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How to correctly lock WBT''s?

99.44.251.110
Posted on September 7, 2015 at 12:44:08
BenE
Audiophile

Posts: 405
Location: midwest
Joined: March 18, 2012
 Sorry for the pedestrian question, but I'm using a new IC and have never used WBT connectors. I'm finding the center pin goes into the amp and pre RCA and then I have to turn counter clockwise to get it tight. If I go clockwise the WBT body goes forward but can't be tightened. There are threads on the amp RCA and the WBT but nothing that 'holds'. I tried that way and get hum. It's only when I tighten counterclockwise that I get a snug connection and that moves the WBT cover back away from the RCA while the center pin remains inside fully. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Happy Labor Day

 

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Not only are they a......, posted on September 7, 2015 at 14:00:36
Basslines
Audiophile

Posts: 373
Location: The Great White North
Joined: October 22, 2003
 ....pain in the arse to use, they don't sound very good either. The correct way to use them is to cut them off and replace them with ETI Bullets or something else good sounding.
Sorry, just my opinion.

 

RE: How to correctly lock WBT''s?, posted on September 7, 2015 at 15:21:43
Neil G
Dealer

Posts: 274
Location: Saskatchewan
Joined: May 4, 2003
 Turning the barrel counter clockwise is the correct way to tighten a WBT. I know it seems counter-intuitive that counter clockwise would tighten, but that is correct. Be sure to not over tighten...just snug.

 

Correct, posted on September 7, 2015 at 15:52:03
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 The most expeditious method:

1. Loosen the locking barrel just a bit, but not enough for the barrel to become detached from the connector body.

2. Push the center pin of the connector into the rca jack slot until the connector is fully inserted into the jack.

3. Firmly grasp the back of the rca connector (the cable entry point of the connector body) with one hand, then with the other hand gently tighten the barrel counter-clockwise, just until the barrel does not *wiggle*.

Avoid tightening the barrel any more than this, since it's counter-productive to do so. Any more torque than that simple factor can actually degrade performance, IME.

 

RE: Correct, posted on September 7, 2015 at 17:17:21
BenE
Audiophile

Posts: 405
Location: midwest
Joined: March 18, 2012
 Hi Duster,
Thanks very much. The instructions I had said clockwise, hence my confusion.
By the way this is the VH Audio v-twist cu 24. I'm just beginning to use it, however, I can say this far it has proved to be a nice combination of beauty and finesse without obscuring detail and muscularity when called upon. I'm impressed by what I'm hearing this far.

 

RE: How to correctly lock WBT''s?, posted on September 7, 2015 at 17:43:35
BenE
Audiophile

Posts: 405
Location: midwest
Joined: March 18, 2012
 Thanks much. Thought I was losing my mind...

 

RE: Correct, posted on September 9, 2015 at 13:57:51
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 I'm glad to know you are pleased with the V-Twist. I can't detect any sonic weakness to find fault in. It's nothing but a good thing, to my ear.

 

RE: Correct, posted on September 9, 2015 at 16:17:40
BenE
Audiophile

Posts: 405
Location: midwest
Joined: March 18, 2012
 Hi Duster,
Yes I'm enjoying the VH ic thus far. My system is likely 'softer'' than yours, although, it's not mushy by any means. All tube amp and pre VTL. The only thing I have noticed is a very slight, and this is early on, lack of 'jump' in the drums on some recordings compared to a silver ic (clear day) that has a host of other issues compared to the VH. Other than that observation, that may be an early artifact, I am very impressed by the cable across the board. I am also happy with my experience with Chris.
I should add that my note regarding the drums puzzles me because overall this is a very dynamic cable.
In other news I wonder about the ChEla speaker cable. I have some Kimber 12tc and wonder if they are similar. In my system I prefer the Clear Day double shotgun...

Thanks again

 

RE: Correct, posted on September 10, 2015 at 10:47:35
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 "I can't detect any sonic weakness to find fault in."

You don't read that in the Asylum very often!

Dave

 

RE: How to correctly lock WBT''s?, posted on September 10, 2015 at 18:56:15
PingPing
Audiophile

Posts: 196
Joined: May 22, 2014
 Hi BenE, I have used WBT's but I very much prefer the new KLEI Harmony RCA :)

 

RE: How to correctly lock WBT''s?, posted on September 10, 2015 at 20:31:17
jtube
Audiophile

Posts: 351
Joined: January 7, 2001
 According to the Galen Carol Homepage this is how to use WBT locking RCA's

Locking RCA Connectors -

The Proper Way to Use Them


Some interconnect cables are fitted with so-called locking male RCA connectors (most notably made by WBT of Germany, but there are other brands as well). These connectors feature a rotating barrel with a narrowing tip that applies increasing pressure to the ground flanges with clockwise rotation. Turning the barrel counter-clockwise reduces the pressure. The idea is that tightening the grip of the male RCA on the female RCA improves contact and therefore performance. The key to realizing the potential of these connectors is their proper use.

Most people would assume that you simply loosen the barrel, mate the male and female connectors and tighten the barrel to "lock" them together - but that's not the way they are designed to work.

Tightening the barrel after the two connectors are mated does not result in the tightest possible contact and the connection will likely loosen over time. The reason is that the plastic thread on the body is so coarse that it locks as soon as it meets resistance. Not only do you not get the tightest initial contact, it will also tend to slip with time, loosening quite dramatically in some cases.

Instead, the barrel should be seen as a tensioning device: set it - push the plug onto the socket - if it's loose, remove the plug, tighten the sleeve slightly and insert again. Repeat until you have a nice, positive connection. It may be a bit tedious, but it guarantees not only the optimum connection, but one that stays tight.

Remember that prior to making any connection; be sure both connectors are scrupulously clean. Our preference for the best, zero-residue cleaner is Kontak. Read more about cleaning your connectors in our article "How to Improve Your System For Free (Almost!).

 

RE: How to correctly lock WBT''s?, posted on September 11, 2015 at 06:23:05
BenE
Audiophile

Posts: 405
Location: midwest
Joined: March 18, 2012
 Thank you. I am a bit confused as I have received (see other posts) advice that counter clockwise is the right approach...

 

RE: How to correctly lock WBT''s?, posted on September 12, 2015 at 12:59:38
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 Just understand that the method of tightening a locking barrel WBT connector is counter-intuitive. As such, a counter-clockwise rotation will tighten the connector barrel.

 

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