10/19   To the person asking about gold-plated AV cables earlier.  The reason
        they matter is because gold doesn't corrode.  If your connector gets
        corrosion, it changes the impedance of the connector.  When you don't
        match impedance, some portion of the signal will be reflected back and
        you will set up a 'standing wave' in the cable.  Since the standing
        wave is voltage which is not signal, it it noise.  Therefore, gold
        plated cables help you have a cleaner signal, but are not needed if
        your stuff is in a corrosion-free enviornment.  I don't buy 'em.
        \_ couldn't one just use some steel wool to clean up the contacts
           when the signal quality degrades?  Is that what you do? -!audiophile
           \_ That should work, but it'd be a tight squeeze.  I don't get
              corrosion. If your cables are really rusting up on you a lot,
              then gold-plated is probably worth the extra $10, but in that
              case, I fear for the internals of your electronics.  -op
           \_ Does steel wool scratch the surface and worsen the contact?
              \_ I would expect it won't matter as long as the connection is
                 still snug.  As long as there is a decent contact area there
                 won't be an impedance mismatch.  If you have corrosion the
                 entire contact surface could be messed up.