Has anyone had any success with RCA caps?

asindc

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Jul 19, 2013
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I've been thinking about trying some of these but would like to hear from those who already use them. I have some plastic ones on my preamp that came with my Oppo that I use to keep out dust, but reputedly the metal ones are more effective with blocking out RFI/EMI. Mixed reviews on these. Here are some examples:

http://www.amazon.com/Mwa-rc-Pieces...36719&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=Oyaide+MWA-RC+120

Amazon.com: Audioquest - Noise Stopper Caps: Car Electronics

Amazon.com: Eastone® ENS002, Noise Stopper Reducing RCA Plug Caps 24K Gold Plated (10 pcs): Electronics

CARDAS RCA CAPS (SET 12) at Music Direct

MODS: Please feel free to move if this belongs in another forum.
 
I would suggest using simple shorting plugs for any unused RCA inputs (NEVER on outputs!) You can make them very inexpensively by getting some RCA plugs and soldering a short wire between the two connection points, which shorts the center pin (signal connection) to ground. This will prevent any stray noise from entering the preamp section through the usused inputs. On higher end preamps that use relays to connect the selected input jacks only, these would not provide any benefit.
 
Nelson, thanks. I've seen those but don't know what to make of the numerous sellers and their items out of China. I've read that some have ordered these with no negative experience, but I would at least like to know the rationale behind the design and materials used, even if they only cost a relative few bucks.
 
Nelson, thanks. I've seen those but don't know what to make of the numerous sellers and their items out of China. I've read that some have ordered these with no negative experience, but I would at least like to know the rationale behind the design and materials used, even if they only cost a relative few bucks.

Hi asindc,

I can't speak for others, but I've been using a brand of these called Telos Audio RCA Caps for the last two years, and most recently their newer version called the Quantum to great effects, as someone whom has researched into different ways of canceling out my systems RFI/EMI as well as noise interference, my system has become extremely quiet to the point where I'm now accustomed to darn I say it?, and ever darker backdrop if you will that has seemingly made for a quieter - smoother - more refined, yet delicate presentation where everything seems better balanced, as well as having a greater sense of purpose, but I'll let you read between the lines here:

HiFi Unlimited: Cap Wars. RCA Caps Shoot Out. Cardas vs Telos vs Generic.

one net never knows the weird science behind these devices, but I can say aloud, I'm a believer.

Regards,
O_o scar
 
Hi asindc,

I can't speak for others, but I've been using a brand of these called Telos Audio RCA Caps for the last two years, and most recently their newer version called the Quantum to great effects, as someone whom has researched into different ways of canceling out my systems RFI/EMI as well as noise interference, my system has become extremely quiet to the point where I'm now accustomed to darn I say it?, and ever darker backdrop if you will that has seemingly made for a quieter - smoother - more refined, yet delicate presentation where everything seems better balanced, as well as having a greater sense of purpose, but I'll let you read between the lines here:

HiFi Unlimited: Cap Wars. RCA Caps Shoot Out. Cardas vs Telos vs Generic.

one net never knows the weird science behind these devices, but I can say aloud, I'm a believer.

Regards,
O_o scar

Oscar, thanks for the info and the link. I had actually skimmed through that article a few days ago but with this product I am more inclined to take stock in end user's accounts. Good to know that you researched this before making your choice.
 
Once again asindc,

I can't put into words what they do/don't?, but I'm hearing a much cleaner more balanced sound then I had just three years ago, but I've also taken the cancelation of extreme noises down one level further and use devices like Isotek System Neoplug or K Works Audio System Silencers, as well as a Shunyata Research Venom Defender, and about to demo several of the Nordost Qv2's, as a few friends and I of late have discovered the hard way, our homes aren't as quiet as we'd like to believe.

And it's not until your components/space is totally quiet in regards to bad power or noise entering ones system, that you realize, one very important factor.........., why hadn't out dealers told us about these type of devices years ago?.

I'll give you one to try out in your own home - simply borrow through the Cable Company, one - single Audioprism Quiet-line and place it along a power strip/distributor and tell me what you hear?, that was the ear/mind opener for me, and it's where my quest ends.

