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RE: RCA shorting plugs -- good tweak?

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Connectronix

In Reply to: RE: RCA shorting plugs -- good tweak? posted by greg7 on July 25, 2007 at 16:00:50

What about the new IsoClean All-Copper RCA Caps that Music Direct sells? They state that they are the best caps currently available. They have a center plug on them, so they maybe a shorting plug, whereas the Cardas is just a cap. The Iso-Cleans are $99.00 for a 10/Pack, the Cardas are $45.00 for a 12/Pack ($10.00 each vs. $3.75). Do you think they are worth three times the cost?

Are there different places to use a cap vs. a shorting plug?
Caps on inputs, shorting plugs on outputs or the opposite? Shorting plugs on all? The manufacturers of both just tell you to put them on all of your unused RCA jacks.

IsoClean also has AC Outlet Caps, 24Karat Gold plated copper ($80.00 for a 4/Pack, that's $20.00 a piece!). They say to use them on any unused outlets in your room, and the unused outlets on the back of your power conditioner. Has anyone tried these? I could see maybe using the on the unused outlet of your power conditioner since your power conditioner is usually right next to you equipment. What are your thoughts on these? I'd have to buy 2 4/Packs just to try them out.

Follow Ups:

You cannot use shorting plugs on outputs. I have not heard any improvement using shorting plugs over covers. - Norm 07:37:15 07/27/07 (2)
The IsoClean ac covers do work, especially on IsoClean filter boxes.
- IsoClean AC covers........... - kenster 16:08:27 07/27/07 (1)
  Hey Norm,
  
  Shed some thoughts and your experiences with the IsoClean AC covers if U would please.
  
  I posted a query on these about 5 months ago and the thread turned into a big negative debate :-(
  
  I use child safety caps with a GS Acoustic disc attached to the cap on my unused outlets that works very well at dampening/reducing AC line/outlet resonances but nothing for RF absorbsion/reduction.
  
  Cheers,
  
  ~kenster
  - I think they work but it is quite subtle. - Norm 05:51:11 08/01/07 (0)
    I retain only an IsoClean power strip and use all the outlet, but I have kept the four ac covers. Only the ground has a blade to hold them in place.
RE: RCA shorting plugs -- good tweak? - unclestu52 11:52:35 07/26/07 (5)
Shorting caps do not work well on preamps with multiple main outs and on tape outs. In these cases, amny of the outputs are paralleled and shorting them, naturally, also shorts out the outputs: no sound or greatly reduced volume.
Also in the case of some digital/video outs, the opamps driving them may not like to see a dead short, hence a resistive load is prefereable.

Stu
- I use the Iso Clean plugs... - clio09 12:09:04 07/26/07 (4)
  the center pin is removable for use on outputs. I use them on my TVC (with dual inputs and outputs) and digital combo. I've had no issues with them even though they are a bit more expensive than the Cardas caps and Tweak Shop shorting plugs which I also have.
  - RE: I use the Iso Clean plugs... - Connectronix 13:57:37 07/26/07 (3)
    Thanks, That's good to know. It sounds like the IsoClean Caps should be the way to go since they are dual purpose and the others aren't. This way you can use the same IsoClean Plugs on everything.
    
    Did you (or anyone else) notice any performance differences using the IsoCleans vs. the others?
    - RE: I use the Iso Clean plugs... - clio09 14:45:15 07/26/07 (2)
      I've always thought of the Cardas caps as dust covers and in no way did they do anything else for my system. The Tweak Shop shorting plugs work nicely when I want to test the noise level on my gear. Basically I short the inputs and with the amp turned on and speaker cables connected listen for noise at the speakers. My amps are dead quiet, no hum no hiss. The TVC is also dead quiet when connected to the amp via ICs and all spare inputs and outputs shorted. However, when connecting the DAC and transport I get varying degrees of noise, albeit when I have the volume control in a position greater then 3 o'clock and my ear next to the speaker. While the Tweak Shop shorting plugs did not reduce the noise, the Iso Clean shorting plugs did. I attribute this in part to their copper make-up.
      - RE: I use the Iso Clean plugs... - Connectronix 15:07:54 07/26/07 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I use the Iso Clean plugs... posted by clio09 on July 26, 2007 at 14:45:15
        
        Awesome, I'm glad they improved things for you. I think I'll the route of the IsoCleans.
        Used as caps only they look as though they give better coverage of the RCA ring than the Tweak Shop or the MCM Shorting Plugs that Bluelobster, above, has mentioned. They seem to be more heavy duty, made of copper, and better all around.
        
        By the way, what is the TVC you keep mentioning.
        
        The TVC is a custom built passive preamp... - clio09 17:08:02 07/26/07 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I use the Iso Clean plugs... posted by Connectronix on July 26, 2007 at 15:07:54
        
        using S&B TX 102 MkI attnuation transformers. The TVC was custom built for me by Kevin Carter at K&K Audio. It is a dual mono design with separate input and volume controls using Seiden switches. For the price, it is one of the best pieces of equipment I have ever bought.

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