banana plugs or not?

IMO, The best connection is bare wire or Eichmann bullet (silver or gold.) I like both with different systems.

The amp is more important than the cable as long as the cable is properly made and of adequate size and quality to do the job of supplying current.

Bare wire. Just cut into some new wire every so often to get rid of oxidation.

Bare wire - if you can squeeze it to create oxygen free connection. Next best IMHO would be spade.

Agree- bare wire is the best. However, i use bananas because thats how my wires came.