Shorties - another cheap upgrade ?

[MikeMusic]

The VIDA Phone Pre Amp comes with a couple of RCA plugs for the input not being used

Which makes me think about Russ Andrews and his 'shorties' - the plugs he suggests we put into Pre Amp inputs not being used.

Anyone played with these and have some findings ?

[Kember]

Mike

I've used them and I can't claim that they have made much, if any difference, but they can't do any harm. I suppose they keep the dust out, if nothing else:).

Peter

[MikeMusic]

Not ever seen them mentioned around here so did wonder

from RA site

Did you know that the unused interconnect input sockets on your amplifier act can as aerials for interference, polluting the circuit? In our view, the cure is simple!

Plug our Noise Reducing Shorties into your unused inputs (do not connect them to the outputs). Our tests have shown that you can get a clearer, smoother and more natural sound.

And here’s a free tip: Unless you are recording, you get a better sound if you have NOTHING connected to the ‘record out’ sockets.

[istari_knight]

I've got extremely subtle improvements in the past using "shorties" on old amplifiers that have mechanical rotary switches for input selection but on most modern amps with relay switching its pointless as unused inputs are isolated anyway.

[Kember]

Not ever seen them mentioned around here so did wonder

from RA site

Did you know that the unused interconnect input sockets on your amplifier act can as aerials for interference, polluting the circuit? In our view, the cure is simple!

Plug our Noise Reducing Shorties into your unused inputs (do not connect them to the outputs). Our tests have shown that you can get a clearer, smoother and more natural sound.

And here’s a free tip: Unless you are recording, you get a better sound if you have NOTHING connected to the ‘record out’ sockets.

Mike,

:sofa:We are in danger of provoking a woo/not woo debate regarding RA if we are not careful!

They come up for pence on eBay from time to time - can't hurt to try!

P

[Macca]

They have been mentioned here a few times - you can buy a whole bag full of them from Taiwan for a couple of quid. I have not found any difference to the sound but they are handy for blocking up unused inputs so you don't plug into them by mistake when swapping cables about around at the back of a rack in poor lighting conditions.

[NRG]

I've used 'em and like others not found any improvement...they do keep the muck out of unused inputs though!

[keiths]

I made a load of these a few years ago.

http://www.simister.com/public/splug.jpg

The difference they make to the sound quality is like night and day*.

*As observed from the bottom of a very deep cave.

[RobbieGong]

'They' know us so called audiophiles will do and try almost anything in pursuit of audio nivana :lol:

[Wakefield Turntables]

FFS.....I'm getting my coat......

[MikeMusic]

they are handy for blocking up unused inputs so you don't plug into them by mistake when swapping cables about around at the back of a rack in poor lighting conditions.

Now that is a good idea !
Obvious now you mention it
I can see bugger all around the back of my amp when I'm changing around

[Chops]

See also this thread http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?16257-Audioquest-noise-stoppers from a while ago.

fwiw, I bought some RCA and XLR caps from Vintage Audio Lab on the bay but they don't seem to list now. I put them everywhere I could :eek: and I reckon it cleaned things up a small but noticeable amount as well as keeping dust out of the sockets. For the low cost, I wouldn't hesitate in buying more.

Chris

[MikeMusic]

See also this thread http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?16257-Audioquest-noise-stoppers from a while ago.

fwiw, I bought some RCA and XLR caps from Vintage Audio Lab on the bay but they don't seem to list now. I put them everywhere I could :eek: and I reckon it cleaned things up a small but noticeable amount as well as keeping dust out of the sockets. For the low cost, I wouldn't hesitate in buying more.

Chris

Thanks Chris, very useful
Wonder how many useful threads there are from before my time .......

[potatoha]

I would have thought those shorting plugs would provide no benefit for your XP-20 pre as it has relayed input which does the same or better job than the shorties?

[Joe]

Thanks Chris, very useful
Wonder how many useful threads there are from before my time .......

There was a big bust-up in the early days when some clown tried to argue that shellac records would never replace wax cylinders.

[choirboy]

I have some cheap ones (not Russ Andrews) in my system. Have to say I didn't really notice any difference sonically but like everyone says they keep out dust at least.

[MikeMusic]

I would have thought those shorting plugs would provide no benefit for your XP-20 pre as it has relayed input which does the same or better job than the shorties?
No idea, me no techie, but that could be

[MikeMusic]

I have some cheap ones (not Russ Andrews) in my system. Have to say I didn't really notice any difference sonically but like everyone says they keep out dust at least.

Apart from those that say they work the big plus for me would be blocking the inputs I can't see - and don't want to accidentally plug into
Cheap enough to try
I need to count up me inputs

[Barry]

I made a load of these a few years ago.

http://www.simister.com/public/splug.jpg

The difference they make to the sound quality is like night and day*.

*As observed from the bottom of a very deep cave.

Keith, did you find using a low value shunt resistor was better than a direct short. I can't make out the colours, so what value resistor have you used?




I have seen RCA phono socket "dust caps" advertised for sale on ebay. These simply cover the socket, without shorting out the input. Has anybody tried these and are the results obtained different to that using shorting plugs?

For what it's worth, I believe that unless you live near a high power transmitter or relay mast, or live near an airport with an air traffic control radar, the only benefit in using shorting plugs is to keep dust out and to blank off unused inputs. As others have commented, they are cheap and do no harm.

[istari_knight]

I recall reading an article a few years ago... May have been on Decibel Dungeon ? Anyway, the author was showing how to put together "shorties" for unused coax outputs on CD/DVD players & these used a 75R resistor.

FWIW I've got some "shorties" here that came with Denon & NAD amplifiers from the factory and they are all the direct short variety.

[keiths]

Keith, did you find using a low value shunt resistor was better than a direct short. I can't make out the colours, so what value resistor have you used?

Barry, I too can't make out the colours, but my (probably very inaccurate) multimeter says its 470 ohm. The use of a resistor was strongly recommended to me (though I can't remember by whom) - I guess as a precaution in case of inadvertently plugging into an output?

[Chops]

I have seen RCA phono socket "dust caps" advertised for sale on ebay. These simply cover the socket, without shorting out the input. Has anybody tried these and are the results obtained different to that using shorting plugs?

They're the type I use. See here http://stores.ebay.com/Vintage-Audio-Lab/_i.html?_nkw=Noise+stopper&submit=Search&_sid=314713499.

As mentioned above, thought they made a small but tangible difference for the better. Just a little bit more clarity. Put them on the DAC, pre and power ....

[MikeMusic]

They're the type I use. See here http://stores.ebay.com/Vintage-Audio-Lab/_i.html?_nkw=Noise+stopper&submit=Search&_sid=314713499.

As mentioned above, thought they made a small but tangible difference for the better. Just a little bit more clarity. Put them on the DAC, pre and power ....
Which one are you using ?
11 shown

[istari_knight]

The "binding post noise stoppers" are comedy gold.

[PaulStewart]

Hmm! All the inputs on my pre amp are full except Aux 2 and if i do want to plug in anything extra do I want any shorties in the way :scratch: Ahh! Problem solved for the moment, i've plugged the Firebottle phonostage into Aux 2 :lol: