SKU: ETI-Silver-Bulletplug ETI Research Silver Bullet RCA Plug

ETI Bullet Plugs - RCA Connector - the best connector for optimising the performance of RCA terminated cables.

• Unplated fine Silver (99.99%) or Tellurium Copper only. No Brass, no Nickel. Clean, unrestrained conductivity for the purest listening experience.
• Patented design. Single-point star ground eliminates eddy currents and reduces electron turbulence.
• Elegant geometry creates low mass conductors for reduced capacitive and inductive reactance, while high strength polymer parts minimise EMF, EFI and RFI influences.

The ETI BulletPlug represents a radical departure from conventional RCA designs. The ETI BulletPlug is a minimalist design for maximum performance. Thickness, mass, materials, and contact surface area have been optimised to maintain signal integrity better than any RCA connector on the market. Most audio / video cables are made from highly conductive annealed Copper or Silver wires - terminated with low conductive, nickel and gold-plated brass RCA plugs. Annealed copper has a conductivity rating of at least 100% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard).

Specifically the traditional return / ground collar impairs electron flow through:

• Eddy current distortion - as electrons proceed to and from the RCA socket into the collar through multiple contact points the equivalent of electron turbulence occurs. Signal degradation results.
• Capacitive distortion - where gaps exist between the socket and collar.
• Micro-arcing distortion - an electrical short that can occur where gaps exist between the socket and collar.

RCA plugs are coaxial designs (metal return / ground surrounding signal pin) where an impedance effect is naturally occurring. Impedance has a varied and adverse impact on performance.

The ETI BulletPlug solves this with a return pin that makes single point contact with the side wall of an RCA socket - concentrating electrons to one point thereby reducing distortion. In our patented design, This is a similar approach to “star earthing (grounding)” used in amplifiers. For ultra conductivity ETI also offers the BulletPlug in pure silver. Utilising the same patented RCA blueprint, the Silver ETI BulletPlug provides enhanced conductivity for what is arguably the absolute best level of performance available. The quality of the RCA plug can have a disproportionate effect on the final performance of the system. This is easy to understand when two points are taken into consideration.

• The delicate nature of the tiny millivolt-level signals flowing through a system’s interconnect, digital, and video cables
• The number of times these signals cumulatively travel through RCA connectors (usually low-conductive ones) enroute to their destination

Specifications:

• Conductors: Tellurium Copper or Pure 4N Silver
• Construction: High strength, temperature resistant, electrically inert polymer over-moulds and injection moulded parts
• Impedance: determined by the cable
• Housings: ABS polymer (ID 9.25mm, total length 37.5mm) or Aluminium (ID 9.25mm, 44mm, colours: black, gold or silver)

Eichmann Bullet Plug housing options.

Optional Rubber Grommets for Thin Cables - supplied as a set of 4.

Connecting the Bullet Plug to Your Cables

Please note - before you connect the Bullet Plug to cables we advise that you allow the polymer of the plug to adjust to the RCA socket. Simply heat the Bullet Plug flange (red or black section of plug) gently with a hairdryer, insert into socket and allow the polymer to cool.

The Bullet Plug connector is a product that needs to be handled delicately. The return pin of the Bullet Plug is small and not as robust as the return on standard RCA plugs. Of course this also accounts for the improved sound quality.

The Bullet Plug is designed to accept any interconnect, digital or video cable up to 9mm diameter. This accounts for most cables. (Large cables can also be accommodated if you strip the outer sheath and feed the insulated conductors through the housing.)

Step 1
Unscrew the plastic housing and slide the cable through. The front section of the Bullet Plug comprises two contact pins - the signal (large pin) and return (small pin). Both pins have a solder platform at the rear of the pin that is thinner than the rest of the pin.

The platform heats up rapidly allowing quick and easy soldering. This means your soldering iron needs only minimal time in contact with the pins to melt solder. Excess contact time with the soldering iron may deform the plastic polymer housing.

Here's a tip. Insert the Bullet Plug into a secured, but unconnected RCA socket first. This will free up both hands and allow more precise soldering. Always support the cable throughout the soldering process, so the weight of the cable does not exert undue force on the pins.

Step 2
Tin both the wire and platform. And please only use enough solder to make a good connection - don't drown the platform in solder. For best results use eutectic (flowing type) solder or solder with high silver content together with a flux.

Step 3
Solder the return conductor to the return (small) pin. If the return conductor of your cable comprises multiple strands - twist these together and tin before connecting to the return pin. If the return conductor is in the form of a braid - split the braid, gently twist and tin before connecting to the return pin.

Ensure that the return conductor is formed (eg. You may need to gently bend the conductor) so the conductor sits flush in the soldering platform. The objective is to have the return conductor sit comfortably in the solder platform without pressure or stress on the wire.

The small dimension of the return pin can make soldering large groups of wires difficult, however the small size of the pin also contributes to the dramatic sound improvement of the Bullet Plug over standard RCA plugs. As you complete the connection to the return pin, you may notice that the return pin can rotate with the tension of the conductor. This is normal. Simply rotate the pin to a comfortable angle in relation to the signal pin. When you screw down the outer housing, the return pin is locked in this position.

Step 4
Solder the signal conductor to the centre (large) pin.

Step 5
Reattach housing. When reattaching the housing continue to support the cable to avoid undue force on the pins. For 9mm diameter cables, use a silicon spray on the cable to allow smooth rotation of the outer housing.

Step 6
Secure the grub screw to support the cable. Avoid penetrating the cable - a gentle securing action is all that is required.

Step 7
Enjoy better sound! Take your time, prepare your conductors prior to connection, use good solder - and benefit from the improved signal transmission the Bullet Plug can provide. Please note: The Bullet Plug is a firm fit on RCA sockets to start. The polymer used in the plug is designed to adjust after a few hours on the socket.

Using Cables with Bullet Plug Connectors

If you're using a cable incorporating Bullet Plug connectors you may find the plug is a firm fit on RCA sockets to start. This is normal. For some reason RCA sockets tend to vary in size, so Eichmann designed the Bullet Plug to cater to most (if not all) sizes. The polymer used in the plug is a special PBT and glass fibre blend that allows the plug to adjust (and stay adjusted) after a few hours on the socket.

The objective is for the Bullet Plug to be a firm, secure fit on all sockets. For ease of initial connection to RCA sockets heat the Bullet Plug flange (red or black section of plug) gently with a hairdryer prior to inserting into socket. Please do not force the plug onto a socket!

Compatible with ALL RCA sockets!