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Changing out Spades

Hello -

I recently purchased Clarus Crimson biwire speaker cables. However, their spades are too wide to fit my Vandersteen Quatro Speakers. 

The barrier strips on the Quatro's allow for 7/16" max width, spades on the Clarus are 1/2". I thought I could squeeze them in somehow but can't.

So, I'm considering purchasing Audioquest 507 Series Multi-Spades to change out to. I was assured by Audioquest that those spades do fit in the Quatro barrier strip. My plan was to simply cut off the existing spades on the Clarus cables, peel a bit of casing back, and mount the Audioquest spades. 

Is there anything wrong or concerning with doing this?

Thank you for any response!

rbschauman
gkelly's avatar
gkelly
1,040 posts
 

Another option is call the company and ask if it is viable to have you do the switch understanding that you were going to void the warranty. My biggest concern is, are you changing the metals on the spades? With the cost of those speaker cables, I would believe that the company would have taken that into consideration

gkelly's avatar
gkelly
1,040 posts
 

https://share.google/xmnhNg3jmdx51yKDu

rbschauman OP
177 posts
 

gkelly,

Thank you for your additional thoughts: greatly appreciated! Time for me to put a pause on this.

I share your biggest concern of changing the metal of the spade. I also concern myself with properly fastening to the complex makeup the Clarus has.

Another conversation with Clarus is the first thing I'll do and go from there.  

Thanks again for looking out for me.

lordmelton's avatar
lordmelton
1,181 posts
 

I see your problem after checking out your speakers.

I’m surprised your dealer won’t make it right. I wouldn’t recommend re-terminating because they look precision made. Something you could consider is filing off 1/32nd off each side of the spade which will bring the spade into spec and won’t affect the conductive area.

Don’t use a file rub the spade on wet/dry paper 400 grit, practice fitting after every few sandings.

Practice on a spare spare first.

rbschauman OP
177 posts
 

lordmelton,

I've been considering filing 1/32nd off each side. That I ran past Clarus and they thought it to be a potential solution. I asked if I screw up, can they replace the 1/2" spade that it's originally fitted with and they said yes, at my expense.

 Thing about it is that their spade is a "generous" 1/2" and thus having to remove a "generous" 1/32" each side wouldn't leave much spades forks. 

Also of note is that the spades are military-grade beryllium copper that are specifically designed as "Spring-Tension" spade lugs, utilizing the copper's natural springiness to keep their shape so I can't bend the forks inward a bit to narrow the outer dimension. Beryllium copper is also toxic when processed in ways that create dust (e.g., grinding, machining, welding). Inhaling beryllium particles can cause fatal lung disease (chronic beryllium disease) and is a known human carcinogen. 

This is a tuff one!

Thanks

 

 

 

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