This is a bad example. Aux cables use analog signals therefore signal integrity actually matters for sound quality. If this was a cable used for digital signals like SPDIF of HDMI or USB then it wouldn't effect quality; that being said using gold or another coating (someone mentioned chrome nickel) will help with reliability and corrosion over time.

[–] hansvonwurst@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

It's actually a good example. Putting aside corrosion, there is no difference in sound (that's what the meme is about). Coming to corrosion: oxidation will increase the contact resistance which is not frequency dependent. So, at max, it will make the signal slightly smaller but not "worse".

Actually, mixing gold-plated plugs and tinned receptacle contacts is even worse considering the mismatch in contact resistance