Sakura Systems OTA Cable Kit

I just discovered that the "Teflon" tape that I tried on the XLO wire is not Teflon (per the local hardware store). I went there to get another roll and discovered this. The Teflon tape that I just purchased has no adhesive (which is better for our needs) and it was very inexpensive ($1.50 a roll). I will just fasten it @ the ends with a small piece of adhesive tape when I try wrapping the wire again.

Haven't looked at this thread in while and forgive me if Trelja in his usual thoroughness addressed this, but- be careful when you use these solvents. Most of them are easily absorbed thru the skin, and the vapors I believe are also dangerous (in terms of toxicity and flammability). Working outdoors for all of you California types may be an answer, but the really low boiling point products evaporate so quickly that you have to be careful. Probably not a big problem if you are dipping them into a gallon can, but be very careful about ventilation, open flames (including pilot lights for you basement experimenters) etc. I apologize if this has all been gone over before, or if my chemistry is too hazy (too much recreational chemistry along with my organic chem when I was in college, I'm ashamed to admit), but I do remember problems with paint stripper and other furniture refinishers which are mostly organic solvents like MEK and acetone, toluene, and the like. Your speakers won't sound to good if either they or your brain are (is?) fried. Have fun.

Please help. I got the Stratos kit about three weeks ago and immediately set up the speaker wires. My observations were pretty close to everyone here (boy, do horns sound good now), and I have made firm believers out of a few cable doubters (including, to a certain degree, myself). I must, however, be the biggest idiot in the world as I can't seem to get the interconnects together. I have assembled a pair (actually a pair and a half) and with a little 'wiggling' of the plugs can get one channel to fire. When I try to hook up the other channel, I can't get any sound at all despite all the 'wiggling' and repositioning that I try. Now it's not simply the run of interconnect or the terminals as I can switch the cables or switch the channels and can almost always get one channel to work. I've already broken one of the machined white pieces and have about two feet in scrap on the floor and I'm at my wits end. At this point, I really wish there was an option for the mechanically idiotic to have the interconnects pre-assembled.

Raguirre: You are doing better than I did in the beginning (I wasted over 35 feet of the OTA) and to date have broken 5 of the white center posts. As far as the center post goes, you can try adding another loop or two around the white post. This will give you more of a chance of making a good solid contact. When you install the center (white) post just press it all of the way into the female RCA and then pull out ever so slightly. This has always worked for me and I have used the IC's with at least six different pieces of equipment so far. The black (outside) part of the RCA should not have any trouble making contact, but if you feel that it is too loose then do a double loop (through the small hole on the side) before going back through the longer channel/hole. I have noticed that the female RCA's on different gear do vary a bit as far as the fit goes and these two slight deviations regarding the assembly of the IC's should do the trick. I do wish that 47 Labs would redesign the center post to make is stronger as it is structurally very weak where the cross hole goes through the shaft (or @ the least offer free replacements of the center post) but other than this I have no complaints about this product and am looking forward to your further comments once you remedy the contact problems you are experiencing.

Thanks DK, I'll give it another go with the extra loop on the center post, I hope this will solve my problem. I'm almost too embarassed to ask this, but just to make certain the cable should go from white to white and from black to black, right?
As far as the speaker cable is concerned, I really have enjoyed going back and listening to my favorite recordings with it installed. I don't speak fluent audiophile, but what I have observed is that trebly type instruments (*especially* horns) have more of the edge that they have in real life. More important, though, is that everything just seems to be 'faster'. It's hard not to tap my feet and even super droning ambient type music (Yo La Tengo's latest effort or anything by the American Anolog Set, for example) seems more vibrant and alive. Admitedly the cable I replaced was nothing special (Tributaries copper and silver coated copper braid) but this was as significant for me as replacing my PSB's with Triangles. Associated equip: Ah Tjoeb 4000 into Jolida 302A via Tributatries interconnect, into the Stratos, into Triangle Zephyrs. Actually, if you're familiar with the Triangle line of speakers I think that this cable does well what I like about those speakers.