Gold or Nickel Contacts?

xqtion · 8th February 2007

Hi,

I'm trying to make some cables using Neutrik connectors and was wondering if using gold or nickel contacts makes any difference in sound quality.

This is going to be a critical signal path because I plan to use these cables to connect from Apogee Ensemble straight to my monitors.

I always used gold neutrik contacts just to be safe but this time my supplier only has nickel contacts.

Thanks!!

tINY · 8th February 2007

The only thing that the gold buys you is a little more corrosion resistance.

The contact resistance is a little lower, but it won't be an issue on line-level signals with 10k input impedances.....

-tINY

T_R_S · 8th February 2007

Metals should be matched with connectors to provide the best connection.

xqtion · 8th February 2007

PHP Code:

  Metals should be matched with connectors to provide the best connection.

Can you elaborate on this? I'm not sure I understand.

7 Hz · 8th February 2007

What he means is if the gear has gold connectors, then match them with gold plugs.

TBH I don't think it makes any difference, and I would certainly never worry about it. IMHO gold plated contacts are marketing hype to double the cost of the connector. You are paying for like a 2 atom layer of gold over nickel.

Also, try a search here, this has been discussed a few times.

xqtion · 8th February 2007

Ahh I see~ I understand now.

Thanks guys!!

O.F.F. · 8th February 2007

If you re-plug them regularly use standard Neutriks as they have silver pins and these wipe clean on plugging. If you leave them plugged in permanently use the gold pinned Neutriks. Or better still hard-wire it.

8th February 2007	#1
xqtion Gear addict Joined: Sep 2002 Location: Los Angeles , USA Posts: 333 Thread Starter	Gold or Nickel Contacts? Hi, I'm trying to make some cables using Neutrik connectors and was wondering if using gold or nickel contacts makes any difference in sound quality. This is going to be a critical signal path because I plan to use these cables to connect from Apogee Ensemble straight to my monitors. I always used gold neutrik contacts just to be safe but this time my supplier only has nickel contacts. Thanks!!

8th February 2007	#4
xqtion Gear addict Joined: Sep 2002 Location: Los Angeles , USA Posts: 333 Thread Starter	PHP Code: `Metals should be matched with connectors to provide the best connection.` Can you elaborate on this? I'm not sure I understand.

8th February 2007	#5
7 Hz Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,039	What he means is if the gear has gold connectors, then match them with gold plugs. TBH I don't think it makes any difference, and I would certainly never worry about it. IMHO gold plated contacts are marketing hype to double the cost of the connector. You are paying for like a 2 atom layer of gold over nickel. Also, try a search here, this has been discussed a few times. __________________ "You're going to AMPLIFY this crap?!?!?"

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8th February 2007	#2
tINY Gear Guru Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 10,234	The only thing that the gold buys you is a little more corrosion resistance. The contact resistance is a little lower, but it won't be an issue on line-level signals with 10k input impedances..... -tINY

8th February 2007	#3
T_R_S Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Canuk Posts: 5,278	Metals should be matched with connectors to provide the best connection.

8th February 2007	#7
O.F.F. Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,288	If you re-plug them regularly use standard Neutriks as they have silver pins and these wipe clean on plugging. If you leave them plugged in permanently use the gold pinned Neutriks. Or better still hard-wire it.