Spades vs. Banana plugs ??

Depends on your equipment and configuration….I use both to my advantage! 

I have never had the loosening issue with spades that is being reported here, and I do check them from time to time.  

@carlsbad2 - When I use banana connectors, my strong preference is for a minimalist BFA style banana plug - these first, and then these or these.

Pro Tip: Turn your equipment off when you are changing connections. You might save a trip to the repair shop.

@mitch2 Great summary of choices with BFA.  KLEI is always great.  But I prefer the simple one that you linked last.  Crimpable and solderable.  low mass.  Simple and effective.  Not that the others aren't great.

Jerry

First I prefer bare wire (no connectors means one less element, one less point of failure, and one less expense, so it's a win-win). As always watch for stray strands, and don't tin the wire ends because that greatly reduces the contact area that a properly crushed wire provides.

Next, BFA style bananas (see below).

A couple things I always low-key wondered about: 

- As said above, a proper connection is crimped first. Then solder of the appropriate quality may be flowed into it, maximizing mechanical and electrical properties. Why then do so many bananas and spades, including audiophile-quality ones, hold onto the cable with set screws?

- What happened to old-fashioned ring connectors and nut-and-bolt posts? They provide superior clamping force, and ring connectors aren't slipping off or pulling out ever. Seems they would make sense when cable gauge, stiffness, and weight are on the rise.