Post from another thread, which lost direction and I didn't get a response (shadowking aside )-

Hey, I work at RadioShack, and was wondering- would the RS "Gold Series" be fine, good quality? Indeed, what about the RS plain vanilla RCA cables?

Obviously Monster cables are a bit of nonsense- I just spent my week doing online courses on Monster stuff, and aside from learning about analog/digital audio, and which video is best, the rest was BS- talking in-depth about why Monster gives better audio or video than other cables, not to mention the bizarre "Monster Power" claims.

But don't tell my boss that


Back to my question- I've always used 3-5 dollar really crappy quality cable and wondered if RS or RS Gold would be any better, or even, sufficient.

And do any of the RCA audio cable terminologies- dielectrics, 24K carat tips for optimal signal transfer, and more (e.g. this Monster cable we sell at RS- http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=133 )- add up to improved performance, or even good ideas thereotically?

Compared to say:
(RadioShack Gold Series)
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.js...rentPage=search

(RadioShack "plain vanilla")
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.js...rentPage=search

I mean, I don't get horrible sound quality, but I do have a bunch of noise- I was almost swayed by those bogus "Monster Power" claims but thankfully came to my senses. Eliminating 99% of AC noise sounds like such a good thing though!
(I wonder if this would work:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.js...entPage=search)

Regards,
- Spike



Basically, I just want to know if there's an advantage from the really basic to the Gold, and/or from either RS brand to the Monster ones. I'm curious to see if even though most of the Monster claims and terminologies are hokey, that some may be legit and scientifically-based.


I'm very curious about the RS A/V Grade Surge Protector for 40 bucks on sale- anyone tell me if it looks good? Is it worth filtering 99.98% of AC noise?

- Spike

Ah, cables, what a lovely subject...

If noise is your problem, I would guess that those very cheap cables are not properly shielded (or shielded at all). I'm not in the US, but those RadioShack cables look thick enough to have proper shielding.

In theory dielectrics affect the sound and the effect can be measured, but so far I have only seen claims and opinions, not proper blind tests to show that someone can actually hear the difference.

Gold is good plating material for the connectors because it does not oxidize which can cause crackling noises. Otherwise it does not make the sound better.

Surge protectors are not for filtering A/C noise, but to prevent high voltage peaks breaking your equipment. If you want good filtering, you'll need a power conditioner which are very expensive.

To reduce noise, use shielded RCA cables and do not run them parallel to power cables (if you need to cross them do it in 90 degree angle).

What sort of 'noise' a very slight hiss from speakers with the volume set at 0 or something much louder?

There may be some difference in durability among the different grades of cable, but as long as you don't abuse them all of the mentioned cables should sound identical.

Gold-plated contacts are a good idea, nobody likes oxidation. A surge protector is also a good idea (i've got everything on surge protectors here), but mostly, well, against surges. The noise filtering is a bonus, but not something that influences the sound of a stereo system.

Gold is a good plate for contacts. The current price of gold, however, means that gold plate will be very thin and wear off pretty quickly. I would go for nickel which will remain intact for a long period insuring good contact. YMMV

For someone who is so derogatory towards Monster, you sure don't seem to be applying the underlying philosophies to anything else. There will be no difference between any non-defective cable choices.

If I'm not mistaken, gold plate is never applied directly over copper but first a layer of nickel is applied, then the gold over the nickel, so don't worry about the gold wearing off.

Thanks for the responses guys, appreciated.


Well, work at RS, and you'll see why- I had to take a few days worth of Monster 'classes'. They're the only RS training you have to take where the company runs it- Monster that is (as in, it's their videos and training, not RS stuff like everything else).

It was really awful and a lot of it was very dicey.

I understand the underlying deals are false with everyone else- gold plating improving sound and all that- Monster just pisses me off doubly because of the time I wasted and how expensive their phony cables are compared to other phony cables, I guess.
Plus, their power conditioning equipment, and their talk of dirty power, most of their claims seemingly unsubstantiatable (is that a word? ) . It goes beyond audio cables, although that's my main interest.

At any rate, I asked whether Gold was any better at all, so it's not like I'm saying Monster is awful but the phony RS ones are any better. I just wanted to qualify what might be hepful and what is bonafide (or at least, likely) snake oil.

- Spike

Some people think that gold to gold, or nickel to nickel gives the best connection versus terminal wear for cables.

It should protect your gear but, imho, do little else.