(page 2)

Use

I find the pen format very flexible and appropriate for what it needs to do. Sprays often treat more then intended and can run, and liquid applications are often excessive. The pen format allows me to deliver just the right amount of treatment in just the right spot. I always treat the metal surface in moderation, just enough to cover the surface with a thin film. I then wipe it clean with either the lint-free polypropylene wipe or with the lint-free swabs. If necessary I repeat this process until the wipe no longer shows discoloration.

Performance

I have the ProGold pen for a little over two years now, and during this time it has seen its fair share of use in a spectrum of applications. Its most noticeable effect is with used gear that sport connectors that have already seen fair amount of use. With time all connectors get dirty, even if they appear clean. How many times have you touched the ends of an interconnect cable or the RCA plugs of your preamplifier (accidentally or by intent)? Every time you do so you deposit a fine layer of grease, moisture, and organic matter. The environment too slowly works its way into the surface layers of the metal contacts. That is why I have it as a rule to treat any and all gear that I purchase second hand.

Take a look at the picture above. What you see is a dirty swab right next to a clean one for comparison purposes. The dirty one is the result of cleaning all the RCA connectors on a single integrated amplifier I purchased some time ago over the net. Although the unit was, as advertised, in excellent condition the connectors were never cleaned during its former two-year use. Using just one swab to wipe away ProGold it took me a good half-hour to thoroughly clean all the connectors. The result was literally like a breath of fresh air. After the ProGold treatment the integrated amplifier was noticeably more alive: It had better dynamics, more air and more detail.

On the other hand my experience with new gear and new cables with new plugs is that of a more subtle effect. Now "new" is quite a relative term. You may have bought it new but surprise, surprise - the unit may also have been assembled half a year beforehand and the connectors may have very well been sourced from a year old supply. So applying ProGold on new gear does not hurt, in fact it exercises those "preservative and lubricant" aspects of the product, consequently preventing or at least slowing down contact erosion. Though beneficial, applying ProGold on new connectors or plugs has never "blown me away" (in a positive sense) - contrary to some claims by others. Therefore I don't have it as a rule to always treat new gear as I do with used or old gear. The exception being with AC power connectors and connections: As a practice I always treat those new or old. Ditto when I assemble my own.

Conclusion

Caig ProGold is an excellent product. It is widely used in the industry and recognized as beneficial for all contacts. My take on it is that it really makes sense with older connectors, those that have seen fair amount of use. The resulting increase in sound quality after treating such connectors easily justifies the product's modest cost. Whilst I will always treat and clean the connectors of used or second hand equipment I'm not in a hurry to do the same with connectors on new products. Sure, with enough elapsed time I will inevitably end up treating those too. Recommended.

If you would like to comment on this tweak or suggest improvements to it, please click here.

Comments (add)


Stefan	wd40 works just as good and is a hell of a lot cheaper jus lahk me. an remember acetic acid iz evun cheeeeeper ya know...........vinegar

Brian	I recently cleaned all cables into my system with Progold, but I think I overdid it. The system took on a bit of a glare, which is slowly burning off. No question it does 'clean' up the sound, and I highly recommend it, but apply it properly!

The Caig ProGold Pen