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Virtually
all of the RCA/XLR Connectors/sockets used by today's top cable
manufacturers like Neutrix/WBT/Cardas/Kimber are made from brass. There
are a number of different brass alloys, generally featuring a combination
of copper (around 60%) and varying amounts of zinc, lead, and even tin.
The presence of these other metals greatly reduces the manufacturing cost
by making the material much easier to machine and process.
From
an electrical standpoint, these other metals are considered impurities
that drastically reduce the electrical conductivity of the resulting
alloy. For example, the conductivity of brass alloys is only about 26%
that of pure copper. As electric and sound engineers, we have always
believed that this loss of conductivity (almost 75%) of a
connector, directly affects the overall performance of a terminated
audio cable.
While
most cable manufacturers ignore this situation and focus on marketing, DH
Labs engineers have been working with top metallurgists to develop and
refine the ultimate connector alloy. Years of research have led to
the introduction of our exclusive "High Copper Alloy"TM.
This material is made in the
U.S.A.
to ensure the highest quality and is composed of more than 99% pure
copper, with a conductivity rating that is at the top of the industry.
Trace amounts of two other (non-magnetic) metals are added to provide the
adequate hardness and strength required for an RCA Plug to hold up over
time. Even our plating process has been modified to maximize signal
transfer. Simply stated, this is the finest connector anyone has ever
made.
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