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RCA End Caps

What are people's experiences with them? Cardas has them at $3 each which seems awefully expensive especially since I would need 39 of them. I don't want to use almuminum foil (I'd rather pay $3 each). Are there other brands to consider? I would want some that don't short the inputs like the Cardas ones. Do you need them on unused the ouputs? How about Digital Coax? Thanks! leo.
leoturetsky
glen's avatar
glen
714 posts
 
If you do a search for *SHORT OUT PLUGS* You will find a thread I started awhile back that will teach you how to make your own using parts from Radio Shack. I must have made 30 or so for about a buck a piece. Better check your manuals before you start randomly plugging them in. My Theta gear recommended them for unused inputs only (NO OUTPUTS) I would recommend just using dust caps for the outputs, which you could probably make yourself just eliminate the shortout and soldering step. Good luck
cuonghuutran
25 posts
 
These caps do nothing but they look nice -- if you walk around your stand to look at them. A sheet of Mumetal does a lot more to block EMI or RFI than these caps.
drrdiamond
671 posts
 
Do they really short out the input/output? Will the new XLR also short out. Not being an engineer, but that sounds like it could be harmful to some of the electronics.
I hope someone very knowlegeable about this (engineer) would answer this.
sean
6,231 posts
 
The Cardas plugs are not "shunts" or "shorting plugs". A shunt is something that ties your "hot" to "ground", either directly or through a preset impedance. The Cardas pieces are simply metal "lids" or "shields" that slide over your unused RCA jacks. As such, they are safe for any RCA since there is no electrical connection being made.

As to using shunts on unused RCA jacks, they should only be used on INPUTS. NEVER "shunt" an output or you WILL do damage to the component. Unused outputs would be a good place for the Cardas pieces or similar designs. As a general rule, shunts are far more effective at lowering the noise floor, minimizing the effects of RFI and eliminating crosstalk between unused inputs when directly compared to "RCA covers". Some preamps, etc... may have side effects such as oscillation or sudden changes in sonic character from using shunts / shorting plugs. This is typically due to a poor design and circuit instability. Needless to say, this can occur with ANY piece. This is regardless of make, model or expense IF it was poorly designed to begin with.

I would HIGHLY recommend doing a search via the archives and look up some of the threads. You might want to enter either "shunts" or "shorting plugs" as the subject. Sean
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