If you must use RCA then hands down the Neutrik professional RCA where ground makes connection before signal. The mating female RCA connectors must to be solid though, could be thorn out otherwise, as the connector is incredibly strong.
If you need crimped RCA with proper 75 ohm (for digital spdif or video) then the only real connector is the Canare RCAP C-5F. Use with proper 75 ohm cable.
Neutrik XLR in different flavours for symmetrical signals. I like the black shell with gold pins.
Quality BNC connectors are available in 50 and 75 ohm, so you need to be careful. Dartzeel for instance uses 50 ohm BNC for audio. Need to use the proper 50 ohm cable as well (Belden for instance). 75 ohm for digital spdif audio. AES digital with special 110 ohm Neutrik XLR.
Various good (modular) connector systems from Amphenol or TE for power (or multi-pin signal) available, but you need to differentiate low voltage, high voltage (electrostatic Stax or tube amps), etc. where the pins are inserted into the connector after soldering or crimping. Tool needed for pin removal, but much better than soldering multiple pins directly into the connector with no possibility for removal. Crimp pins available as well for maintaining 50/75 ohms or if need to crimp different wires thickness as well as insulation thickness. AMP CPC is incredibly nice.
Neutrik SpeakOn is probably the best speaker connector, hands down. 4pin version can be used for low voltage amp/psu type connection as well. Can take up to 10awg wires. 8pin for bi-wiring available as well (in a single huge connector).
The new Neutrik PowerCon is incredibly good as mains IEC replacement. It is a locking connector as well.
If you need crimped RCA with proper 75 ohm (for digital spdif or video) then the only real connector is the Canare RCAP C-5F. Use with proper 75 ohm cable.
Neutrik XLR in different flavours for symmetrical signals. I like the black shell with gold pins.
Quality BNC connectors are available in 50 and 75 ohm, so you need to be careful. Dartzeel for instance uses 50 ohm BNC for audio. Need to use the proper 50 ohm cable as well (Belden for instance). 75 ohm for digital spdif audio. AES digital with special 110 ohm Neutrik XLR.
Various good (modular) connector systems from Amphenol or TE for power (or multi-pin signal) available, but you need to differentiate low voltage, high voltage (electrostatic Stax or tube amps), etc. where the pins are inserted into the connector after soldering or crimping. Tool needed for pin removal, but much better than soldering multiple pins directly into the connector with no possibility for removal. Crimp pins available as well for maintaining 50/75 ohms or if need to crimp different wires thickness as well as insulation thickness. AMP CPC is incredibly nice.
Neutrik SpeakOn is probably the best speaker connector, hands down. 4pin version can be used for low voltage amp/psu type connection as well. Can take up to 10awg wires. 8pin for bi-wiring available as well (in a single huge connector).
The new Neutrik PowerCon is incredibly good as mains IEC replacement. It is a locking connector as well.
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Beyond the excellent overview starcat gave, there are F and N connectors (mainly used in radio) and of course old Levinson gear came with Camac (Lemo) plugs (which I believe originates in the medical equipment field).
Thanks, starcat, that's exactly the information I was looking for! 🙂
Thanks especially for the Canare reference, I'd never heard of them.
Thanks especially for the Canare reference, I'd never heard of them.
The Canare RCAP 75 ohm crimp connectors are available in different versions for the various coax cables, make sure you order the one that fits your cable (outer screen diameter and center pin thickness). There is RCAP-C3A, C3F, C4A, C4F, C5A, C5F, etc.
They are available as BNC connectors as well, so you can use the same cable with both type of connectors. Very nice!
They are available as BNC connectors as well, so you can use the same cable with both type of connectors. Very nice!
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