2. cables
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Spade termination for Vandersteen 2CE Signature ii

I want to terminate two sets of cables with spade connectors for a pair of Vandersteen 2CE Signature ii screw plate hook-up. Vandersteen says the max width for a spade is 7/16ths or .4375 inch. I would like to use Cardas CGMS spades, but their width is .4875 (http://www.cardas.com/cgms.php).
One cable I want to reterminate is a AudioQuest Rocket 33. It was banana plug and I stripped it to bare wire. The other set is four runs of Duelund 12AWG.

I am seeking advice on a specific spade to use for the Vandersteen screw plate. Has anyone used the CGMS (I know the specs indicate it would not fit). Any other mfg. recommendations for a spade to use?

I am connecting to a Rogue Cronus Magnum II and a Tandberg 3012A. Any advice is appreciated.


arturos73

Showing 8 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
15,663 posts
 
The AQ are crimp ons, I believe.  Make sure you have the right tool. :)

Best,
E
erik_squires
15,663 posts
 
Compared to a resistor on a printed circuit board, speaker cables require a lot more flexion.

But man, do whatever you want to. It's not really the ideal solution to use solder on these joints.


erik_squires
15,663 posts
 
Forgot one of the important things about solder vs. pressure connections:
Solder is brittle. Over time, movement will make it break or become intermittent faster than pressure connections. This is an important reason why solder is not used where two materials will flex.
erik_squires
15,663 posts
 
@ketchup


There's a difference between line level electronics and speakers.


The high current connections are between the amp and drivers, so personally I'd discourage it. Notice there are no solder joints between the power outside your house and the electrical outlet. Everything there is a pressure connection. 

Of course, there is solder used in some relatively high current places, like bridge rectifiers and primary filter caps, but the biggest power caps use screws, not solder, to connect.

Best,
E
erik_squires
15,663 posts
 
@n80

Doh!! I meant a cold weld, but really what I meant was a crimp, or crimp onto sleeves, and screws like WBT and Furutech recommend.

Solder is not a very good, high current connection, it should not be used for amp to speakers.


erik_squires
15,663 posts
 
Use a cold solder joint, not actual solder. Here's a great, top end example:


https://www.partsconnexion.com/wbt-spade-connectors.html

but for core materials copper is really hard to beat. Gold plating over copper is also good, since both are soft, and the gold adds corrosion resistance. Here are much more affordable versions:

https://www.partsconnexion.com/audioquest-spade-connectors.html


erik_squires
15,663 posts
 
also, I find soft connectors work best. Hard, rhodium plated materials have a tough time gripping.
erik_squires
15,663 posts
 
I really love the WBT spring loaded spades. They grip really well.

Best,
E
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