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Cleanliness next to godliness?

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Graham Slee View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Graham Slee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Aug 2016 at 7:32am
We once had a Solo returned because it wasn't working properly. We found metallic deposits all over the phono sockets - insulation too. These were semi-shorting the input - placing a faulty impedance of sorts across the incoming signal. We had to replace the entire phono block because it was impossible to clean the stuff off. After doing that the Solo returned to its normal performance. Therefore I agree that cleanliness is important for best results.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Fatmangolf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Aug 2016 at 7:40pm
Good maintenance tip is to unplug and replug all connectors every few months. Not while music is playing of course...
Jon

Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Fatmangolf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Aug 2016 at 7:45pm
...and please don't touch the connectors with your fingers as the grease is not good for hi-fi. My other bugbear is that gold, as used in most hi-fi connections, does not oxidise at normal atmospheric pressures and temperatures so it is probably airborne crud (household dust, dead skin and hair) you are cleaning off.

Jon

Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Richardl60 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Aug 2016 at 8:37pm
The sockets and plugs female and male may not both be gold depending on what is being plugged in/out eg mains sockets at both ends.

One further obs. When sometimes trying new hardware or cables and repeatedly plugging and unplugging the sound has appeared to 'go off'. This has happened on a number of devices and perhaps too often to be a coincidence? Once settled in I try not to unplug unless needed or o have my deoxit handy.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Graham Slee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Aug 2016 at 9:56pm
A lot of audiophile connectors are jewellery gold plated at over 20 c which is too soft and rubs off. Military quality is 9 c which is very hard wearing but doesn't do bling.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Richardl60 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Aug 2016 at 10:36pm
Interesting. Why is the higher k hold used I would have thought more expensive?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Graham Slee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Aug 2016 at 7:44am
Gold plating deposits a thin layer of gold onto the substrate which is a few microns thick. Different plating solutions exist for different reasons: 9c hard gold is an alloy of gold and copper intended for electrical contacts, but often you will find connectors advertising 24c which is highly unsuitable because of its softness.

The depth of plating is so thin that it doesn't cost much in gold. See http://www.goldleafsupplies.co.uk/acatalog/5-Leaf-Booklets-1.html for the price of a few sheets of gold leaf. The plating thickness is much less than the thickness of the gold leaf - and much smaller in surface area.

The price difference between plating solutions won't be great. Most of the cost is in the manufacturing process of the plating solutions and the cyanide salt from which it is deposited - gold won't plate from the usual electroplating solutions. I used to buy mine (9c) from Lea Ronal (Buxton), but was glad to be able to give it up because of the poisoning risk.


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