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Where is the optimal place to have an interface between two different metals?

hey-o!

it is pretty well established scientifically as well as anecdotally that at an interface of two different conductors composed of two different metals, distortion of a signal occurs.  this leads many to choose receptacles and power plugs (as well as IEC inlets and connectors)  made from the same metal.

my question is this: where is the best place to have the interface between different metals in order to reduce distortion?  there obviously needs to be some type of interface since in-wall wiring is copper and internal component wiring is often copper as well. so where does it make the most difference? is it in the receptacle/plug interface where everyone who cares about this focuses their attention? or do they focus their attention here because any of the other interfaces are too much of a pain in the ass to change?  what about the power cable itself?  i see lots of people who like rhodium plated recept/plug combos, but i've never seen any mention of rhodium plated cable.. so there's an interface between two different metals where the connectors join to the cables...

i truly am curious and would love your thoughts and discoveries on the matter.
128x128toddverrone
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

That's a good question.  If you are correct in saying that a junction between 2 DIFFERENT metals causes impedance related reflections, then one would assume that copper-on-copper would be the best outcome.  That would not jive with my experience on the copper-on-copper connectors causing midrange ringing distortions.  I honestly don't know why plated connectors work better than un-plated copper.

The only signal reflection problem I know of is related to digital signal cables only (SPDIF coax / HDMI) where shorter cable lengths (under 5 feet) will cause reflections back to signal origination and cause sound problems.  I can hear this in short digital cables where the sound is smeared some.

toddverrone's avatar
toddverrone OP
840 posts
 
That’s why I started this thread. My initial line of thinking about connectors was as you stated: copper on copper should be best. But then that’s obviously not true once you start listening with plated connectors.

So that got me thinking about all the other connections I make in a power cord and the ways in which they might influence the sound. Where does it matter most? Not to mention how the internal wiring is connected to the IEC inlet, or wiring of the receptacle..

The comment above about DC intrigues me.. How does a constant current negate distortion?
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
re soldered connections

ARC used to have a big soldering machine, but they sold it after listening tests indicated that hand soldering gave them better sound

go figure...

re Where does it matter most? - likely everything matters more in the signal chain not the AC line supply - don't forget they have transformers in them which will eliminate or reduce noise

What matters most is the speakers tho not the pre-amps, etc.
toddverrone's avatar
toddverrone OP
840 posts
 
And room treatment.. :-)
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,442 posts
 
I don't use connectors for the most part. I direct solder my power cords, ICs, and use no connectors on my speaker cables. I don't use binding posts on my amps and use a Teflon or woiden posts  to clamp the output wires of my amp to bare speaker wire. 

All connectors degrade sound no matter how good the connector. I don't like the sound of silver plated copper based on listening tests, but can see why others may. 

I have not not gone so far as to hardwire my gear to the romex in my house. That my be a little extreme🤔
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