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anyone upgrade their RCA connectors on Cardas RCA cables?

I just got a nice set of Cardas Iridium RCAs and I am liking what I am hearing.  I’ve been using Mogami 2549 wire for the past 15+ years, and the signal quality improved on many levels each time I upgraded to a better RCA connector in combination with the 2549 shot gunned terminated wire.  I finally ended up with a combination of KELI Copper Harmony RCA pairs and some Furutech 126g RCA pairs with the 2549 and used them with great results for many years.  Now that I’ve consolidated my main source and amp separates to a great sounding Atoll IN200 evo, I’ve ended up with some extra RCA cables with the above listed terminators.  Have people seen better results going to a higher quality RCA connector with Cardas wire?  I would most likely try swapping the the KELI Copper Harmony first from one of my 2549 extra pairs given it is all copper with a silver plate over it vs. the Cardas GRMO which is non-magnetic, eutectic brass, rhodium over silver plate and brass cover with gold plate.  TIA.

sbrownnw
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
6,496 posts
 

IMHO, the Cardas connectors are some of the best out there.

See no need to replace...

decooney
2,564 posts
 

Yes, with even higher grade Cardas connectors up the line. You send your ICs to Cardas indicating which of the higher grade connectors you want, and they will re-terminate them for you, and install the next level up. It’s not inexpensive to do.

I re-terminated a pair of original the original Golden Cross RCAs with the new connector and design with the new install method they do now. It was more clear.   

The way they terminate, silver-solder, -or- some are crimp-only (no solder) can also impact the sound in different ways. Here is the link to the different RCA Males. 
You can call them and ask, and they’ll likely ask why you want to do this, fyi.      

https://www.cardas.com/rca-males

westcoastaudiophile
819 posts
 

decooney, please elaborate “ways”.. also, any not biased data, such as blind test results, would be helpful! 

"The way they terminate, silver-solder, -or- some are crimp-only (no solder) can also impact the sound in different ways"

 

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,693 posts
 

Cold welded vs solder some cold weld processes utilize silver paste which might be unique to Audioquest 

the KLE connector are intentionally LOW mass

imo those banging the drum for blind listening tests / results should fist ask the manufacturer about product development process that might include that. Failing that, why not design a robust experimental test and run it… peer review published findings… 

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,693 posts
 

I was going to fix the spellcheck inserted fist, but decided it seemed more appropriate 

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