January 2022
    But is a Cardas @ $5ea. Going to be any better than the Apollo @ $0.80ea ? I don’t really know what the material or construction difference is between the two.

    Edit:
    Apollo is Teflon Nickel Plated..

    Cardas is Billet Brass Nickel Plated..

    So the Cardas would be better built, and definitely feel hefty compared to the Apollo. So the question really is, is there a performance difference or are they just a dust cap??

    Here is a 50pk of Apollo AV for $40

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/400813863894
    Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

    SVS SB16 X2

    Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
    Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
    Cary DMS 800PV Network
    OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
    VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
    Jolida JD9 Fully Modified

    VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM

    MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,894
    Nickel plated Teflon...?!?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,296
    edited January 2022
    Here is what I found,

    So it is Nickel Plated Brass as well with Teflon Insulation PTFE..

    Body - nickel plated brass
    Insulation - PTFE (Teflon) for superior noise rejection
    ROHS compliant - yes
    Made in Taiwan

    I went off the description in the ad, my bad.. 😃

    So it makes the price of the Apollo’s look a lot better..
    Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

    SVS SB16 X2

    Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
    Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
    Cary DMS 800PV Network
    OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
    VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
    Jolida JD9 Fully Modified

    VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM

    MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,894
    ahh, Teflon insulation :) That's cool.

    FWIW, while all of these these plugs are nice, in the absence of an electrical connection with the center ("hot") conductor, I don't see how they help with any sort of RFI or other electrical noise rejection. Shorting plugs would, but any of them that are just caps shouldn't short an "RCA" style jack, by design (of the jack).

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,554
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    The Cardas ones are 5 bucks a pop on Amazon. Plus I found a guy on the Emotiva forum that will cryo treat them for only an additional 5 bucks a pop. Darnitt.....wonder if I can return my Ebay ones!?!

    Lmao cryo treated ......
    Yea buddy omg still lmao 🤣😂🤣😂

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,645
    edited January 2022
    But is a Cardas @ $5ea. Going to be any better than the Apollo @ $0.80ea ? I don’t really know what the material or construction difference is between the two.

    I bought a bunch of Cardas caps a long time ago. They were more like a buck, maybe two each. The Apollo caps weren't available back then.

    I would say they are similar materials and do the same thing.
    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

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    Toolfan66 wrote: »
    Here is a 50pk of Apollo AV for $40

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/400813863894
    That’s actually what I bought. Need to buy some more as I ran out.

    Wish they had larger sets of the XLRs
    "....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)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mrbigbluelight
    mrbigbluelight Posts: 9,786
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    The Cardas ones are 5 bucks a pop on Amazon. Plus I found a guy on the Emotiva forum that will cryo treat them for only an additional 5 bucks a pop. Darnitt.....wonder if I can return my Ebay ones!?!

    Lmao cryo treated ......
    Yea buddy omg still lmao 🤣😂🤣😂

    If I'm not mistaken, if you send those caps to F1 he will for an additional $5 give it the Royal Dingus treatment (pat.pending)
    Sal Palooza
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,296
    edited January 2022
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Toolfan66 wrote: »
    Here is a 50pk of Apollo AV for $40

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/400813863894
    That’s actually what I bought. Need to buy some more as I ran out.

    Wish they had larger sets of the XLRs

    I picked some up for the hell of it, I agree on the XLR's..

    I wonder how many they sold in the last couple days because of this thread. LOL!!
    Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

    SVS SB16 X2

    Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
    Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
    Cary DMS 800PV Network
    OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
    VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
    Jolida JD9 Fully Modified

    VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM

    MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,124
    edited January 2022
    I got the ones I got from Rick on my Vincent preamp for keeping the dust out, however those Apollo ones for the price might be worth checking out or maybe splurge for the Cardas ones. I also question how they would help with electrical noise, wouldn't even be able to look and admire them when the equipment is in a rack.

    I would like to hear how they are an improvement if any, whether they are dingus modified or non dingus modified. Those who try them please post the results.
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,296
    Mine are being drop shipped to Jesse, to be cryo dingus treated before installing…
    Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

    SVS SB16 X2

    Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
    Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
    Cary DMS 800PV Network
    OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
    VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
    Jolida JD9 Fully Modified

    VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM

    MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter