Telos RCA/XLR caps

I have seen these in magazine and there is a store selling those in pass AV fair
Do any one had try it or currently using it, any comment on it?
It has a lot positive review in the internet, i wonder how much and what improvement it really brings~~
This is the link of review for the Telos caps provided from Telos website
http://telos-audio.com.tw/images/2009_05.pdf (in Chinese)

i think its possible to use cheapo RCA plugs, add a aluminium foil around it and it will be just as good as a "Telos" cap.

Hmmmm.... a DIY solution just came to mind!

Some observations if i may. I use these caps and they're really well made. Material is copper plated in Gold or Platinum (as claimed by manufacturer) with Teflon inserts.

In use these seem to not only darken the soundstage but actually behave like BBE (barcus berry electronics). Google BBE if you don't know what it is.

Anyway, the Gold adds warmth and the platinum adds BBE. Basically a whole lot of stuff like imaging, focus, detail, defination etc. Be warned that the platinum is really really potent and it's easy to go overboard and plug up all your unused RCA and XLR jacks for maximum effect. Your ear might welcome more and more detail but you might end up with an overkill anylytical sound without realizing it. Best done with the help of a hifi buddy to listen in while you add caps.

I still don't believe that these caps do what they do but they do and these are easily the cheapest audio upgrades anywhere. I am not selling or promoting these and have nothing to gain here, just sharing.

I do hope however that someone here with a more scientific mind than mine can tell me how these caps do what they do. But before you judge, do judge these caps by trying them out at home. You'll be equally baffled by the results.

Same observations here.

Had an audiophile friend over together with a supplier of Telos Caps. Never believe those passive items. Have been using cardas RCA caps until recently, basically to protect the input from dust.

These Telos caps are very well finished. The level of improvement is incredible, esp if yr system is basic to mid fi.

I have the benefit of the supplier who tweak it for me by plugging in certain numbers of gold and platinum caps, perhaps thru trial and order.

All I can say is that this inexpensive tweak really work. For those who are interested, pm me and I can pass you his contact. Perhaps he cld help you tweak yr system too.

Just like what I experienced, you do not have to buy unless you hear improvements in yr own system.

Just something to share with fellow hifiers. No relations to the Telos brand but a happy user.

Actually, how these small things work?
I have no idea how they work..
Why they can bring affect the sound?

There are 2 types of RCA caps.

1. One which is just a metal cap, doesn't touch the inner contact (the positive pin) at all.

2. The second type actually shorts the positive and negative and this one increases the circuit grounding. These types should only be used for amp's input terminals. If you place these caps on the output (like tape out or pre-amp out) then you'll risk destroying your beloved amp. Some manufacturers actually supply the shorting types for the Phono inputs, so the internal phono amp wont pick up any spurious noise and amplify the junk. This is becoz phono stages work with very low signal levels and are hyper sensitive.


For me, i'd just go for the 1st type, if anything just to keep dust out of the unused RCA jacks only. And the metal cap just acts as a noise shield without actually increasing the amp circuitry grounding.

Too much grounding is what causes the sound to become "dark sounding". Just like some super crazy shielded interconnects. Some detailing is lost, and vocals lose the airiness feeling. Like a dry smoker's cough.

Mugenphoo,

I really enjoy reading your posts and having good dialogue with you because you're practically a walking, talking compendium of knowledge and then some.

It would really be great if you could get your hands on at least 2 or 3 pairs of Telos Platinum caps and give me your opinion on what it really does on your own 300i, first hand from you. It's would be the sexiest thing to happen to hifi4sale.net since the sceptical agent Scully encountered ghosts in X-files.

Please make it happen..... (bated breath)

btw, the Telos caps are non shorting and in your own words really should just acts as a noise shield without actually increasing the amp circuitry grounding. So how can it actually BBE the sound in the way it does??? What gives??? Oh please Mugen, please please investigate and share your findings.

mugenfoo wrote:i think its possible to use cheapo RCA plugs, add a aluminium foil around it and it will be just as good as a "Telos" cap.

Hmmmm.... a DIY solution just came to mind!

Cheapest RCA plug I can find here cost $4. Cardas RCA cap retail for about $3.75.

Basically this Telos RCA Caps im using almost few mths already, 1 box come with 10pcs. i bought a gold RCA Cap, i felt that it do have some improvement on my system. Especially when play song, i can noticed the song/sound a little bit clean and clear. All this base on my experience. if im wrong pls correct me.

David, try the Platinum. Just 1 or 2 pairs will blow your mind.

Y u said so... hehee.. infact this RCA caps is my cousin brother intro to me... cos he do selling that y i get from him and try

Will the price of platinum caps scare people away??
Platinum wor... very high class leh..
Like credit card, platinum card more high class than gold card...

Platinum is the material used. RM25 a piece if I remember correctly. You don't need many pairs of platinums.

how about AV amplifier...too many to cover laaa...

after this dont know what others gadget to be manufacture to take out money from our pocket

Don't waste your money. For AV amp and mini compo the regular rubber/plastic dust caps would do.

