Why gold?

Rare on XLRs? Only if one purchases the cheapest out there. Even my least expensive(Mogami) studio/mic cables' Neutrik XLRs are gold plated. All of the Kimber/Audioquest/Silver Audio balanced products I've owned have been terminated with gold or silver-plated Switchcraft XLRs(now the KS-1130s). I don't know where people get the idea that studios use cheap cables. I suppose it's because they never get to any quality recording venues, and/or have never seen what they actually use. Note what this studio says about using "high quality metals" at connection points, and realize that the plating(usually nickel) on inexpensive RCA/XLR connectors is ANYTHING BUT quality, or a good conductor: (http://denverrecordingstudioblog.com/2009/02/02/blogroll/the-benefits-of-using-good-quality-cables-in-your-recording-studio/) On this chart, you'll find that nickel has 25%(IACS) of the conductivity of the reference, annealed copper: (http://www.eddy-current.com/condres.htm)

The "tarnish", or oxidation that silver experiences has absolutely no effect on it's conductivity(unlike other metals), as anyone that has paid attention "realizes". That's unless said silver is exposed to high concentrations of H2S, SO2, NO2, CL2 or ammonia, and the corrosion becomes pretty thick(highly unlikely in your listening room, unless you create a lot of Hydrogen Sulfide via flatulence). Gold is among the most inert materials in the world and, as such, will not significantly contribute to any electrolytic process. "Alchemy?" As usual: The inexperienced and unknowing, decrying experiments, conclusions and science from their pulpits of abject ignorance. You're welcome to "The Last Word!" (I doubt that you'll be able to help yourself.) =8^)