I use them but don't hear any difference soundwise. They can do no harm and shorting plugs can cause problems with inputs. The real reason I use them is so I can find a desired input by feel. I cap the ones I never use.
Shorting or Capping... When, Where and Why?
All of my years of playing with this stuff and I still find this subject intriguing. Probably because I still have not yet come to a positive determination. Although I do still carefully analyze "snake oil" claims. I'm beginning to wonder if this falls into this aforementioned "snake oil" category.
I searched the Agon' archives and couldn't find that much on the subject either.
Cardas caps vs. shorting plugs. Are there actual mechanical differences between both methods in terms of effectiveness? Both methods actually use two different approaches.
Cardas claims that their caps suppress EMI/RFI. How?
The most prolific source of EMI/RFI requiring elimination is not at the line level, but most often in the AC power supplying the system. Then of course we need to consider interconnection.
Are they (Cardas) addressing the RFI/EMI affecting the RCAs from the exterior?
Could that be considered somewhat absurd?
Every audio system will react differently according to the amount of EMI/RFI that it generates internally. Benefits from the elimination of this EMI/RFI contamination generated within the System, by the equipment itself, can potentially take an audio system to an entirely new level of transparency. Ultimately, revealing detailing that was once obfuscated by the the effects of equipment generated EMI/RFI contamination.
How do Cardas caps effectively suppress those forms of contamination?
Years ago, many of the higher end manufacturers provided a bag of RCA shorting plugs to be utilized on the unused RCA connectors. Shorting plugs are in a completely different league than an "RCA cap". Obviously, shorting an output could lead to some unwanted repairs however, is this process more effective on the low level input connectors?
Is this a more effective procedure than merely capping?
What are the differences?
Addressing the most prolific and sonically destructive source of EMI/RFI with by far the greatest potential for negatively affecting the sound quality of an audio system (IMO) goes beyond capping the RCAs. The EMI/RFI hash being produced by any digital front end in itself is the worst offender. Due to the nature of the AC current being sent back into the AC Power delivery system where it can contaminate and compromise the rest of the system.
I would have to wonder if in those particular cases, if shorting vs. capping would become more effective?
I searched the Agon' archives and couldn't find that much on the subject either.
Cardas caps vs. shorting plugs. Are there actual mechanical differences between both methods in terms of effectiveness? Both methods actually use two different approaches.
Cardas claims that their caps suppress EMI/RFI. How?
The most prolific source of EMI/RFI requiring elimination is not at the line level, but most often in the AC power supplying the system. Then of course we need to consider interconnection.
Are they (Cardas) addressing the RFI/EMI affecting the RCAs from the exterior?
Could that be considered somewhat absurd?
Every audio system will react differently according to the amount of EMI/RFI that it generates internally. Benefits from the elimination of this EMI/RFI contamination generated within the System, by the equipment itself, can potentially take an audio system to an entirely new level of transparency. Ultimately, revealing detailing that was once obfuscated by the the effects of equipment generated EMI/RFI contamination.
How do Cardas caps effectively suppress those forms of contamination?
Years ago, many of the higher end manufacturers provided a bag of RCA shorting plugs to be utilized on the unused RCA connectors. Shorting plugs are in a completely different league than an "RCA cap". Obviously, shorting an output could lead to some unwanted repairs however, is this process more effective on the low level input connectors?
Is this a more effective procedure than merely capping?
What are the differences?
Addressing the most prolific and sonically destructive source of EMI/RFI with by far the greatest potential for negatively affecting the sound quality of an audio system (IMO) goes beyond capping the RCAs. The EMI/RFI hash being produced by any digital front end in itself is the worst offender. Due to the nature of the AC current being sent back into the AC Power delivery system where it can contaminate and compromise the rest of the system.
I would have to wonder if in those particular cases, if shorting vs. capping would become more effective?