But if anyone has more money than sense then there is another gadget that can help. It's called Genting Taxi. It will get you to the right place to help you burn money.

Really not cheap eh? RM25/pc..
Need to really find the efficiency of such stuff 1st before I buy..

bimmerman wrote:Mugenphoo,

I really enjoy reading your posts and having good dialogue with you because you're practically a walking, talking compendium of knowledge and then some.

It would really be great if you could get your hands on at least 2 or 3 pairs of Telos Platinum caps and give me your opinion on what it really does on your own 300i, first hand from you. It's would be the sexiest thing to happen to hifi4sale.net since the sceptical agent Scully encountered ghosts in X-files.

Please make it happen..... (bated breath)

Thanks, but you flatter me too much already..

I'd much rather enjoy the mud slinging and name calling at some seller's posts about certain stuff for sale, and some people's replies about the prices, and then the seller's retorts and name callings, and the tit for tat and tit and tat...
Won't you agree with me on this one?

BTW, u wanna sponsor me some "Telos" caps , mebbe on loan or something ?

Don't think I'm much bothered to go buy some myself just for a test.

Hi all,

maybe one of you brothers out there can tell me where I could get hold
of say 1 pair of these to try out!
Who and where is a dealer in town?
Don't want to go Genting la.
Prefer to burn my money right here in KL .

thanks bros

Folks, for Telos caps in loose quantity and other ointment that are not supposed to work but curiously do, please call Ian on 019-5710383 for a free home demo.

Thanks Bimmerman,
As always, you always come through.

regards,

teleman51

fizi wrote:how about AV amplifier...too many to cover laaa...

after this dont know what others gadget to be manufacture to take out money from our pocket

I use it on my AV amplifier, u can actually not need cover all on ur AV Amp, i jst spend 1 or 2 pair surrounding interconnect on my AV Amp and DVD/CD player.

bimmerman wrote:Folks, for Telos caps in loose quantity and other ointment that are not supposed to work but curiously do, please call Ian on 019-5710383 for a free home demo.

What if I am not staying in the Klang Valley?

car o scope wrote:

bimmerman wrote:Folks, for Telos caps in loose quantity and other ointment that are not supposed to work but curiously do, please call Ian on 019-5710383 for a free home demo.

What if I am not staying in the Klang Valley?

Buy 1 box and test it..... hahaa

Hey guys, I'm confused! Bimmerman quoted rm25 per piece - is this XLR or RCA caps? Tycham said rm4 per piece and cardass is rm3.75 - and I guess this must be rca caps. As far as I can remember, Cardass were the guys who introduced such caps and I don't understand how cardass can be cheaper than telos or diy caps as per informed by tycham? Maybe Ian can give some quotatation too.

davidywchong wrote:
Buy 1 box and test it..... hahaa

As I said earlier lor... I want to find out the effectiveness of these caps before I buy. If I hear no difference, I might as well buy CDs with that sort of money, right?

car o scope wrote:

davidywchong wrote:
Buy 1 box and test it..... hahaa

As I said earlier lor... I want to find out the effectiveness of these caps before I buy. If I hear no difference, I might as well buy CDs with that sort of money, right?

misterslumber wrote:Hey guys, I'm confused! Bimmerman quoted rm25 per piece - is this XLR or RCA caps? Tycham said rm4 per piece and cardass is rm3.75 - and I guess this must be rca caps. As far as I can remember, Cardass were the guys who introduced such caps and I don't understand how cardass can be cheaper than telos or diy caps as per informed by tycham? Maybe Ian can give some quotatation too.

SGD($) 3.75 > RM9 for Cardas normal cap

Platinum Telos cap =RM25 about SGD10.30 so is still very cheap.

Pices extracted from this link:
http://desirableaudio.blogspot.com/2009/05/spicing-up-your-hifi-with-telos-caps.html

List prices of Telos caps:
RCA caps - Gold --------------- RM130/10pcs
RCA caps - Platinum --------- RM250/10pcs
XLR male caps - Gold -------- RM130 /pair
XLR male caps - Platinum -- RM250/pair
XLR female caps - Gold ----- RM130/pair
XLR female caps - Platinum - RM250/pair
Speaker caps - Gold ---------- RM200/4pcs
Speaker caps - Platinum ---- RM350/4pcs

Telos is carried by C&O Audiophile Enterprise 05-5456477 / 012-5269313 (Mr. John Sin)

For CD player digital out RCA jack, don't use the cap. USe this instead.



For more info, read this:
http://diyparadise.com/web/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=53&Itemid=26

Doesn't work on all CD palyers though.

car o scope wrote:

davidywchong wrote:
Buy 1 box and test it..... hahaa

As I said earlier lor... I want to find out the effectiveness of these caps before I buy. If I hear no difference, I might as well buy CDs with that sort of money, right?

I think the only way is come to klang valley & ask Ian to do some demo to you.

tycham wrote:For CD player digital out RCA jack, don't use the cap. USe this instead.
Doesn't work on all CD palyers though.

