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Best way to terminate speaker cables ?

I am buying some used DH lab Q-10 biwire cables from a fellow Audiogoner that have no connectors on the speaker end and am looking for suggestions for how to "terminate" them. My speakers(Shearwater Hot Rods) have binding posts that accept bananas or spades. Should I stay with bare wire or get some spades or bananas ? Where can I get some spades or banana connectors that are reasonably priced and is there any technique for attaching the spades/bananas ? How should I clean the bare wire ends once I receive them ? Thanks
bigo
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
If the binding posts on the speaker have holes for bare wire that you don't need to terminate them. Just you clean them twice per month with contact treatments. Someone mentioned Pepsi as one of the best ways to get rid of oxidation and corrosion.
maxlorenz
13 posts
 
Q10 are silver plated. Silver can oxidize. The oxide is conductor too but I wouldn't count on that.
I suggest you use good quality Cardas Silver/Rhodium spades($5 to 15 pr) or Luminous Audio Silver spades ($5 ps).
I was thinking of doing this because Q10 silver "needs" silver plated spades, I guess.
muzcal
66 posts
 
All things being equal, you'll get better dynamics and better frequency extension if you use bare wire.

I have found connectors on speaker cable tend to limit dynamics, etc. Also do you crimp or solder? Each introduces its own sonic signature into the mix.

In my opinion, rhodium introduces a strange sort of coloration into the sound. When I have to use a speaker connector I use gold over OFC with little or no nickel, such as those made by Vampire.
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