Contact enhancer...?

Discussion in 'General Audio Discussion' started by dllmsch, May 25, 2016.

  1. dllmsch

    dllmsch Friend

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    So something like this existed for decades and I have never heard people used it for audio application.
    Recently I was browsing some asian forums and found out this furutech oil is highly praised in almost everywhere and it is sold out in a lot of places in Japan. Everyone is saying that one drop of the oil can greatly improve the sound quality. The thing is those forums has an even lower S/N ratio than head-fi.

    My initial thought is I see furutech+silver+gold I call snake oil, but gotta keep and open mind right.
    So does anyone here has any experience with these kind of contact enhancer? thoughts?
     
  2. Kunlun

    Kunlun cat-alyzes cat-aclysmic cat-erwauling - Friend

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    I've heard all the same claims made for cat semen.

    2nd Answer: Hey, ya know what else "selectively switches-on between the mating surfaces of each of the individual contacts, staying non-conductive between adjacent contacts"?

    Muh dick.
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2016
  3. Griffon

    Griffon 2nd biggest asshole on SBAF

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    You are vividly illustrating the reason for which I distant myself from Asian audio forums.
     
  4. JoshMorr

    JoshMorr Friend

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    '

    32 part investigation coming on sonic values of cat spunk vs liquid gold. Early results: the enhancer is easier to extract from the furtech bottle than the fully clawed male feline.
     
  5. dllmsch

    dllmsch Friend

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    I honestly think the stabilant 22 is a legit product for getting rid of connection problems cuz
    1. it is not intended for audio application
    2. it existed way before the audiophile snake oil popping up
    3. seems to be well received, well, based on amazon review, for aircraft and automotive stuff
    Their explanation for the "selective" conductivity is that it will become conductive under an electical field kinda like semiconductor.

    But my question is more about does it actually "improves" an analog signal when used in audio application or just to fix bad connections, which I'm not sure how bad it would be on a TRS/XLR or tube's jack. So, yeah...actual experience would be much appriciated.
     
  6. mrweirdude

    mrweirdude Asshole lowballer - acquaintance

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    I'd imagine having something applied between the contact points would reduce conductivity, not enhance it..
     
  7. dllmsch

    dllmsch Friend

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    My guess would be kinda like thermal compound but sticks to the connector half-permanently, and also kinda like gold plated connector to make it soft and increase contact area. Not sure though.
     
  8. Azteca

    Azteca Friend

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    1) Buy better components before you even thiiiink about this junk.

    2) Those better components will probably have very solid connectors and then you don't have to worry.

    3) Remember that we aren't reading femtojoules generated by an amoeba. It's a strong-ass electrical signal. If you're that worried, get gear that uses XLR. Professional line level outputs are +4dBU or 1.23V.

    If one was going to care that much about connectors, you could look at this stuff, which at least has some scientific basis in changing conductivity if not audibility.
    http://www.norneaudio.com/litzheim/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=113
     
  9. Azteca

    Azteca Friend

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    For real though just buy decent gear and decent cables and connectors (Blue Jeans, Neutrik, Mogami). I can't tell you how little this stuff matters compared to almost any other change you can make like different source, different amp, different transducer, different power supply...
     
  10. Armaegis

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    We had another thread where we wandered into this stuff for a while.

    Stabilant22 does have good scientific basis behind it, but is not meant for connectors that will be unplugged because it can build up a "crust". It's meant for "set and forget" type connections. Perhaps internal crimp plugs or opamp/tube sockets, but not headphone jacks.

    All other contact enhancers are essentially just some type of conductive particles in a liquid (usually oil?) suspension. They will only improve conductivity if your mating surfaces are very rough and those particles fill in those voids. Their other benefit is the oil will help keep out air which will reduce further oxidation. Of course, if you unplug frequently then you're gonna lose the benefits of this too. There are extra goopy products like silclear; you want to be careful with those and not use them in places where you might accidentally bridge a connection somewhere and make things go boom.

    Periodically cleaning your contacts is probably one of the better things you can do. A simple deoxit or other contact cleaner will remove oxidation and improve the conductivity of your mating surfaces. No snake oil there. Some of the cleaners also contain extra stuff that will help reduce future oxidation. Some may also provide a bit of a lube. Please don't use those on your wang. Please don't put your wang into any sort of sockets containing electrical components.
     
  11. dllmsch

    dllmsch Friend

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    Thanks for the reply, it explains so clear that I won't have any further question.
     

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