The contact pins are made out of deoxidized phosphorus bronze and machined out of a single piece, for the best possible conductivity.

The feedstock is made out of a bolt 14 mm in diameter that weights 70 grams. The machining has to be done with a highly sophisticated CNC lathe, in order to archive the highest precision on this complex shape.

Plating

In order to improve the sound quality the plating is a very important issue. Therefore our contacts are free of any nickel plating. Instead, we hand polish the metal parts twice. Only by means of this costly process can we achieve a mirror- like surface, and a proper base for the final gold or rhodium plating. This mirror- like finish is a prerequisite for producing clear and vivid sound.

For the Oyaide P-046e model, Super thick (1.5 micron) 24K Gold plating is applied directly on the polished surface of the receptacle and blade and is then polished twice again. A final plating of Palladium (0.3 micron) is applied and polished twice again.

The quality and choice of plating materials alters the sound dramatically. Where the Silver/ Rhodium sounds pure and bold, the Gold sounds warm, spacious and luxurious and Gold / Palladium is pure, vivid and extended. Any one of the three is far above standard "audiophile" grade connectors. It's up to you to choose which suits your taste and system most.