Happy listening,
O_oh
 
Once again asindc,

I can't put into words what they do/don't?, but I'm hearing a much cleaner more balanced sound then I had just three years ago, but I've also taken the cancelation of extreme noises down one level further and use devices like Isotek System Neoplug or K Works Audio System Silencers, as well as a Shunyata Research Venom Defender, and about to demo several of the Nordost Qv2's, as a few friends and I of late have discovered the hard way, our homes aren't as quiet as we'd like to believe.

And it's not until your components/space is totally quiet in regards to bad power or noise entering ones system, that you realize, one very important factor.........., why hadn't out dealers told us about these type of devices years ago?.

I'll give you one to try out in your own home - simply borrow through the Cable Company, one - single Audioprism Quiet-line and place it along a power strip/distributor and tell me what you hear?, that was the ear/mind opener for me, and it's where my quest ends.

Happy listening,
O_oh

I use these: PS AUDIO NOISE HARVESTER in BLACK (EA) at Music Direct. I got them when they were half off. I use this to measure the noise on a wall or power conditioner receptacle:Stetzerizer Microsurge Meter | Dirty Electricity. Stetzerizer also has filters, though I haven't tried them. I live in a townhouse with a house on either side of me. One of my neighbors has a home theater in the room on the other side of the wall from where my equipment is set up. I have a very noisy environment, to say the least. I'd like to hear your impressions of the Isotek, K Works, Shunyata, and especially Nordost filters.
 
I use these: PS AUDIO NOISE HARVESTER in BLACK (EA) at Music Direct. I got them when they were half off. I use this to measure the noise on a wall or power conditioner receptacle:Stetzerizer Microsurge Meter | Dirty Electricity. Stetzerizer also has filters, though I haven't tried them. I live in a townhouse with a house on either side of me. One of my neighbors has a home theater in the room on the other side of the wall from where my equipment is set up. I have a very noisy environment, to say the least. I'd like to hear your impressions of the Isotek, K Works, Shunyata, and especially Nordost filters.

And might I ask you, did the Noise Harvester work in your home?, I know a couple of the Guys at Music Direct as well as the Cable Company whom are nice enough to teach me about the importance of these devices, and become a believer - but I also use little acoustical treatment devices called ASI Sugar Cubes or Synergistic Research HFTs placed about our living space as well, and with great results I might add.

I started with the smaller PS Audio Harvester along with a single Quiet-Line as was amazing at how they both made the highs more relaxed, yet everything in the background/drop easier to hear without straining to pick up on the different players with a band, it was as if each had been separated into their own little sections across the stage as heard directly in front of me, but not wanting to buy say 8 - 12 of these devices to place throughout our apartment, I began to ask said friends for more effective ways of doing this, with less boxes, it merely came down to finding ones with larger capacitors and that actually had grounding plugs as well.

This lead me to the Isotek, then K Works ( even larger box with better parts ) the Venom Defender came about as the result of trying to hear what a Hybrid Line Distributor/Conditioner might add to the equation - and to my surprise everything has become even more silent as if I'm how able to detect hidden notes underpinning the notes themselves as if layers upon layers of noise has been removed right before my very eyes/ears - and it's scary enough to know that while some might consider me out there - and I am, I know what I hear within my space isn't in my head.

The Nordost filtration devices are coming in next week, as it was because of Kiwi's article on the Ansuz Sparkz that caught my attention enough to go - ummmmmmmmm, what if?, so I've ordered two of them to start out with, because as I hear/see it, our rooms our extremely noisy and some know, but others think it's foolish, but it all begins as Kiwi/Lars ( Nordost ) and Roy Gregory ( Ex-Hi-Fi Plus - Nordost and currently at the Audio Beat ) have stated all along the " Foundation " of our beloved systems start at the AC Outlet outwards, and you know what?, it's logical enough for me to see that it's true.

I just added an update of my research into Audiophile Graded Fuses earlier over on Audio Asylum, as shown here:

Audiophile Grade Fuses - [email protected] - Tweakers' Asylum

And I can admit like a few other open-minded thinkers, that everything in audio serves a purpose, and I literally mean everything.

