gold vs silver jacks

[GuitardedMark]

Besides oxidation over long periods of time, what is the difference between gold and silver jacks?

 

[mshilarious]

Gold doesn't corrode, but it will wear off on frequent patching. Thus, use gold for connectors that stay patched, and silver for connectors that get repatched often.

 

[GuitardedMark]

Is there a sound difference?

 

[Lt. Bob]

Is there a sound difference?

nah .......

 

[GuitardedMark]

Thanks guys!

 

[drstawl]

Every microphone cable I've seen has been nickel plated or nickel plated with a very thin coat of gold on top of it.

Silver plated contacts would look like hell in no time.

 

[GuitardedMark]

Every microphone cable I've seen has been nickel plated or nickel plated with a very thin coat of gold on top of it.

Silver plated contacts would look like hell in no time.

I was talking about the color of the jack rather than the material

 

[Lt. Bob]

I was talking about the color of the jack rather than the material

I almost made the same comment but I figured you must have meant the color.

 

[RRuskin]

A gold contact is only beneficial if it is being mated to a gold plug. Otherwise, the dissimilarity of the metals will breed crud buildup.

 

[miroslav]

Is there a sound difference?

I think the gold contacts sound "warmer"....

 

[dintymoore]

I've had times when nobody would dance and simply switching to a gold plated guitar jack packed the dance floor.

 

[mshilarious]

Neutrik technical data:

"Contacts - female 3 pole: Bronze CuSn6
- male: Brass CuZn35Pb2
Contact surface
gal 2 μm Ag or gal 0.2 μm Au hard alloy over 2 μm Ni"

The silver contacts do indeed tarnish black with time and lack of use, not quite so fast as a sterling teapot though . . .

 

[mshilarious]

I've had times when nobody would dance and simply switching to a gold plated guitar jack packed the dance floor.

That's the same reason I use pure gold solder in all of my products!

 

[dintymoore]

That's the same reason I use pure gold solder in all of my products!

It's cheap so why not?

I've had mucho happiness with Neutrik and Canare gold plated connectors. They do seem to resist corrosion better.

The gold plated Canare RCA plugs are especially nice. I've reused lots of them over and over and they still seem new.

 

[grimtraveller]

Besides oxidation over long periods of time, what is the difference between gold and silver jacks?

The bling, bro, the bling !