The main problem with copper is after awhile it has tarnished which reduces to current, and yeah you can polish you plug ends, You are NOT gonna be able to polish your duplex metal parts. The first reason for plating them is corrosion.The fact is the plating colors the sound. Gold, Silver Platinum (Oyaides stopped offering the Platinum??) Rhodium, PalladiumSilver tarnishes too but??