Of course it won't work on my CDP, cos its connected to seperate DAC box and the CDP serves as a transport only. Yup, its a cheap tweak. Perhaps a tiny 50 to 100pF capacitance across it may help too..I don't know. RC loading in truth.

if i read the colour bands correctly, its a 150Ohm resistor wired in parallel to give 75Ohms. So this acts like a terminator cap similar to SCSI interfaces.

Basically its to remove signal reflections so the outgoing signal is not "reflected" back into the output stage. However, there is no "transmission portion" for the termination to really work properly. And also RCA connections do not have a true 75ohm characteristic impedance unlike proper BNC and co-axial wires.

This shorting resistor will just load the SPDIF output stage unnecessarily instead.


I don't think putting any capacitor in place would help either. And you might run the risk of it becoming a short , coz at high MHz freqs, the capacitor almost becomes like a shorting wire.

Either tweaks (capacitor or resistor) are NOT recommended unless you don't mind the risk of blowing the digital output circuitry as a consequence.

Gawd Moogen!!! Where in the world do you find the space to cram all that information in your head??? You are one fascinating dude!!!

Peeps,

I think i've said enough regarding the Telos caps. I've tried it for the sole purpose of corrosion protection, not for sound. As i've said. How can??? It's impossible.

So do yourselves a favour and try them. Especially the Platinum and not too many, 1 to 3 pairs is all you need. All I will say is it may (I repeat, MAY) bring the biggest improvement to your sound. And at around RM50 a pair it's dirt cheap compared to your latest thingamagicky tweak, your RM1,000 cable or whatever.

Ignore them at your peril.

Musiclink AV selling SGD92 for a box of 10s platinum caps. Buy 3 boxes get 1 box free. Maybe that's for the gold plated one.

mugenfoo wrote:if i read the colour bands correctly, its a 150Ohm resistor wired in parallel to give 75Ohms. So this acts like a terminator cap similar to SCSI interfaces.

Basically its to remove signal reflections so the outgoing signal is not "reflected" back into the output stage. However, there is no "transmission portion" for the termination to really work properly. And also RCA connections do not have a true 75ohm characteristic impedance unlike proper BNC and co-axial wires.

This shorting resistor will just load the SPDIF output stage unnecessarily instead.


I don't think putting any capacitor in place would help either. And you might run the risk of it becoming a short , coz at high MHz freqs, the capacitor almost becomes like a shorting wire.

Either tweaks (capacitor or resistor) are NOT recommended unless you don't mind the risk of blowing the digital output circuitry as a consequence.

I think I need to go back to school.....

I am using those mbl RCA caps and they do reduce EMI/RFI.

Most RCA caps promise to reduce EMI/RFI but the Telos caps does that and then some.

it only reduces radiated EMI/RF in which unless you are staying right under Angkasapuri is really a no brainer.

to truly shield a piece of equipment from radiated RF/EMI, even the vent holes will need to be blocked off by some metallic material like aluminium foil and make sure its grounded.

Now who wants to try that on their hifi gear? wrap their precious gear in AL wrap like as if you're about to make roast chicken or Xmas turkey in an oven. hahahahahaha

Or build a Faraday cage.

Moogen, i'd loan you my Telos caps but I can't bear to be without them even for a day.

mugenfoo, I got some extra telos cap if you don't mind, i can loan to you. If you are interest, please pm me.

mugen,

you are now very popular and respected. Many people willing to loan you their hifi accessories.

I won't be surprised soon, women audiophiles throwing their panties at you and offering their hand in marriage.

Keep it up, friend.

Yup, in the land of the tone deaf audiophiles, the one eared man is king. Actually, in any land, knowledge is king and the Moogen just oozes knowledge.

By his bedside night table, must be a copy of "Hifi for Dummies".

No offense Mugen, just joking.

Actually the "XXX for Dummies" series is obselete. These days the most powerful tool is called Google!

I thought I clicked the wrong thread leh..
but checked again, it is indeed about Telos RCA/XLR caps..

mugenfoo,
You can try to compare Telos with the cheaperestest caps since can get loan units.

i also bought a box of gold, well to say, i covered every rca connector, but the sound, hmm sucks, cause it was very weird, but slowly plug out one by one now only can cover 4 , if i cover more cannot listen, to sharp the sound, the tweeter suddenly become very very ultra . when a person shouts or sings loudly, the pressure from the high freq really bites the ear,

sonyman1 wrote:i also bought a box of gold, well to say, i covered every rca connector, but the sound, hmm sucks, cause it was very weird, but slowly plug out one by one now only can cover 4 , if i cover more cannot listen, to sharp the sound, the tweeter suddenly become very very ultra . when a person shouts or sings loudly, the pressure from the high freq really bites the ear,

Now this is what I mean by Telos caps acting like BBE. Turn it up a few notches too many and the enhancement is too much. But how can it be? How is it possible to get results like sonyman has gotten by reducing EMI/RFI alone? These Telos caps do more than reduce EMI/RFI I tell you!

Sonyman, if you can, try some platinums as well. 1 to 3 pairs and not too many. Also note that you need to run these in for at least 50 hours. When you're not listening to music, plug the caps to your TV, Tuner, AV amp or whatever device with RCA jacks to let them run in.