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Bananas vs. Spades

I bought some older Audioquest cables (Crystal) for shotgun biwire from McCormack DNA 0.5 dlx to Vandersteen 2cis. These cables are big and heavy. I am sending them to AQ to be terminated and I have two options for the speaker end (Vandys have factor bananas at about 30" off floor). Could use bananas as intended with supports to prevent weight of wire from damaging speaker termination or (worse) the banana jacks on the speakers. AQ technician recommends using spades and then a spade to banana adaptor that fits up close to the speaker and allows the wire's weight to pull straight down, with weight much closer to the fulcrum (so to speak). What do you all think? I fear a loss of sound quality by using two connections, but there is also an advantage in having spades on both ends for re-use or re-sale. Any advice appreciated. Thanks.
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lak's avatar
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lak
4,529 posts
 
Use bare connections and/or spades. Over the years I have found they work best!
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swampwalker OP
5,138 posts
 
Lak & Dekay- I still have to use bananas at the speaker becuase Vandys have female banana receptacles, no binding post at all. Only question is whether to use spades with spade to banana adaptor or straight in with the banana. The straight in option is probably better sound wise, but the concern is the weight of the cable damaging the banana or the speaker receptacle. Thanks again.
carl_eber
1,425 posts
 
I agree on the resale issue, hardly anybody likes bananas (I do, however). Also, I agree on the extra connection, especially if this adaptor is mostly brass (which I bet it is).
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dekay
5,351 posts
 
Swampwalker: I get it now. As you said, I would skip the extra connector if possible though I do not have any suggestions for supporting the cable. And, I know what you mean about the clumsiness of the fat cables as I have difficulty keeping my HT power cord at a 90% angle from the back my CD player. I tried blocking it with a square of marble but it seemed to effect the isolation system used on the CD player, so now it hangs again. If the speakers are out of warrenty have you considered switching the posts to something better? This may improve the sound as well as give you more flexability and I would consider it to be an upgrade on an already good design.
garfish
1,840 posts
 
Hi Swampwalker; I have used Kimber 8VS (heavy) speaker cables biwired into Vandersteen 2Ces banana plugs for years with no problem. At one time I tried a banana to spade adaptor and did not like it as it was "loose and floppy", but name brand and good material. I'd suggest using your bananas "straight in" and if necessary use a heavy nylon wire tie (12") around the 2Ces rear base and your audioquest wire-- for support of the weight if you feel that's necessary. These long, stout nylon wire ties are available at auto supply stores. I also use them to support my heavy power cords at the wall outlet, and they have other uses in "wire" management . I installed a hanging lamp hook above the AC outlet to "tie" the power cord to. Works great. Cheers. Craig.
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