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Copper®Harmony RCA Plug - a new breed

I was contacted by KLE Innovations recently to review their entry level RCA connector (plug).

I have no idea why - Maybe due to a blog that I maintain?

Anyhow - I was a little skeptical that the Copper Harmony RCA Plug could significantly better my existing Silver Bullet RCA's, since they share (i.e. visually) very similar design principals.

So I set about planning a testing strategy based on about 30 tracks that, over the years, I have used for auditioning various audio components, who's purchase I was considering.

Well, I didn't even have to wait for the Copper Harmony RCA Plug to burn-in to realize they are something extremely special.

Anyhow - to cut to the chase - the Copper Harmony RCA Plug delivers an exceptional performance which improved upon details, dynamics, imaging, etc... of the Silver Bullet RCA's that I own.

Now, I have not compared the Copper Harmony RCA Plug directly to RCA's that conform to a more "conventional" RCA design, mainly because my Silver Bullet RCA's had already demonstrated their superiority.

So - the Copper®Harmony RCA Plug resolves to a very high level of performance and it is very very quick - perfect for just about any duty in the realm of audio - including their use on digital cables!

Because of their ability to allow the flow of extremely small "micro details" in an audio signal, I believe they would also be ideally suited for use on those turntables that employ a one piece wiring harness - especially when using moving coil cart's.

So if you are interested in the complete review please go to http://www.image99.net/blog/

If you would like more information from KLE Innovations then use the following

o Website – www.KLEinnovations.com (nearly ready)

o Email - [email protected]

Please note - I have no affiliation with KLE Innovations and was not paid to participate in the review.

I am just very impressed with what I consider to be a stellar product and feel it would be beneficial to share my experience with the members.

Regards...
williewonka
williewonka OP
3,068 posts
 
From what I understand - to guarantee true 75 ohm cables you should use
a BNC connector I believe.

I've used standard rca's without a problem on cable designated as
"digital" and they worked very well.

"The NAME" from Van den Hul is sold as an analogue
interconnect with standard rca's - but the say they can be used for digital -
I tried them also and they sound great.

Some sites I checked (diy audio and blue jeans cable) says there is no such
thing - but they could be mistaken :-)

Pasternack advertises a 75 ohm RCA

Then I saw a digital cable with an XLR connector - are XLR 75 ohm?

Can anyone else clarify this point please

Many thanks
pbnaudio's avatar
pbnaudio
1,610 posts
 
The impedance of a XLR Connector is 110 Ohms

Good Listening

Peter
williewonka OP
3,068 posts
 
I asked KLE Innovations

Could the Copper Harmony be used for Digital ICs (interconnects)?
Is impedance an issue? ·
Steve, the Copper®Harmony and Silver®Harmony will
both be excellent for Analogue and Digital cables - the Harmony plugs are
very linear even beyond 150 KHz and the their impedance will easily match
a 50ohm, 75ohm, or even a 110ohm cable.


Regards
bill_k
882 posts
 
From the review it appears that KLE has a nice sounding plug, but I find their response to Steve's inquiry about their impedance very puzzling to say the least. Regardless of their linearity at high frequencies, how can a single plug design "easily match" three different impedance values? A given plug has only one characteristic impedance.
williewonka OP
3,068 posts
 
Bill - since I'm no expert I cannot readily address your concerns. I have
however passed on your post to KLEI for comment.

From what I have read in various articles on the subject, there is an issue of
internal cable "reflections" that can arise in digital cable use,
when the impedance of the connector is lower than that of the cable. This
can degrade transmission.

KLEI did share the findings of one reviewer that specifically tried them on a
75ohm cable as a digital interconnect and found them superior to a very
good interconnect purpose built for digital applications.

One key design point of the Copper Harmony is their small neutral
conductor, which contributes greatly to their enhanced performance (at
least in analogue applications).

Perhaps this also is responsible for their very good performance as a
connector in digital applications, in that the small neutral pin may reduce
those internal reflections to levels that are no longer an issue, which might
make them well suited for use with 50, 75 and 110 ohm cables?

I will post their response as soon as I have it
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