A Discussion

[Rolf]

Today I have had discussions regarding pro gear and home gear with two different people, having their opinions.

Like to share it with you, and hear your comments.

The reason was that I was going to buy a couple of XLR plugs for my new setup.

HI-FI guy said: "These gold plated XLR's make a sound difference"

Pro Guy said: These are the original XLR's that are used in all pro equipment".

Price? The pro was about 1/3 pf the Hi-Fi XLR's.

I bought the pro ones.

I am thinking: If the pro (plugs and cables) is used to produce a CD, is it possible that the more expensive gold XLR's ones can make the sound better in playback? ... In a home system?

As far as my mind can think, if the signals producing the CD is A, how can something else, more expensive in reproducing make it better?

Any ideas?

[Ian Mackenzie]

I think it would have more to do with long reliability of the contacts in un contolled environments

That said there are a lot of JUNK pro XL connectors out there that use a lot of JUNK Cables.

I mean a cheap set of 3 metres XL to XL cables might cost $22.00 while the best pair might cost $79.95

Its not something that I would loose much sleep over.

[Rolf]

I think it would have more to do with long reliability of the contacts in un contolled environments

That said there are a lot of JUNK pro XL connectors out there that use a lot of JUNK Cables.

I mean a cheap set of 3 metres XL to XL cables might cost $22.00 while the best pair might cost $79.95

Its not something that I would loose much sleep over.

Well Ian, the cables are the ones used in most studios today, as well as the connectors. I guess the total of a pair will be about US$ 20 pr meter. (3ft) I need 3m (about 9ft) per amp. That is US$ 60 per amp. You think the "high end audio cables" will do any better? Price about US$ 200 to ???

[louped garouv]

i tend to use pro connectors (usually made by switchcraft) as opposed to using Hi-Fi type (say, for example, the Eichman Bullet RCA) connectors...

[Mr. Widget]

Its not something that I would loose much sleep over. Yep.
i tend to use pro connectors (usually made by switchcraft)...I generally use Neutrik.

Rolf, I think you should buy whatever makes you happiest, since as long as the connection is solid and free of oxidation, they will all sound the same. ;)

Along those lines... instead of spending money on your cables, go through all of the connections with contact cleaner, you may have to work a little harder, but the pay off will be greater.


Widget

[Robh3606]

I use a decent amount of Pro XLR's in my active and biamp set-ups. I just go into Guitar Center and get Hosa or Mogami interconnects.

http://www.hosatech.com/catalog/catalog.php

They have all metal connectors, real strain relief and will be working long after I am gone.

I just look for well made stuff and I am not worried about anything else but reliability. I see Monster in there at 2-3 times the price with molded plastic connector bodies. Just makes me laugh.

Rob:)

[Titanium Dome]

Why did you capitalize monster? Is it someone's exclusive worldwide trademark and personal intellectual property to the exclusion of all others?

[jeenie67]

Well...It starts with a band or orchestra maybe plugged into whatever..Fender amps? with a 1/4" something or Neuman's with XLR's, just plain old standard XLR's( I've been in many major studios and worked as a consultant for Moog Synthesizers in Buffalo NY. The original company was six blocks from my house). Through all the recording gear...xeroxed, Polaroided, and copied.. then to print on a SACD, CD, or DVD. When it plays through your system, in which some are more highly sensitive to any insertion as to studio gear, does it make a difference? I think you would have to own designer, mega-buck, currently the adjectives are endless, and jeweled pots equipment to hear any appreciative difference. I made air dialectic interconnects from chemistry tubing, cat 5e wire 45'd, and a larger diameter clear neoprene tubing covering it all. Connectors were Neutriks, gold contacts just because they were a few cents more. My speaker cables are two pairs of 12 awg, solid copper house wire spun in an electric drill to 45 them too. Costs? $10 an interconnect and about $2 a side for my speakers. Time? About an hour for all. Check out <FullCompass.com> online for some really nice equipment and prices cheaper than Parts Direct. Jeenie.