catman Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 G'day all, I was just reading a thread on another audio forum on the sonic benefits of cleaning audio connectors and such. I myself do this quite regularly and in fact with my tendency to 'rotate' audio gear such cleaning happens automatically! That being said I just realised that the line level inputs on my CA power amplifier haven't been touched since installed (quite a few months or so), so I just worked the RCA plugs in and out of their sockets for a while and guess what, there is a noticeable sonic improvement. With connectors that haven't been touched for this length of time, I almost expected this knowing what I know about such things from work experience. It can and does make a sonic difference. Regards, Felix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill125812 Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 There's another audio forum 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 Kontak. Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catman Posted December 29, 2015 Author Share Posted December 29, 2015 G'day mate, yes....unfortunately! Regards, Felix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darth vader Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 DeOxit DX5...found that on "another" forum. Works a treat. http://www.jaycar.com.au/Service-Aids/Chemical-Aids/Aerosols/Deoxit-Gold-Contact-Cleaner-%26-Rejuvenator---Aerosol/p/NS1434 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almikel Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 possibly tricky for RCAs, but a pencil eraser works a treat on iphone/ipad charger terminals when mucky mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 This: http://www.musicdirect.com/p-9658-signet-rca-cleaning-tool-ea.aspx plus this: http://store.caig.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1534/.f?sc=2&category=292 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 That Signet RCA cleaning tool is extremely cool!! It's on my shopping list! Thanks, Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_mac Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 (edited) That Signet RCA cleaning tool is extremely cool!! It's on my shopping list! Thanks, Andy Unfortunately I find that it doesn't work anywhere near as well as I had hoped EDIT: although, that is with older amps. With modern items which only have a small build-up of muck, perhaps they would work better. Edited December 29, 2015 by pete_mac 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 You could always put some cleaning fluid around the male or female end, @@pete_mac, before you insert the Signet tool and start rotating it. That should do the job? Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 Unfortunately I find that it doesn't work anywhere near as well as I had hoped EDIT: although, that is with older amps. With modern items which only have a small build-up of muck, perhaps they would work better. I use a wire brush in a Dremel to clean up really bad RCAs and then use the Signet tool in a battery drill with either Deoxit R5 or ProGold to finish off. Works a treat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darth vader Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 plus this: http://store.caig.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1534/.f?sc=2&category=292 The Deoxit Gold is for treatment after the DX5, the Gold will protect clean surfaces, but it wont really remove any old corrosion, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catman Posted December 30, 2015 Author Share Posted December 30, 2015 G'day all, I have used the standard Deoxit DX5 on some real basket cases and it's worked miracles. It is pretty amazing stuff! Regards, Felix. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catman Posted December 30, 2015 Author Share Posted December 30, 2015 G'day all, just a slight aside but I wonder if anyone can give any testimony to the value of cleaning audio connectors in practice? I have certainly observed this, what about others? Regards, Felix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darth vader Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 I've found on some of the older gear that has some tarnish on the RCA connectors the DX5 does help, not so much on already clean or well looked after stuff. Physically cleaning them is just as effective, but I find contact cleaner more convenient. I spray some on a cotton bud and use it that way, I dont want to damage any print or paintwork. I've found that Deoxit works better than any other contact cleaner I've used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOPSHELF Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 When i used Naim seperates i would annually power everything down and remove all the din cables and give each of them a good shake for a few minutes. I would then remove and insert them about 10 times, you could hear the pins grating on the female part of the connector and they would be shiny when done. From memory i could swear it sounded better. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollo Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 Nothing like a clean contact. Deoxit is perfect. Every six months for my system. There is also a cleaning kit available with all size brushes for those valve sockets and the like. charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 I'm a bit late to this thread but I use these for cleaning not only RCA connectors but XLR and other types of connectors. The small "Piksters" are available at most chemists in the oral care section (next to the tooth brushes). I use size 7 with a dash of DeoxIT and insert it into the female RCA and twist it a few times. They also fit well in the gap between the pin and ground of a male RCA. I use size 4 for XLR holes using the same technique. They are far better than cotton buds as they do not leave any debris behind. The larger brush on the bottom of the photo comes from an "Overflow" or $2 shop and can be found in the makeup section (I noticed them dribbling around behind my wife). They are good for power cords and other larger connectors. I also use some green cleaning pads (again from the $2 shop) cut into strips to push the end down into the gap of a male RCA if it is particularly tarnished and needs a good clean. After a few turns the metal is shining and clean. Hope these tips help folks! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weka Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 After a thorough clean I recommend applying some Stabilant 22 contact treatment. It migrates to the other mating surface and one treatment will last for years. Popular in the aviation and aerospace industries. http://www.stabilant.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhakPak Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 4 minutes ago, Weka said: After a thorough clean I recommend applying some Stabilant 22 contact treatment. Stabilant 22 is a trigger for corrosion. I wouldn't use it on RJ45 contacts, SD contacts, or HDD contacts, all of which I've had corrosion problems due to using Stabilant 22. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weka Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 1 minute ago, WhakPak said: Stabilant 22 is a trigger for corrosion. I wouldn't use it on RJ45 contacts, SD contacts, or HDD contacts, all of which I've had corrosion problems due to using Stabilant 22. Mmm... hadn't heard of that before. Guess I'd better do some research before continuing to use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smp Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 Kontak with Johnson's buds and pipe cleaners. Jeweller's polishing cloths. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhakPak Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 Just follow my advice, don't use it on those things I've mentioned. Non-repairable damage caused by Stabilant 22 precipitated corrosion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogicprObe Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 Everything needs cleaning once in a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussievintage Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 If you get deoxit, get the little bottles of liquid and brushes set, NOT the aerosol spray cans. The spray is so wasteful and they will be empty after just a few cleanings. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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