Hi to all!

I own a vintage C28 preamp whose rear RCA connectors (IN / OUT) in my system configuration are used only partially. In other words a lot of these are unsued thus I would fit on these specific RCA cover caps (Cardas, Sievking, Telos, etc.). Do someone tried this tweak on his Mac preamp? Is it a suggested useful setup?

Thanks for help!

Guglielmo

I purchased a set of Cardas a few years ago. I could not tell the difference and they were so hard to get off and on, I did not reuse them when I switched gear.

I bought about 30 "copy" caps from E-bay. Seemed to be similar construction - but MUCH cheaper (about $2 each, vs nearly $5 for Cardas, etc.). They are gold plated brass. The center pin is removable (do not want to short out outputs - but shorting inputs is fine).
I have MX-130 feeding two Mc-7270s. I put them on all unused audio inputs & outputs (outputs caps with center pin removed).
Candidly, I cannot tell a difference.
Some people say they make a "night & day" difference. But, not to my ear in my system. Perhaps McIntosh does a better job of internal shielding, etc., so that these do not make as much of difference as they might with some other equipment.
No more difference than they made, I am glad I did not buy "name brand" caps.

I've used shorting plugs in unused inputs on my C28 and only palce it seemed to make any difference was in phono 2 when I used phono1. You would spend your money more widely in replacing the jackset with goldplates. With mine, it made an audible difference. However, I've not sure what effect it has on the value but as it is not going to be sold while I have my facilties, I could care less.

I purchased a set of Cardas a few years ago. I could not tell the difference and they were so hard to get off and on, I did not reuse them when I switched gear.

+1 :thmbsp:

I have Cardas caps covering every exposed socket on my McGears!

To me, its all more of aesthetics than practical. Just that it gives me the feeling the sockets will be dust free and keeping them from being tarnished.

Still using them! Too expensive to discard! :D

Thanks to all for useful suggestions!

I guessed more or less that these RCA caps are more cosmetic than functional... Or, to be precise, may be the older the gear the better the improvement.

In my case the 40 years C28 could take advantage just for unused Phono-2, Mic, Tape Head inputs with shorting caps without spending a lot of money for HiEnd signed items!
I agree that it's worth spend for improvement in other areas like connectors, recapping, power supply with dedicated external AC voltage conditioner.

Does someone know where buy these shorting economical RCA caps like originally factory provided Mac items (those with grey plastic cover..)? Thanks!

Guglielmo