|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
74.248.242.87
I've always used spades but am tired of them. Why arent bananas as good as spades? Who makes the best quality bananas regardless of price?
Follow Ups:
a
Spades are better accepted by audiophiles due to the high torque, large surface area afforded by that type of design. Banana connectors are divided into a number of types: conventional (with a few variations), higher mass locking-type bananas, and BFA connectors (which are not bananas per se but have the same functionality).
Conventional bananas: a metal rod with leaf spring contacts (a few variations thereof).
Locking bananas: a split solid metal prong with a threaded metal rod positioned within the split that's adjusted by a thumb screw in order to provide moderate torque within the banana slot of a binding post.
BFA connector: a rolled hollow metal tube with spring-like flanges located on the edges of the tube.
Available base metals and platings include gold, silver, rhodium (and some are unplated), over tellurium copper, beryllium copper, or brass.
All of these connectors present a characteristic sonic signature that can be selected for system tuning purposes, as well as the convenience of being quick-disconnect capable connectors. What is "the best" will be in the ear of the beholder. However, there are particular make/models that tend to be better appreciated than others, with word of mouth reputation (good or bad) being of great value to smart shoppers...
Hi Duster,
Do you have any opinion on the Nordost speaker cable Z-plug terminations? I've been using them for a while now and they seem to have a minimal impact on the sound.
Thanks,
Joe
I agree Joe, I love the Nordost Z-plug. After decades of fighting with spades, I can now live happily with bananas. :)
To answer your question, I have no experience of the Nordost Z-plug, but I think it's pretty much the same as the Multi-Contact LS4, which is a good thing, IME.
The loss-mass Nordost Z-plug is a BFA connector. I like the set-screw termination type direct gold plated AudioQuest CF-BFA gold BFA connector, the silver plated AudioQuest CF-BFA should also be good.
The simple body-less Multi-Contact LS4 Banana Plug (BFA connector) is good, too. Inexpensive...
I agree Duster, the Multi-Contact LS4 Banana Plug looks like it would work well, especially since I am a fan of crimping. I think in general, the long, low mass BFA or Z-plug type banana may work better than audiophiles would believe because as the cable hangs, the cable weight and gravity will sustain a continual contact of the banana with the inside of the post. I crank my spades down pretty hard, and I am not going to run out and buy bananas, but I have had a spade or two loosen up over time and I suspect these bananas might not be susceptible to that. My ideal would be one made from gold-plated PCOCC copper but most appear to use a phospor bronze base metal. I have linked one that looks interesting because of the use of OFC base metal, but I personally don't like how you would have to connect the wire - if I used them I would probably solder them.
Joe
"People say" bananas aren't as good because they don't fit as tight even though they seem to have a larger contact surface area. WBT makes a banana that tightens once inserted. I'm pretty sure others do as well.
ET
They give a good tight fit, and I prefer them to spades.
Jack
Post a Followup:
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: