Mains Plugs, Rhodium or Gold Plating?
 

Many years ago I had two mains circuits installed for the Hi-Fi system. As each component required its own mains connection a total of seven sockets were fitted.
Moving forward several years I added the Isotek Nova and Titan mains conditioners to the system. The combination of the stiff Nordost Valhalla mains cables and the right angled U.K. plugs meant that the conditioners had to be pushed to the back of the rack to allow the plugs to be inserted.
I then changed the mains plugs to straight versions. The only viable option was Furutech; the choice was gold or rhodium connections. The advice I received at the time was fairly consistent, that there was no, or very little, sonic difference, but that the rhodium plating should be more durable, although it would take longer to run in. I chose rhodium.
The two Isotek units have now been replaced by a single mains conditioner, the Burmester 948, and now, amongst other updates, I am going to replace the existing sockets with one double socket. The only viable option is still Furutech; the choice is still, rhodium or gold?
The advice from several dealers is very similar to that which I received when I bought the rhodium plugs several years ago, but then I came across this review, which gives a very different opinion.
www.hifi-advice.com - The power connector-comparisons continue - part 2 - Furutech Alpha3 powercable - review
I would be very grateful for any opinions or experiences that you may have with mains connections, especially comparing rhodium and gold plated mains plugs.
If I opt for the gold socket, then I will be replacing the existing rhodium plugs with gold plated ones.

I use Furutech Flux Rhodium plugs for everything, banana, spade, XLR, RCA, IEC, power. The level of resolution & detail is astonishing. I have to disagree with the review in relation to liveness & musicality though. The sensation is so real, you're there!! Expensive, but couldn't be happier with their Rhodium reference connectors. . :yes:

I find the review you provided is close on the mark.....the Rhodium seems to have a slight bump in the upper freq. around the 10K band or so, many like the extra bit of energy there....the Gold has a subtle softness through out, its not rolled off but the boost that Rhodium gives is farther back with the Gold. I also find the choice of power cord connectors are maybe more so connected with the final sound than the wall outlet itself!

Hi MyPal and Jeff,

Thanks for your replies, they are very much appreciated.

There is possibly more of a difference between the rhodium and gold plating than I was led to believe.

I am going to order a mains plug and IEC in gold, convert a Valhalla and compare it with a rhodium terminated Valhalla.

Hopefully I will be able to tell the difference and come up with a preference between the two.

Thanks again for your help :thumbsup:.

Valhalla is on the brighter side of things. With your Burmester gears, gold may work better. Try both.

According to Siltech's Edwin van der Kley, when I asked him why his Ruby Hill II used only Furutech's Gold connector and not the rhodium one, he said that Gold, being soften actually provides a better contact with the IEC than the rhodium.

Having said that I have heard a difference between the two using identical power cords. I am not sure if the added highs fromthe rhodium is due to high resolution or whether gold is merely emphasising the mids a little more. It's all relative but if your machine is bright sounding I would go for gold.

For burmester, I would even consider Furutech's copper versions.

howie

This is interesting as Siltech's higher level power cords, Ruby Mountain II and Ruby Double Crown, both use Furutech's CF plugs that have Rhodium finish.

Hi,
I can say that I've tried them all. My conclusion is that, all are like nonadjustable EQ/reverb/effect. The result was unpredictable and rather trial and error experimental.
I used Furutech GTX gold, GTX rhodium, PS audio, Oyaide R1 wall sockets.
for plugs/IEC I've tried Wattgate 330i/350i, Furutech FI50 carbon, Oyaide F1/M1, 079,046 all have different plating. Wattgate gold plated make really sweet and nice sounding, Furutech FI50 make hollow sound.
Of all, to my preference on my own system, I think gold plated make most natural sound. Rhodium make really weird sound. But if I use to much gold plated, sound will become too warm too thick and may be slow. So I have GTX gold plated sockets to feed source. and Rhodium sockets to feed power amps. for plugs I used gold plated on some cables and standard hubbell hospital grade on power amps.
Standard Hubbell hospital grade provide tight and strong nass, but will harsher mid and treble.
It's your hard work to mix all the ingredient to make it right to your preference.

TOGA

Hi,
Thanks for the replies; I thought that this thread had died some time ago, so it was a pleasant surprise to come across so much information this morning.
I've re-terminated a Valhalla cable with Furutech gold, and it is now being run in.
Unfortunately a problem elsewhere in my system means that it will be some time before I will be able to do any meaningful comparisons.
Thanks again for all the input, it is greatly appreciated :thumbsup:.

Keep us updated. Your system should be able to reveal the difference without problem.