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Speaker cable and Interconnect BRASS Connectors

I have been thinking about speaker cables and interconnect connectors, in that cable manufacturers don't say what the connectors are made off. When you read the description of cables you are lead to believe that the cables the best thing there is since slice bread. Yes I do know that cables make a difference in your system but i don't understand why the connectors in most cases are made of BRASS. Don't you think Brass will cause a bottleneck in signal flow? if you consider what the best electrical conductors are you might agree:
1. Silver (pure)2. Copper (pure)3. Gold (pure)4. Aluminum5. Zinc6. Nickel7. Brass8. Bronze9. Iron10. Platinum11. Steel
Brass falls in 7th place; so why make the connectors out of Brass? I think we are paying $400 + for speaker and interconnect cables but not getting the full potential of these cables because of the Brass connectors. And don't tell me that the Brass connectors don't affect the signal negatively. You know about the difference that silver solder makes, then what about Brass? have you tested it against other connectors such as copper? I am curious to hear your thoughts.

almandog
almandog OP
144 posts
 
Not sure about what you are saying. But seeing that most connectors are made of brass, seems to me one can't tell the difference. I looked for copper connectors but hard to find. This topic is highly debatable. But to each his own. Just be satisfied with what you have. 
pindac's avatar
pindac
3,965 posts
 
Bearing in mind it is the RCA Connectors Inner Pin (+) that will be the most beneficial material to be made of Copper as part of the Connector.

With a Modern Design Concert, using the most up to date Designs for Copper Metal, there are Furutech, Zavfino and Aeco RCA Male Connectors.

For a Solid Silver (+) Pin there is Aeco, which I use at present on my most expensive Wires.
There are also Silver RCA's from Furutech, but I am not sure if these are utilising a Solid Silver (+) Pin.

Costs Vary across the above RCA Connectors, but unfortunately they are Rare and Branded Items.

Mapleshade produce their own Solid Copper RCA, I have been using these as well, with a M'shade Cable I own.
I have dismantled one RCA Connector and it is a very simplistic Design.

If uses a Outer Copper Tube/Housing with a ID to match the OD of the Female RCA.
It has a Copper (+) Pin with a OD to Match the ID of the Female RCA Centre Penetration.   
The Copper (+) Pin is Mounted Centrally into a Wooden Dowel and the Dowel is of the Diameter that offers a Snug Fitting within the Outer Copper Tube/Housing.
Ensure there is a short overhang of the Centre Pin from the rear of the Dowel, to serve as Tag to connect the (+) Wire.

If a person is familiar with producing their own Cables and have an understanding of a RCA's Construction and Function, the M'shade method will be easily understood, and the cost to produce a RCA will be seen as very affordable.           
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Wire construct MS or SC
OCC
OFC
Silver over either
Silver
Pure Tungsten stinger (SC)

Covers
Poly vinyl
Teflon
silicone
AIR

Terminals, nuts, bolts, washers
Copper
Red Copper
Silver over either
Gold over either
5n silver

NO
Rhodium (VERY harsh environment)
brass (ok when copper, silver or gold clad and tune the BASS a bit..)
steal
Stainless
tin
lead
nickel (though not bad)
gold (to expensive)
aluminum
More to discover