Rerurn to Romy the Cat's Site
In the Forum: Audio Discussions
In the Thread: It’s mad, mad, mad... electricity.
Post Subject: Plating and Dielectric GreasePosted by Paul S on: 2/21/2017
The dielectric grease I use is specially formulated for high voltages, and it can be used on clean tube pins to excellent advantage (ignition grease): https://www.permatex.com/products/lubricants/specialty-lubricants/permatex-dielectric-tune-up-grease-2/
With respect to connectors, do as you like, but be sure to compare your old, "worn out" Vampire connectors with dielectric grease to newer connectors with heavy and/or double plating. Of course, "pure" silver "won't corrode", but, in reality, the silver or silver plate you will get will also oxidize, not to mention sonic "issues" with silver plated Cu. Even if you like it to begin with, my experience is, it changes markedly over time, if this concerns you. I like the idea of a "protective plating", but experience has shown me that the dielectric grease is a better choice, in terms of sonics. Do let me know how it goes for you.
Note: In my experience, the best-sounding connections are super-clean, tight, "naked" connections, copper-to-copper, or silver-to-silver; but these bare connections do not sound good for long. While the very thin coat of dielectric grease is not without very minor "sonic consequences", it remains "acceptable" for a long time, years in my system. Again, the Caig stuff simply goes to shit over time, immediately on high-voltage connections. I use jewelers polishing cloth and polishing "abrasives", when I need abrasives. Avoid at all costs scratching connectors. I use pure alcohol or special, "no-residue" parts cleaner to clean EVERYTHING off connectors before applying VERY little Si grease.
Best regards,
Paul SRerurn to Romy the Cat's Site