RCA shorting plugs - any reccies please?

[Gazjam]

Looking for the kind that shorts to ground, not just the dust caps.
Not needing snake oil Cardas type stuff, just the basic shorting plugs.

Could make my own, but can’t be faffed.
Thanks.

[Barry]

Why do you think you need them? Only the input selected is in circuit, everything else is disconnected.

[Gazjam]

I know,
Just cos I want ‘em :)

[Gazjam]

RF/EMI reasons,
familiar with all the theory stuff and always worked for the better with previous gear.

Every little helps.

[Barry]

If you are in a noisy RF environment the best solution would be to use metal caps to put on/over all unused RCA sockets, both input and output.

I have something like these in mind: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/354667805710?_ul=GB&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338945592&toolid=10001&customid=eb%3Ab%3Avms%3Aeb%3Ap%3A354667805710%3Bf7 d756d154261ac755433fde73893b32&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1hjWlaGISRiySPs1O3bfpoA0&loc_physical_ms=69201&loc_interest_ms=&msclkid=f7d756d154261ac755433fde73893b32&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMax%20UK&utm_term=2324230143340837&utm_content=AssetGroup_091624_134927

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/nOoAAOSwI2xbcoGT/s-l960.webp

[Macca]

I got a whole bag of those somewhere which I bought years ago for about three quid.

[Gazjam]

Thanks,
but looking for the kind that shorts the RCA socket, centre pin to ground?
Will only use on RCA inputs obviously!

Have a bunch of the Oyaide ferrite coated caps similar to the EBay ones already,
https://www.analogueseduction.net/rca-din-hdmi-connectors-adaptors-couplers-and-attenuators/oyaide-mwa-rc-rca-jack-caps-set-of-6.html?srsltid=AfmBOortLxvWjs1JRZQWY-zLDLPFXluaaFCYcsDaJ7FQpNDEaYhtKQ7f

looking for something different :)

[Barry]

If they are these:

https://www.analogueseduction.net/user/products/large/MWA-RC_005_540.jpg,

then I'm not surprised they are inefficient, being only a plastic dust cap with a ferrite disc on the end. What you need is a cap that is conductive,


However if you want to use shorting plugs, then there are these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125945998998?var=0&_ul=GB&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5339022012&toolid=10029&customid=402294831546913266&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=69201&gclid=3e4cc671457f1ca5ac98af7e3babfaf9

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Q0YAAOSwXmJidhYA/s-l1600.webp,

but you can only use these on the input sockets, not the output sockets.

[Firebottle]

Great suggestion Barry.

[Gazjam]

If they are these:

https://www.analogueseduction.net/user/products/large/MWA-RC_005_540.jpg,

then I'm not surprised they are inefficient, being only a plastic dust cap with a ferrite disc on the end. What you need is a cap that is conductive,


However if you want to use shorting plugs, then there are these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125945998998?var=0&_ul=GB&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5339022012&toolid=10029&customid=402294831546913266&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=69201&gclid=3e4cc671457f1ca5ac98af7e3babfaf9

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Q0YAAOSwXmJidhYA/s-l1600.webp,

but you can only use these on the input sockets, not the output sockets.

Perfect.
Exactly what I was looking for, thanks Barry.

These are the same ones that came with my Meridian 557 poweramp to short out the RCA inputs if using a balanced connection to the preamp.

Run balanced to my Holo Audio Serene KTE preamp, wanting to short the unused RCA inputs.
Every little helps.


Thanks again chaps.

[Gazjam]

Took a punt on Barry's suggestion of shorting caps and very happy I am too.

https://images2.imgbox.com/d0/b0/4VjGdEuL_o.jpg


Used on 3 rca inputs of my Serene preamp, 1 on the spdif inputs of the CD Transport and May dac, definitely a change for the better in sound.
Soundstage focus seems to have improved, good stuff.

With these kind you can unscrew the centre pin, so getting another set to use as Caps only anywhere theres RCA outputs.

Good stuff,
Its a really cheap tweak, and as Anthony Worrill Thompson said when he was caught knicking from Tesco...

Every little helps

[Barry]

Well done Gary! I hadn't realised that the centre pin could be removed when I suggested them. Thanks for pointing it out, as it makes them useful as blanking caps for unused output RCAs.

[Gazjam]

Yup!

Thanks for the link Barry, great work Sir.

[Gazjam]

Just a thought I had there…

Been listening to music last couple of hours now with the shorting plugs in, there’s an obvious improvement.
Took them out and listened to a few tracks to sanity check, yup, they absolutely improve things.

If seriously over engineered gear like the Holo Audio stuff still benefits, it’s definitely worth trying.
And it’s under a tenner for a set of 8.

[Barry]

What are the audible improvements? I'm curious.

[Gazjam]

Mainly in soundstage coherence and resolution?
This is consistent with reduced electrical noise, I’ve found, in all the dabbling I’ve done with this stuff.
Not night and day better or anything, but improvement definitely missed when the plugs are removed.

Just to finish the job, I’m going to get another set and remove the centre pins for any RCA outputs.
Who knows might be an improvement again, but I like the idea of any I/O not being used being blocked off, appeals to the nerd in me. :D