Could this be a 'giant-killing' tonearm cable?

[DSJR]

Has anyone tried any of the DNM interconnects, with the cheapest plastic bodied phono plugs available I remember? Surely, if these plugs were so bad, they'd have ruined the fine performance the DNM gear could achieve?

[YNWaN]

Well, the DNM cables are an entirely unshielded design in the first place.

I really rather liked the DNM pre-amps I came across - but always felt the cables were bloody awful .

[Marco]

Hi Mark,

You know, if one really wanted the connector to be shielded, a copper tube that is electrically connected to the cable shield, or by flying lead to the pre-amp earth, would be very much more effective. I seem to recal reading about someone trying precisely this - can't remember where now - I seem to remember they were keen on the results though.

That seems to make sense, and if done properly, I can't see why it shouldn't work, and also be sonically beneficial.

Looking at the WBT connectors, they have moved away from using metal in their plugs and the majority of the internal structure is now plastic on their premium designs.

Indeed, and for very good reason. As such, the 0110 (ag or cu), plastic internal construction variety, perform to a higher and easily discernible sonic standard, than the 0102 (ag or cu), metal internal construction variety. I suspect that this is due primarily to the influence and/or absence of eddy currents.

As such, I now find that any plugs which have a high amount of metal in their overall construction sound notably inferior.

However, what's most interesting to me is why, to my ears, either the polymer or aluminium versions of the silver Eichmanns sound significantly superior to the WBT 0110ag, used on the same Mark Grant (G2000HD) interconnect cables - honestly the difference isn't subtle!

The WBTs and (aluminium) Eichmanns share the same shell material and absence of any conductive metals, yet sonically, perform rather differently. There must be something fairly significant going on with the way that the Eichmanns are wired/constructed, which is causing such a marked improvement in performance...

Any ideas as to what's going on?

I should add that this appears only to be the case in analogue applications. In digital ones (such as on digital coaxial cables), the opposite is true, where the WBT 0110ags, to my ears, are superior.

Marco.

[StanleyB]

As such, I now find that any plugs which have a high amount of metal in their construction sound notably inferior.

It could be down to the method of cable to connector fixing or connector construction, rather than the amount of metal. John Coleman an old time forum visitor until he fell ill a while back did some extensive tests with connectors and fixing methods that were quite a surprise to me. I don't think he was however interested in publishing it online.

[Mike]

I suspect that this is due primarily to the influence and/or absence of eddy currents.

Do you get eddy currents in non magnetic metals?

Just wondered as I have some aluminium bodied "Bullets" but the body is not electrically connected in any way.

[Marco]

Do you get eddy currents in non magnetic metals?

Not that I'm aware of, dude. Try the Eichamnns, you may prefer them to WBTs

Marco.

[Marco]

Hi Stan,

It could be down to the method of cable to connector fixing or connector construction, rather than the amount of metal.

No doubt that's also a factor, however I've experimented enough now in this area to satisfy myself that there is definitely also something in the metal thing.

John Coleman an old time forum visitor until he fell ill a while back did some extensive tests with connectors and fixing methods that were quite a surprise to me. I don't think he was however interested in publishing it online.

I don't remember him. What forums did he post on and did he use his own name or something else?

It would've been interesting to have read what he wrote on the subject

Marco.

[StanleyB]

His username was John Thourbalaux or something like that. He used to make those vinyl weights for for forum members on wigwam etc.
He sent me a report of his findings but I doubt I still have it. I changed PC since then. But I'll have a look.

[Marco]

Ah, I know exactly who you mean now. I just didn't recognise him as John Coleman. Thrunobulaxx - yup! Profile here: http://theartofsound.net/forum/member.php?u=86

Really nice guy, but unforunately he had a heap of personal problems...

Marco.

[NRG]

Do you get eddy currents in non magnetic metals?

Just wondered as I have some aluminium bodied "Bullets" but the body is not electrically connected in any way.

Yes, eddy currents can be induced in non-magnetic metals IE: aluminium.