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  3. 175662-20253

Looking for pure copper or Cu/Au bananas

Hello friends,

Trying to order a new set of DIY speaker cables. I have most of the connectors but need to order two pairs to replace bad Furutech bananas.

The requirements:

  • Solid copper or gold over copper. Absolutely NO brass core.
  • Screw down wire connections.  No soldering
  • Either fully insulated or easy to insulate, so nothing with a metal housing.
  • Less than $80

Suggestions?

erik_squires
akgwhiz
184 posts
 

Erik, after my first time DIY IC cable build I'd agree that soldering (well) can be hard, but it IS definitely hard for KLEI RCAs.  However the bananas are quite easy if you use the toothpick trick i was given.  Just jam it inside the solder tube to hold the wires flush and secure while working.  Pull out when set.  I know you'd knock it out and Partsconnexion has them on sale.  $99 now $74.   Like others claim, they have a tapered tip but fully round shaft, and spring-like fit once in.  They are very tight.  

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 

I like banana plugs. My most important criteria is that they have to be locking. You can heat shrink over anything but the appearance can be crude if that matters to you.

erik_squires OP
16,114 posts
 

Erik, after my first time DIY IC cable build I’d agree that soldering (well) can be hard, but it IS definitely hard for KLEI RCAs

Sir, who do you think I am?? 😤 😂

@akgwhiz the issue isn’t whether I have the kit, it’s whether I like soldering for speaker connections. No, I do not. Mechanical connections are better. This is why your house panel with 200 Amps doesn’t use any soldering at all, nor do any of the breaker connections.

akgwhiz
184 posts
 

Should I?  All kidding aside, I offered that as encouragement to "other folk" to not avoid solder.  Your reason for the choice  wasn't stated.  I'm a rank beginner DIY unlike others here.  Among the posters here, there are a handful I always read and learn from and you're among them.  Thanks for the Sir reference though.   Wait, doesn't that make me sound old?  

mrdecibel
3,063 posts
 

Eric, not only will you hear many improvements between your old and the new speaker cables ( I do question the higher frequencies of the newer cable ), you will enjoy, and question, the break in period, as there WILL be a break in period. I remember re-terminating my Deltron bananas for the Furez. Deltron = single hold down screw. Furez = crimp, no solder. After a very long break in period ( 3 weeks of 24/7 play ), the Furez started to compliment my system, as the performances were enhanced. After 2 months, they had completely broken in. Good luck.....Enjoy ! MrD.

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