Yannis Tome Audio Cable Designs
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Star-line RCAs

The Star-line connectors are some of the best value for money RCA style plugs we have come across. They combine an excellent choice of materials, some of the most efficient RCA design principles to date and good build quality while they remain affordable.

Star-line is not a brand name but a patented design. The name comes from its star-shaped insulation which forms the dielectric and backing/collar of the ground pin. Over the past 8 years, this identical star-line design has appeared on numerous branded RCA products (MS audio, Graham Nalty / Black Rhodium, AECO etc). Dozens of audio companies who outsource connectors are currently using the star-line RCAs re-branded and sold on their own products at various prices.

The starlines are designed, patented and produced by AECO in Taiwan. The AECO factory produces them and distributes them as OEM & ODM products in various versions but more recently they have started selling them under their own brand name, too.

The Starline RCAs effectively use many of the ideas that were introduced by Keith Louis Eichmann on his ETI “Bullet Plug” featuring a low mass, single point ground design. Despite their minimal  appearance, these connectors will perform much better than their price suggests. In our opinion they are some of the best RCA connectors that are available in this price range and we would highly recommend them for any hi-fidelity cable.

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The AECO branded versions feature high conductivity base contact materials (Tellurium copper signal pin and pure copper ground tag) and very thick gold, silver or rhodium plating directly deposited onto the surface of the base metal (nickel free) . A pure silver version (99.9%) is also available.

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ARP 4045G

Signal pin: Tellurium Copper (C14500, >99% copper)

Ground pin: Pure Copper (C1100, . 99.5% Copper)

Plating: Gold (10u, nickel free)

Insulation: Nylon (glass fiber reinforced)

Housing: Brass (C3604, nickel plated))

ARP 4045S

Signal pin:Tellurium Copper (C14500, >99% copper)

Ground pin: Pure Copper (C1100, . 99.5% Copper)

Plating: Silver (120u, nickel free)

Insulation: Nylon (glass fiber reinforced)

Housing: Brass (C3604, nickel plated)

ARP 4045R

Signal pin: Tellurium Copper (C14500, >99% copper)

Ground pin: Pure Copper (C1100, . 99.5% Copper)

Plating: Rhodium (nickel free)

Insulation: Nylon (glass fiber reinforced)

Housing: Brass (C3604, nickel plated)

ARP 4055

Signal pin: Pure Silver (>99.9%)

Ground pin: Pure Silver (>99.9%)

Plating: None

Insulation: Nylon (glass fiber reinforced)

Housing: Brass (C3604 nickel plated)

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AECO ARP-4045s - 1

Other than the branded AECO versions, the Starline RCAs are produced using a wide range of materials depending on the individual requirements. The OEM versions we offer, feature a hollow central, signal pin made of Tellurium copper and a ground pin made of pure copper. These are available with gold, silver or rhodium plating. There is the option to have these plugs with either a metal housing or with a plastic one. We can also offer the option of a fully grounded metal housing which achieves full shielding from EMI/RFI, not only by reflection but also by conducting any unwanted energy to the ground.

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Yannis Tomé Audio Cables, 36 Dinas Terrace, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 1BT, UK - email: info@back-promo.co.uk

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