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!
Your speakers have the raised ridges (like vintage McIntosh or Fisher) to separate each spade or ring, and those ridges keep a single leg spade from rotating while tightening. Another idea is to make short jumpers, proper size spade for the speaker, and a screw terminal sized for the cable spades. Think resale, this might keep the spades intact. |
You might like these https://www.transparentcable.com/products/transparent-spade-to-mini-bar-spade-adapter
$80. bucks never killed anybody" (watch the movie 'used cars') |
Maybe I missed something on my quick read, but it would make far more sense to replace the oddball terminals on your speakers with a high quality binding post for your spades. I would never re-terminate these cables--too many ways to screw it up. Adapters are often inferior alloys that are total nonstarter for me. You could install the new posts in parallel with the original ones so both could be used. Connect the proper wires to your new posts and then use a high quality jumper wire (neotech) to go back to the original terminal. |
Wow, thanks for all the responses! Although these cables are new, I did not buy them from a dealer so I have no recourse against one to make it right. I spoke to a rep at Clarus twice asking if they could switch out the spade and was told no both times. I'm going to try once more, hopefully with a different rep. I do agree that I should do my best to avoid modifying them. Though I think today if I can just get them attached (modified) I'll be good from here on but things could change and I may want to sell them. So, do not modify the cables. Two gentlemen put forth the adapter idea which may be a great place to start to get me by indefinitely. This would buy me time to explore adding new posts or maybe a change of speakers at some point. Thanks again, I greatly appreciate the help!
|
