Not Chinese Fakes But Not big $$$ Either
Tired and bored after reading 11 pages of posts about Chinese Counterfeit Cables (guilty of a couple entries myself), and looking for a DYI project, I decided to split the difference between Cheap Fakes and outrageous prices for name brand American made cables. After doing lots of research and reading I selected bulk "CHELA" speaker cable from VHAudio https://www.vhaudio.com/speakercables.html and connectors, shrink tube etc, from AV Outlet https://www.avoutlet.com/av-cables-connectors/av-connectors/speaker/furez-sp8-wp38xlnp/
This has been a fun project and a first for me. The total cost was +/- $400 per 8 foot cable. Given the quality of materials, such as 48 strand OCC copper wires, which translates to 10 AWG, I think the cost is very reasonable. I try to build as much as I can but mostly it has been woodworking in the past. I encourge everyone to try their hand at projects. It's always more rewarding than shoveling cash at retailers. If you're interested, here's the project in detail.
Cheers
@carlsbad Re the copper purity, the Banana Plugs are 93% copper but the SP series spades "utilize C11000 100% IACS Copper which are the highest conductivity coppers available for their respective designs". Note sure how much of a difference it makes but I did like the idea of 100% copper. |
@bigtwin If you like lugs, then solid copper is definitely the way to go. Many traditional bananas have problems. I've had them come apart on me. So I use silver plated BFA style "banana" plugs. Those have the added advantage of low mass which is the main thing I have against lugs. This is a bit of a sidetrack on this thread but I don't like a huge mass in the signal path like most binding posts are. I make my own binding posts out of the same high conductivity copper you mention but it is 3/16" tubing pressed into a nylon housing. Jerry |
@carlsbad My experience with Banana plugs has not been that great. Not keeping a tight fit has been my big complaint. I have liked the locking style Furutech makes and the BFA style looks to be an improvement. Right or wrong, I thought the high-quality copper and conductivity would work. Really amazed they sell these spades for $5 per pair. They are solid and well constructed. Makes you wonder what kind of magic dust goes into the connectors you see for $200 each. |
I didn't mean to imply I think you should use the BFAs. banana vs lug is always a matter of opinion. I do like your choice of lug. I agree with the solid copper lug. Solid copper is soft but that works with a lug. I do like that you extended the shrink wrap down onto the lug so that you can't twist one lug into the other while tightening. I've seen amps blown that way. Jerry |
