Eidolic Pins or different brands of connectors

Discussion in 'General Audio Discussion' started by BlueElephant, Nov 13, 2015.

  1. BlueElephant

    BlueElephant New

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    http://www.eidolic.com
    Besides aesthetics do the pins and plugs of a cable make a difference? Considering different brands like oyaide, neutrik, furutech and the likes.
     
  2. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

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    I have the 4-pin XLR on my HD800 cable. It's well made. Robust.
     
  3. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    I know Norne audio now uses these. I don't know if it effects the sound but they look and feel really premium.
     
  4. kapanak

    kapanak Canucklehead - Friend

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    For normal uses, I go Neutrik all the time, because they last long and are well made.

    For fancy headphones cables or interconnects, when I want something high quality that also looks good, I use Eidolic plugs. The Eidolic 4pin XLR is the best I've used, and I've used all the other brands before. Their 2.5mm TRRS for balanced is also an easier to use one compared to some other brands (still a f'ing pain to solder, barely any clearance).
     
  5. BlueElephant

    BlueElephant New

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    But any apparent differences in SQ? I'm not sure what the consensus is for cables making a difference, but if they do then wouldn't the plugs/pins make a difference as well, although perhaps less obvious. The different platings (Silver, Gold, Nickel, Copper). Eidolic has the tellurium copper pins which are more expensive than the standard variant. Does this imply there is a difference? Or is it merely snake oil? Also I have heard that the tellurium pins are more malleable compared to the standard type, which supposedly speaks of its purity.
     
  6. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

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    In my limited experience, I tend to believe that physical contacts make more of a difference than the cables themselves. An oxidizing contact will introduce a subtle, grainy, veiled coloration that you won't notice until you clean it. As I understand, there is some measurable basis for this effect.

    That being said, I doubt the tellerium copper contacts offer much of a sonic advantage over gold plated or rhodium or brass. Although I can't say I've tried comparing. Perhaps in 10 years of exposure to oxygen, moisture, skin, etc. the tellerium copper might "sound" better than a brass contact that has deteriorated similarly (or vice versa). So I'd say just buy the highest quality stuff you can and give yourself a flash with the old Neuralyzer to remove the episode from your memory banks. If I was the author of "Audio Can And Should Be Hella Cheap" then I would tell you get the cheapest connecter possible as and find some way to stick a 5532 in it.
     
  7. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    How much do these Idiotic pins cost? Can the money be spent on better tweaks or upgrading to a better DAC, amp, or headphone?
     
  8. SKiring

    SKiring Friend

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  9. tiberiantwilight

    tiberiantwilight New

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    i have a few xhadow xlr plugs around and they are a step up in clarity from regular neutrik xlrs.
     
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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  11. BlueElephant

    BlueElephant New

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    The generic 'standard' pins tend to be made of plastic whereas this are made of metal at least, so that could justify the higher price, even if it is purely superficial.
     

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