Premier Rock Forum

Is this just 'audio bling', or does the gold really create a better connection with better sound?

I don't know the science of gold but it seems kind of random that one of the most precious metals is recommended for audio applications.

Gold won't tarnish and it's one of the best conductors of electricity. Silver is the best but oxidizes/tarnishes. So gold conducts well and won't change over time but is there a difference you can hear? I'm not sure, I've never A/B'd gold cables/connectors.

I know good cables in general can make a noticeable difference in sound quality but I have enough problems buying the gear I crave, I don't need fucking gold cables/connectors added to my already over budget list of things to buy.

Anybody ever A/B'd these things?

i think it mostly depends on the cable itself and then on the connectors.. a kickass cable even unbalanced might sound better than a medium quality gold connector balanced one (rarely)

losthighway wrote:Is this just 'audio bling', or does the gold really create a better connection with better sound?

I don't know the science of gold but it seems kind of random that one of the most precious metals is recommended for audio applications.

Gold-tipped connectors sound no different than an equivalent cable tipped with another conductive metal, as long as both sets of connects are not tarnished.

Its only advantage is that it doesn't tarnish.

The cable industry is 100% bullshit. Cable gauge and length is all that matters.

Amen, tmidgett. I can't in my wildest fantasies imagine how these hi-fi lunatics spend thousands of dollars on one set of cables. Surely the electrons don't care.

tmidgett wrote:The cable industry is 100% bullshit. Cable gauge and length is all that matters.

Well this is a subjective statement. I say "yes" and "no"...

No, gauge and length are NOT the only important factors. You must consider capacitance and resistance of both the cable and the connector.

Yes, most of the hype cable companies spew is in fact bull shit... but a good cable is a good cable and there is plenty of tests to show this.

Gold is good for connector termination for its resistance to corrosion but also it is a better conductor than the nickel plating often used.

BTW: Even silver oxide is a good conductor... Copper oxide is a dielectric while silver oxide is a conductor...

The only bad thing about gold (besides the cost) is it wears out fast due to how soft it is. If it's a constantly patched in and out connection I wouldn't use it.

There's a myth around town; Allen Sides claims he can hear the difference between a 29 foot mic cable and a 30 foot mic cable.

Any of you engineering studs think you can match them ear-holes?

otisroom wrote:Any of you engineering studs think you can match them ear-holes?

No. Sounds like that guy's talking bollocks unless he never said that of course.

I vote CRAP on gold connectors.
It won't oxydize as quickly as a neutrick XLR. So what? I often use 25-30 years old cannon / other brand XLR. Works flawlessly.
Well, I'm no Bob katz.
Maybe you'd find a use for them if you were to invest in a million dollars mastering facility. You are asking this question to an internet message board, so I doubt that.

I'll get those connectors when my multimillion board has arrived, my kids settled, my holidays paid, my album platined. When I can tune that stupid drum.