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RCA Shorting Plugs vs Caps non-shorting ?

I have had Cardas RCA Caps on all unused inputs in my preamp for some time. I recently bought an inexpensive bunch of gold-plated Chinese RCA Shorting Plugs on eBay (Cardas has a much more expensive version). The Shorting Plugs had a dramatic impact on dynamics seemingly reducing the noise-floor. (I seem to remember that back in the 60's/70's, shorting plugs often came with the preamps and integrated amps I had then) Are there RCA jack locations that can only be served by Caps vs Plugs? The second Preamp Out and Tape Out would be candidates for Caps vs Plugs, but all other unused jacks should take Plugs. Is that correct guys?
elunkenheimer
rello
311 posts
 
Shorting plugs should only be used on inputs
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,788 posts
 
Good move Elunkenheimer, I did the same. A dozen true shorting plugs on ebay for ten bucks I think it was, much cheaper than the price of the Cardas plugs, which do nothing but keep dust out of RCA jacks. Big deal.
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
Yep, all Cardas does is reselling 10...20x higher to naive consumer.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Caps are best shorting plugs not so great.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
All unused RCA plugs should have caps, including video Inputs and outputs, even the TV unused inputs and outputs. Apologies for being mysterious. One note: the caps allegedly prevent EMI/RFI from entering through the open plugs but if you do the math the diameter of the opening is too small for almost all electromagnetic waves.
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