What is the recommended connection for the shielding for RCA? Connected to ground at source, both ends or none at all?

[Urowolf]

What is the recommended connection for the shielding for RCA? Connected to ground at source, both ends or none at all?

 

[microstrip]

The more recommended connection is connecting the shield only at the connector connected to the component supplying the signal - source or preamplifier. But I have seen RCA cables from known manufacturers connecting the shield at both sides.

 

[Urowolf]

That seems to be the prevalent recommendation. AI tells me that connecting both ends provides better protection from interference.

 

[mtemur]

That seems to be the prevalent recommendation. AI tells me that connecting both ends provides better protection from interference.

I recommend connecting shield only at the source. If you connect shield at both ends the cable will have a doubled ground connection and possibly a ground loop.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Always use only one side, and plug it into the low-impedance side (output). The high-impedance input would then act like an antenna. Therefore, many cables indicate the direction.