Why do phono sockets sound different (to me)?

[fmak]

In high resolution systems, the type of phono sockets produces slightly different sonic characters. Kimber, Tiffany, Vampire, and other sockets produce subtle differeneces in terms of treble and bass qualities.

Why is this? Contact properties, impedance characteristics? The effect is smller than capacitors or resistors but is nevertheless there.

[fdegrove]

Hi,

Why is this? Contact properties, impedance characteristics?

Assuming contact resistance and impedance would be identical, which they're probably not, then they'd still sound different since different alloys are used.

Cheers,

[sobazz]

Then again - a different alloy would almost always result in different electrical properties.... but would you be able to tell the difference in a blind test? If the sockets are a proper construction using proper materials the electrical differences will be nothing but extremely tiny.....

[fdegrove]

Hi,

but would you be able to tell the difference in a blind test? If the sockets are a proper construction using proper materials the electrical differences will be nothing but extremely tiny.....

I doubt anyone could tell a single set apart in any test but if you use the same brand throughout your system, then yes, I think it could be possible.

Then again who cares about blind tests anyway?
I trust my own ears and those of friends I know to have sharp hearing as well.
For two decades we all seem to agree on issues where most people still seem to be in the dark.

The most important task for any connector is good contact, secondary is the use of good sounding materials.
RCAs are notoriously bad connectors to start with but that doesn't mean there can't be any sonic difference between one or other brand.

Good examples of decent sound are Cardas, Kimber and a few lesser known brands.
The best ones are of course the ones you don't hear at all...

Cheers,

[sreten]

Just to add my 10p's worth........

There are differences, but as usual the diffrences between good phono's
(and cables) are minor compared to cheap phono's (and cable).

A major influence unsuprisingly are the phono sockets the plugs
are going to be used with, and the phono sockets method of
coupling to the circuitry.

A compromised socket may show more differences with different
plugs (and cables), than a better arrangement.

If you have a bad sounding cable there is always a good engineering reason for it.

A friends system always sounded harsh. After he eulogised about
a new CD player cable he'd bought I had a look at the Chord CD
cable he had be using.

So-so cable and nice plugs. (And alledgedly very good sounding reputation)

But the earth connections via a clamping collet (not soldered)
were literally turning green, the source of the harshness.

Rewiring the plugs with new cable showed soldering the earth
was possible, but impractical in a production situation.

sreten.

[SY]

But the earth connections via a clamping collet (not soldered) were literally turning green, the source of the harshness.

So true and so often overlooked. So-called gas-tight fittings aren't always so.

[Tube_Dude]

Hi

Another caracteristic that can change the sound of phono sockets is the parasitic capacitance of them.

[fmak]

Originally posted by sobazz
I'd be impressed, if you can pick out different pairs of "proper'" phono sockets in a blind test....

-------------------------------------------------------
I probably can't. But repeated sighted insertions do give different sonic characters.

Blind tests reduce confidence in identification; you are worried about being able to tell the difference. Long termm listening and satisfaction seem to me the key.

[Peter Daniel]

So which ones do you like? For instance, I noticed that whenever I used Cardas RCA's the sound became more "mellow" and somewhat softer. Kimber RCA's sound seems to not have this characteristic.

[Tube_Dude]

Originally posted by fmak


Blind tests reduce confidence in identification; you are worried about being able to tell the difference. Long termm listening and satisfaction seem to me the key.

yes...but also ,the long termm listening sastifaction can only result from you to become accustomed to it.