Do 1/8" Plug-to-RCA Jacks Adapters Degrade Sound?

[White Fox]

I'm using a Radioshack Gold 1/8-to-RCA adapter to use my best ICs to connect my PCDP to my home amp, and wondering if it is degrading the sound in theory or practice?

Has anyone compared a mini-to-RCA cable to an RCA-to-RCA with an adapter of similar construction while connecting components?

 

[cmirza]

The signal is always going to be better when you use as little wiring distance between components and as few connections between components. While the difference may be miniscule and even undetectable with the equipment you have, using something like an 1/8" to RCA adapter is going to have some effect on signal quality.

 

[White Fox]

That's pretty much what I figured.

 

[sbulack]

I've used the Radio Shack 1/8" to RCA adapter($5) and the same type of adapter from AudioQuest($12). I get appreciably better results using the AudioQuest adapter. The RS adapter rolls off the highs and lows to the point where my enjoyment of music I know well goes down a lot. The AudioQuest adapter allows a lot more of both highs and lows through, making for a way more enjoyable listening experience for me. BTW, I use the adapter from the mini stereo analog out of a Picollo DAC, through a Grover UR RCA pair to a PPA amp. I'm sure that the AudioQuest adapter is affecting the sound as well, but it is notably and appreciably better at letting the audio signal through than the RS offering.

 

[NotJeffBuckley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmirza The signal is always going to be better when you use as little wiring distance between components and as few connections between components. While the difference may be miniscule and even undetectable with the equipment you have, using something like an 1/8" to RCA adapter is going to have some effect on signal quality.

They're effectively negligible impedance and capacitance. How is it that they can have a negative effect on the signal quality?

Edit: I can see how poorly made ones might have problematic demensions (inconsistant wiring, etc.), but any quality adaptor ought to do nothing to hurt the sound.

 

[replytoken]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbulack I've used the Radio Shack 1/8" to RCA adapter($5) and the same type of adapter from AudioQuest($12). I get appreciably better results using the AudioQuest adapter. The RS adapter rolls off the highs and lows to the point where my enjoyment of music I know well goes down a lot. The AudioQuest adapter allows a lot more of both highs and lows through, making for a way more enjoyable listening experience for me. BTW, I use the adapter from the mini stereo analog out of a Picollo DAC, through a Grover UR RCA pair to a PPA amp. I'm sure that the AudioQuest adapter is affecting the sound as well, but it is notably and appreciably better at letting the audio signal through than the RS offering.

Check you Audioquest adapter. I have had two of them and both have had the channels mixed up! It seems that Audioquest has a QC problem on their hands with whoever makes their adapters.

 

[bigshot]

Adapters make no audible difference as long as the contacts are clean.

See ya
Steve

 

[Gino]

I have not heard a pcdp that has great resolution. From Sonys to Panasonics, they are veiled when compared to excellent home cdps. As such I rarely worry or put too much resources into cabling for these players.