panel mounting RCA phono jacks

[Lavcat]

I am looking for an RCA phono jack that is of good quality with the following characteristics:

1.) Both shield and hot insulated from chassis.

2.) Solder lugs for both shield and hot connections.

3.) Relatively easy to mount in a single hole.


So far I am considering Cardas or WBT 210. I am open to other suggestions.

My question is what size mounting hole is required? I have looked at the mechanical drawings for both Cardas and WBT 210. Unfortunately the drawings do not impart as much information to me as I would like. I have read that Cardas mounts in a 3/8 inch hole and WBT in a 12 mm hole. Can someone confirm if this is correct? Are these round holes or D shaped holes? If the WBT 210 were mounted in a 1/2 inch hole would it be too loose?

Thanks for any help.

[Michael Bean]

If you don't mind saving a lot of money buying things that lack high price elitist names, these are very high quality and perform quite well:
untitled "Gold Plated RCA Jacks B Red & Black" - about 1/2 way down the page. Mount in a round hole, about 3/8" if I remember correctly.
Mike

[theAnonymous1]

Originally Posted by Michael Bean

If you don't mind saving a lot of money buying things that lack high price elitist names, these are very high quality and perform quite well:
untitled "Gold Plated RCA Jacks B Red & Black" - about 1/2 way down the page. Mount in a round hole, about 3/8" if I remember correctly.
Mike

I agree that those are perfectly suitable for all but the most uptight audiophools..... I mean audiophiles.

I've bought these similar jacks and have been perfectly happy with them.....

2 pairs Female Amplifier RCA Jack Chassis Sockets USA | eBay

[Lavcat]

Originally Posted by Michael Bean

If you don't mind saving a lot of money buying things that lack high price elitist names, these are very high quality and perform quite well:
untitled "Gold Plated RCA Jacks B Red & Black" - about 1/2 way down the page. Mount in a round hole, about 3/8" if I remember correctly.
Mike

A 1/2 inch hole would be easer for me because it can be punched. Thank you for the suggestion though, the price point is well taken.

[Face]

The difference in price is brass vs. copper.

[Michael Bean]

Copper vs brass is an expensive marketing ploy, no functional difference other than brass being a stonger and more durable material.

Mike

[Face]

If your evaluation of the sound differences(or lack of) between copper and brass termination was using those Ebay RCA's, I wouldn't expect there to be a difference either. They appear identical to Apex Jr's and Vampire's brass RCA's and are all probably from the same source.

[theAnonymous1]

Copper vs. brass "sound quality" isn't something I care to debate, but let's say copper is indeed sonically superior.

These brass jacks are all plated, the final plating being gold. Since the currents being carried are usually fairly small, wouldn't skin effect dictate that the signal is mostly being passed along the gold layer? Not to mention gold has a lower resistance than brass.

[DF96]

Skin effect has almost no effect at audio frequencies. It is simply a matter of resistance. A thin gold layer on top of a thick lump of some other metal means that most current will be in the other metal. The gold is there in an attempt to stop the contact from oxidising. I have read, but I forget where, that most gold plating is too thin and soft to do this effectively so is really only of cosmetic value.

[theAnonymous1]

Originally Posted by DF96

Skin effect has almost no effect at audio frequencies. It is simply a matter of resistance. A thin gold layer on top of a thick lump of some other metal means that most current will be in the other metal. The gold is there in an attempt to stop the contact from oxidising. I have read, but I forget where, that most gold plating is too thin and soft to do this effectively so is really only of cosmetic value.

Like I alluded to in my previous post; it doesn't matter either way IMO.

I guess if you are the type to think the cost is worth the name brand jacks, then you can probably afford them anyway and it isn't really an issue. I mean I don't think a sane person is going to let their bills go and starve their children just to buy cardas or wbt.