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Eichman RCA's - what makes them so good?

I've just installed a set of these on a silver interconnect I have and the difference in details was very noticeable. The image has become very focussed with more depth and the micro details have also improved consideraby.

I realize the silver is probably responsible for the improved resolution, so is the design responsible for the improved imaging? Will the copper give me the same image improvements?

Has anyone out there tried both the silver and the copper (or gold plated copper)
- if so what difference did you notice?

Alternately - if you have only used copper
- what were you using previously?
- what differences did you notice?

I am using these on my analogue stage, which I thought was pretty good - until yesterday.

I'm thinking of trying the gold plated copper on the digital side - or should I just opt for the silver - the curious side of me wants the copper, just to see what the differences are, but the pragmatic side is saying that if I'm not happy - I'll need to replace them with the silver :-)

If it's the design of the rca that's more responsible for the improvements' then going for the copper would be more cost effective

Any feedback appreciated - thanks
williewonka
zd542
5,339 posts
 
I wouldn't get the gold plated. Better to just get the pure copper or pure silver and clean them regularly.
williewonka OP
3,075 posts
 
Zd542 - from what I have read on several sites/forums there is no need to clean tarnished silver, since the black oxidized layer (i.e. silver sulphide) that forms, has better conductivity than gold - although slightly less than untarnished silver.

Have you noticed any perceivable improvements by cleaning the tarnish?

Would the same improvements be attained by simply re-seating the rca's? (Which probably removes the oxidation anyway).

Thanks for any feedback
williewonka OP
3,075 posts
 
Well, after a lot of investigation into the Eichman RCA and their design priniciples I opted to proceed in a similar, but different direction.

My amp is a Naim 5i mkII - on the first two inputs Naim has opted to use a european DIN connector as well as the standard RCA connector

My sources use the standard RCA connectors.

I wondered why a company like Naim had opted for the DIN connector, but the DIN uses the same sized pins for signal and neutral much like the XLR connectors preferred by more upscale brands - it's just smaller.

I opted to re-terminate my interconnects with DIN on one end and Eichmann RCA's on the other.

What happened when I connected the interconnects pretty much knocked my socks off and I can now see why Naim uses DIN.

The DIN plugs I ordered had a nice metal body with silver plated brass pins and cost around $7 each - for that price it was worth trying

The Eichman Silver bullet RCA's by comparison were $140 for a set of 4

Both use small mass pins to make their electrical connection.

The improvement in sound was clearly apparent in two areas
1. Spatial imaging was larger, more focussed with much more air around instruments that resulted in more clarity of image

2. The overall presentation is much more dynamic and engaging

Clearly, Naim uses the DIN because of its superior performance and cost effectiveness - so why don't other manufacturers use DIN when it is so clearly superior to RCA?

If you have any Naim gear - get DIN connectors on your interconnects - you won't believe the difference they make
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