Do "Cardas Caps" make a difference?

I have been using them for a little over a year and really didn't notice any sonic differences. It was just that "peace of mind" thing, they keep out dust and they look nice. There's even a signature version, or something like that.

I have 90 of them installed. Couldn't hear any difference but I could swear my VCR's picture was less grainy after installing on the unused inputs. Testing with them on and off did produce a difference that only I could see. In other words, they probably do close to nothing. However, they look good (especially on front inputs) and they protect the RCA connector itself. Knowing what I know now I probably would have gotten plastic covers for protection only but I'm not dissappointed with the Cardas caps. Sean's idea is probably the way to go but I've heard many preamps don't like shorted inputs (I have no personal experience with that).

You might notice that the Cardas ads claim that the caps help prevent RF noise from entering the system. They do NOT say that they eliminate RF noise. Nor do they claim to have any effect on the biggest sources of RF noise such as ground loops and cabling.

I own a systemful of Cardas cables, and think they are a good product and a good value. I have no experience with Cardas Caps, and don't intend on getting any. What I think these are is an absolutely genius idea from a marketing and profitability standpoint. They are the perfect answer to a question that nobody has ever needed to ask, and play brilliantly upon the famous neuroses of audiophiles. Here we have a product that - at least theoretically - makes logical sense, passes the "Couldn't Hurt" test, and looks and feels swell (and apparently can engender a little of the same feeling in their owners). They seem inexpensive when considered on a per-item basis, but I am sure that folks such as Leo above will testify that like playing a slot machine, this is one "cheap thrill" that can quickly get out of hand. My hat is off to George Cardas (or whoever's working for him) for coming up such an obvious-seeming idea - one which I'm sure has tweak-merchants everywhere smacking their foreheads and exclaiming, "Why didn't I think of that myself?!"

I had a slight buzz in my system. The Cardas caps helped lower the buzz volume by around 40%, so they did help. I resolved the buzz problem, but am happy to know the Cardas Caps do help in some circumstances. It's nice to know my expensive gear wont be gathering any dusty gook around the rca inputs anyway.