Peace,
O_o scar
 
And might I ask you, did the Noise Harvester work in your home?, I know a couple of the Guys at Music Direct as well as the Cable Company whom are nice enough to teach me about the importance of these devices, and become a believer - but I also use little acoustical treatment devices called ASI Sugar Cubes or Synergistic Research HFTs placed about our living space as well, and with great results I might add.

I started with the smaller PS Audio Harvester along with a single Quiet-Line as was amazing at how they both made the highs more relaxed, yet everything in the background/drop easier to hear without straining to pick up on the different players with a band, it was as if each had been separated into their own little sections across the stage as heard directly in front of me, but not wanting to buy say 8 - 12 of these devices to place throughout our apartment, I began to ask said friends for more effective ways of doing this, with less boxes, it merely came down to finding ones with larger capacitors and that actually had grounding plugs as well.

This lead me to the Isotek, then K Works ( even larger box with better parts ) the Venom Defender came about as the result of trying to hear what a Hybrid Line Distributor/Conditioner might add to the equation - and to my surprise everything has become even more silent as if I'm how able to detect hidden notes underpinning the notes themselves as if layers upon layers of noise has been removed right before my very eyes/ears - and it's scary enough to know that while some might consider me out there - and I am, I know what I hear within my space isn't in my head.

The Nordost filtration devices are coming in next week, as it was because of Kiwi's article on the Ansuz Sparkz that caught my attention enough to go - ummmmmmmmm, what if?, so I've ordered two of them to start out with, because as I hear/see it, our rooms our extremely noisy and some know, but others think it's foolish, but it all begins as Kiwi/Lars ( Nordost ) and Roy Gregory ( Ex-Hi-Fi Plus - Nordost and currently at the Audio Beat ) have stated all along the " Foundation " of our beloved systems start at the AC Outlet outwards, and you know what?, it's logical enough for me to see that it's true.

I just added an update of my research into Audiophile Graded Fuses earlier over on Audio Asylum, as shown here:

Audiophile Grade Fuses - [email][email protected][/email] - Tweakers' Asylum

And I can admit like a few other open-minded thinkers, that everything in audio serves a purpose, and I literally mean everything.

Peace,
O_o scar

Totally agree on the last two bolded statements. Ironically enough, I'm also looking at fuses as well. I use HiFi Tuning Supreme at the moment but might try Synergistic Research's new RED fuses. But I digress.

The PSA Noise Harvesters are modestly effective but don't really give me a significant relief from noise. I have six placed at various points in my room and collectively they are worth the trouble, but I am curious about the theoretically "more robust" offerings by other companies.

I'll check out your post on AA on fuses.
 


I use these: PS AUDIO NOISE HARVESTER in BLACK (EA) at Music Direct. I got them when they were half off. I use this to measure the noise on a wall or power conditioner receptacle:Stetzerizer Microsurge Meter | Dirty Electricity. Stetzerizer also has filters, though I haven't tried them. I live in a townhouse with a house on either side of me. One of my neighbors has a home theater in the room on the other side of the wall from where my equipment is set up. I have a very noisy environment, to say the least. I'd like to hear your impressions of the Isotek, K Works, Shunyata, and especially Nordost filters.
 
Totally agree on the last two bolded statements. Ironically enough, I'm also looking at fuses as well. I use HiFi Tuning Supreme at the moment but might try Synergistic Research's new RED fuses. But I digress.

The PSA Noise Harvesters are modestly effective but don't really give me a significant relief from noise. I have six placed at various points in my room and collectively they are worth the trouble, but I am curious about the theoretically "more robust" offerings by other companies.

I'll check out your post on AA on fuses.

Like minds are very common in our shared passion, which is audio, we just have to dig a little harder/deeper sometimes to find one another - but in the end, it's about excepting someone else's vision and/or truths as it relates to the areas most simply have overlooked.

And please don't be afraid to venture outwards, less you be stuck not knowing, and to me knowledge is vital, as well as power. The devices with larger capacitances are a necessity - I'm down to 4 placed near my living/listening area - one on the systems AC circuit - one along its side wall, another in the adjoining dinning room, and lastly in our kitchen and it's dead quiet, I'm waiting for World War Z to start any moment now, it's so still/silent.

But let me know your take on my article on the fuses!, once again I hear what I hear, and that's all I can base anything upon.

Peace,
O_oh
 
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