Why Rhodium?

I experimented a few years ago with two power cables with Acrolink 7N copper wire and one with Oyaide gold connectors and the other with Oyaide rhodium connectors (this was going from the wall to a PS Audio Power Plant Premier). The difference in the sound from just the plating was stark. This is why Oyaide has different types, to voice your system, not WAF as suggested above (though your system may have bottlenecks that keep you from hearing the difference well). In that instance I found the rhodium to be slightly more defined, but it also had some glare. My system had plenty of resolution, so I went with gold to smooth it out and add some body.

I would say the choice is totally system dependent, but I would go with gold to inject a bit of warmth. I don't think relative conductivity is the real issue when it comes to sound. I'm currently struggling with which Furutech plugs and connectors to use in my new setup, because the decision is not entirely straight forward.

I will add that Alex at Wywires has told me he believes that the wire used in the cable does make a big difference on whether you hear differences in plating. He says he doesn't hear much difference between the silver plated connector he normally uses and the FI-50 rhodium.

@fork I’m pretty sure the WAF comment about connectors was pure sarcasm..

I have definitely heard differences between conductors and between different playing on otherwise identical connectors on PCs.

Or I’m delusional. But what a sweet delusion..

Rhodium is a poor to average conductor, only about 35%IACS which is only a little bit better than Brass. It is very tough, hard wearing, and has a very smooth and shinny finish, almost like a chrome finish.

Like all cable designs it would appear that it depends on the cable and connector architecture, that has been utilised.

For me Rhodium tends to have a dryish, perhaps glarish, and darkish presentation which appears to give an impression of detail.

Just plain simple logic states that one is ignoring the physics of science, when Cardas, and Furutech is claiming Rhodium and other 'rare' metals improve 'connectivity' soundstage etc etc. Nothing is further from the truth. These two companies are just fooling you and ripping the fool who believes in this crap. Just simply silver and copper are the only metals THAT SHOULD BE USED FOR A FAITHFUL NEUTRAL transmission of audio signals. Silver is very tricky but after 10 years of studying and testing cables I realized a cable that is perfect. Silver/Copper!  It is absolutely true when someone said that the connections SHOULD BE VERY SECURE. It is also true that after soldering you need to remove the flux. Remember Silver and Copper. Silver is tricky. But copper is THE BEST METAL FOR AUDIO! Period.