El: Due to variances in circuit design, especially with a high gain circuit like a phono stage, it is possible for a preamp to go into oscillation with a dead short at the input. Resistive shunts basically close the circuit and any "foreign signals" are resistively absorbed via the impedance of the resistor used for the shunt without loading down any other circuitry that may be connected through poor design / crosstalk. Then again, i know i'm preaching to the choir when talking to you about stuff like this. Others may not know how stuff like this works, hence the explanation.
Ross: I don't think i want to know what you were planning to do with the aluminum foil, but thanks for making mention of this anyhow. It made me think about the foil touching both the female and male part of the RCA, which would act as a shunt or short circuit rather than just a shield. While this might be okay for most inputs, it would definitely be a BIG "no-no" for any unused outputs. As such, one should check to see if their female RCA jacks as mounted on the chassis of a component have the center conductor recessed or if they are flush with the outer section. If they are recessed, this is not a big deal. If they are about even with the ground terminal, be careful if trying to make "Elizabeth shields" out of foil : ) Sean
>
