do different rca connectors make difference in sound?

marvda1
marvda1 Posts: 4,901
edited February 2008 in 2 Channel Audio
let me pose a question. if you have five identical lengths of the same cable but terminate them with different connectors, say generic good quality rca's, vampire, cardas, wbt, and bullet plugs, will there be a noticable improvement(difference) in sound to justify the various levels of increase in price?
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
Post edited by marvda1 on
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Comments

  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited April 2007
    I've used bullet plugs and WBT's with Kimber Hero interconnects and the bullet plugs were better. I had to listen very critically to discern the differences, though.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited April 2007
    i just ran across this:
    http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/connectors/connectors.html
    any thoughts?
    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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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited April 2007
    I wouldn't fret over it. Some might be better than others (subjective) but It's not a big concern in my book. As long as the connection is tight & doesn't come loose, to me that's good enough.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,490
    edited April 2007
    marvda1 wrote: »
    i just ran across this:
    http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/connectors/connectors.html
    any thoughts?

    Using a Sony Playstation One as a reference audiophile CD player? That's a new one to me!
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  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited April 2007
    I found that odd as well, I respect 6moons a lot and love their reviews, but they do a lot of odd things.

    I like the bullet plugs a lot but they are to flimsy IMO. I have had issues with buzzing and humming in my system, and they all stem from the bullet plugs breaking. Given recently I have had a lot of changes in my system, so lots of unhooking and rehooking, but the only cables I have that have ever broken are ones with bullet plugs.

    Jared
    The Basement HT
    PC Rig
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  • Bill Ayotte
    Bill Ayotte Posts: 1,860
    edited April 2007
    Gaara wrote: »
    I found that odd as well, I respect 6moons a lot and love their reviews, but they do a lot of odd things.

    I like the bullet plugs a lot but they are to flimsy IMO. I have had issues with buzzing and humming in my system, and they all stem from the bullet plugs breaking. Given recently I have had a lot of changes in my system, so lots of unhooking and rehooking, but the only cables I have that have ever broken are ones with bullet plugs.

    Jared

    The "low mass" (read:PLASTIC) body has a lot to do with that....I have a set of bayonets on my home-brew cables and I broke every damn one of them taking them apart to solder them up...Thank god for super glue and heat shrink I guess....They were super easy to solder and sound great though, so I can't really complain......I personally think they are WAY overpriced though.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited April 2007
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    I wouldn't fret over it. Some might be better than others (subjective) but It's not a big concern in my book. As long as the connection is tight & doesn't come loose, to me that's good enough.

    I agree. If its gold plated, and fits nice and tight, easy to work with it is good in my book.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • fredv
    fredv Posts: 923
    edited April 2007
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    I wouldn't fret over it. Some might be better than others (subjective) but It's not a big concern in my book. As long as the connection is tight & doesn't come loose, to me that's good enough.

    Ditto.

    -fredv-
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited April 2007
    i sent the author of the comparison an email asking about the sony playstation.
    in his comparison the connector that won was less expensive than the bullet plugs.
    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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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited April 2007
    ben62670 wrote: »
    I agree. If its gold plated, and fits nice and tight, easy to work with it is good in my book.
    so does that make locking connectors the way to go?
    marvin
    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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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited April 2007
    here is the reviewer's reply to my inquiry about the playstation one.

    "Hi Marvin,

    The PS1 is an audio underground favorite. It's performance has exceeded the performance of digital front ends valued up to $8K here at my place. In fact I haven't heard anything that bests it yet. You have to get the SCPH-1001 model of the PS1, and as long as you keep it warmed up and never turn it off you'll get excellent performance.

    Best,

    Jeff"
    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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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited April 2007
    Bullet plugs just stink, locking RCA's are the bees knees. A cable is only as good as the termination.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited February 2008
    marvda1 wrote: »
    here is the reviewer's reply to my inquiry about the playstation one.

    "Hi Marvin,

    The PS1 is an audio underground favorite. It's performance has exceeded the performance of digital front ends valued up to $8K here at my place. In fact I haven't heard anything that bests it yet. You have to get the SCPH-1001 model of the PS1, and as long as you keep it warmed up and never turn it off you'll get excellent performance.

    Best,

    Jeff"

    So the Playstation One is actually a high-end CDP? If its true, it would be one of the greatest "hidden gems" in the audio world!
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
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    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Midnite Mick
    Midnite Mick Posts: 1,591
    edited February 2008
    I think the ends have as much effect if not more than the wire. I love the WBT Nexgens.

    Mike
    Modwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Consonance cd120T
    Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Usher CP 6311

    Phillips Pronto TS1000 Universal Remote
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited February 2008
    Locking RCA's can't be beat, IMO.
    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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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited February 2008
    I'll have to ask Bill.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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