Rhodium...hmmm


I recently purchased pc for cd player with rhodium ends on both...I wasnt feeling the mojo from it and was not content with lowend resolution/grunt.I switched ac/male end with nice furutech copper and it has made the difference...Im surprised at the difference that it has made.Bass has more info/definition/warmth and high end still has sparkle with the neutral transparency that rhodium (iec) seems to offer.I know this has been talked about alot and probably deserves a duh!.. Rhodium indeed has its place in my system after all this time.Like it.

digsmithd

Rhodium isn’t typically selected for its conductance characteristics, but for its durability. Generally, via plating, it is very thin, very even, and very hard. Th hardness/smoothness allows for a consistent delivery of current on contacts similar to cryogenically treating cabling, and Rhodium will not oxidize or result in wear over time as much as gold or silver plating or straight out copper.

Yes, Rhodium has a tendency to sound brighter/sharper at first, but IME it just takes a really long time to break in. Once it does, that harshness tends to go away. Not to say it is better than other conductors this is subjective, but it does have its strengths and weaknesses, and I personally prefer them if the whole cable has synergy mostly due to the durability and lack of oxidation.

Also, the sound will depend on the quality of the connector and conductors it is paired with. Rhodium plated phosphor bronze or copper alloy wont sound as robust and clear as Rhodium plating over solid silver plating over solid copper conductors, for instance. 

Also, the sound will depend on the quality of the connector and conductors it is paired with. Rhodium plated phosphor bronze or copper alloy wont sound as robust and clear as Rhodium plating over solid silver plating over solid copper conductors, for instance.

+1 The base metal is very important.

+2 @blisshifi 

Very well stated and informative comments as to why rhodium is chosen as the preferred plating material by many High- End audio manufacturers. Now if an individual likes the sound or not is a subjective matter as is literally everything with regard to audio.

Charles

I agree, Rhodium can sound good but does take a really long time for break-in and the consistent good sound. In my opinion, that's why when you read the forum here on Audiogon about the Furutech GTX-D Rhodium (R) Duplex Receptacle, members report very long time periods of inconsistent sound and 250 - 300 hours or more of break-in time.

Cable being used is simple furutech absolute power plus...14 gauge occ copper used for my cd player.The cable itself is well made but as stated it came with both ends rhodium.It just didnt have that full warmth in lowend...it does now.Cable was bought used and i assume he ran until breakin was achieved.I was set to write this cable off that 14 awg isnt enough to give up the goodies/cd player...its ok to be wrong,right?

I posted because i achieved what i was hoping through mixing ac ends fwiw.