Contact cleaning and solder
Posted by: hobiecat on 04 September 2000
for me this is the first post to this new forum.
I've a problem with mains and should like to have your advice. The mains wiring in my 9 floors building is 70 (!!!) years old and of course both
cables and connections are horribly degraded. I can access the connections which provide to serve each floor by means of derived cables from the common wire which run vertically through the floors. I should like to clean these connection as it is the only action I can take to improve the situation (the mains in my apartment has already been fully converted to "hi-fi grade" - separate spur, good sockets, etc). My question is: is a traditional spray contact cleaner (i.e. CRC) a good mean to clean these contacts? The effect should last for YEARS cause accessing to these connection is not an easy (nor a safe) matter, and, of course, the cleaner should not bring side-effects (such as undesiderable residual). Or is it better to use isopropil alcohol?
On a different issue, which brand of solder is suitable for high quality audio connections? In the past I've tried a certain number of solders and found - surprisingly for me - that different solders do make a difference to the sound, affecting timing, tune and timbre in a well audible manner! Thanks all and good listening!
Ciao,
Paolo