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Speaker Cable Banana Plug Breakage

Hi Folks,
I could seriously use some help with a banana plug issue. The thin gold plated pieces that splay apart on the end of my banana plug have broken off and now, I'm having some conductivity issues. I used a test CD and there is obviously a reason for concern. These are older Hi Diamond speaker cables and while they sound wonderful, the build quality might leave a little to be desired. Right now, the banana plug end is a minuscule gold pointed spear and I'wondering if there isn't something that I could do without causing a sound contrast between the two speakers? I'm pretty certain that Cullen Cables can help me with his issue but I need to buy myself some time before having them properly repaired. Any help would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks!
128x128goofyfoot
toddverrone's avatar
toddverrone
840 posts
 
Those nerve audio BFA banana plugs I linked to are beryllium copper with a silver plating. I use them on the speaker cables I make and they sound great. The monoprice banana I’d stay away from, they’re certainly brass.

@perfectpathtech - you are a sweet human. And yes, there is technique to making a good connection. But the man sounds like he’s good with his hands and could definitely do it himself. Plus, the stock connectors are held in place with set screws, it sounds like. As long as he buys connectors made from good materials, it’s very likely they’ll be as least as good as stock. I never like set screws as a way to attach connectors. But heck, if I were him I’d take you up on your offer as well!
goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot OP
1,383 posts
 
The response from HiDiamond;
'removing banana is really simple.

turn and unscrew the silver ring, will see two screws, I have to unlock them and then lift the broken banana and insert a new banana that you can buy via internet in USA Shop or yes is possible use bare wire . the important thing is not to contact the other terminal'

perfectpathtech's avatar
perfectpathtech
236 posts
 
Not sure what the wire is but I will assume its copper, it will most certainly have oxidation,  Polish it, clean with
alcohol then re-terminate.   
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,212 posts
 
@toddverrone
The monoprice suggestion was a temporarily solution since no tool required.
goofyfoot say:
I need to buy myself some time before having them properly repaired.
The HiDiamond surely deserve better connectors! 
goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot OP
1,383 posts
 
Thanks All! I did remove the banana plug and pulled back the shielding to expose more of the cable. The shielding split some in one place but a little silicon epoxy could fix it. I used a micro cloth to turn the end of the cable wire. When I took the plug off, I had a fat stub. The cable wire is too fat to completely fit in the Quad 2905 post but I got it to work and tightened down the post. One would think with these HiDiamond cables that better plugs would be standard however these are earlier cables so maybe that has changed. But great customer service! The BFA plugs do look like a simple but effective solution. The Cardas look nice as well. Hard to decide.
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