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Post by rufessor on Oct 11, 2012 11:05:09 GMT -5
Hi All-
I am going to be ordering an XPA-5 and will be purchasing some Anticables to upgrade my speaker wire (currently using basically radio shack stranded cable bi wired from my Yamaha Amp/Pre combo).
I know I want Spade connectors onto my Paradigm Speakers and do not plan on bi-wiring (would be passive only even if I did it).
Sequence of connections follows- this is the plan, my UMC-1 will be here this week! XPA-5 has yet to be ordered.
PS3 (multi use, CD/DVD/Game) HDMI --> UMC-1
UMC-1 --> XPA-5
(5 channel unbalanced RCA interconnects using Emotiva RCA cable)
UMC-1 --> RCA splitter (emotiva) --> 2x Paradigm SE subs (with AMP)
Cable to Subs is Emotiva RCA 2 Meter
XPA-5 --> Paradigm SE3 towers and SE Center and Half Dipole Paradigm Surrounds
So question is, is it better/worse/no diff to run Banana plugs from the back of the AMP and then spades to the speakers or is it in fact better to run spades on both ends.
Reason I ask, is I am unable to find much information on Anticable spades and XPA-5 amp lugs/fittings. I do see a little bit of information on the UPA amps having some plastic that can interfere with spade connections depending on how big they are...
I have never used anything other than el-cheapo stranded wire but with all the upgrades to my system (pulling a Yamaha RX-V863 out for garage use and replacing it with the pre and amp combo above). I am totally a NOOB and have no earthly idea whats better/worse or will or will not fit and the total cost is really pushing my envelop and I would be a bit pissed if I got stuff and had to modify things to make it work.
So- Banana seems like a "safe" bet off the XPA-5 and then I know the spades will fit onto the Paradigm speakers... but I would rather go with the absolute best option for sound quality- if I can make it work.
Advice?
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Post by djoel on Oct 11, 2012 11:13:33 GMT -5
Bananas are so much easier whenit come to Amps, well at least for me..
Djoel
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Post by rufessor on Oct 11, 2012 11:19:23 GMT -5
That was kinda my thinking... but I had to ask. Will wait to see if anyone ends up flipping a lid about quality... and if they are convincing.
I was reading stuff about interconnects and found a few people mentioning some real data suggesting that gold plated connector to gold plated is perhaps the most important bit when it comes to interconnects... so I ordered up all new interconnects today (they shipped like 1 min after my order with a tracking # from EMotiva... holy cow)
So... I feel like I should be optimum everywhere I can be (at my cost level) and thus this final question.
Man... I cannot wait to order up the XPA-5...
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Post by AudioHTIT on Oct 11, 2012 11:27:52 GMT -5
My take is bananas are more convenient, spades are more secure. I use spades on my two channel monoblocks which are on a sliding shelf to get the tubes out in the air to breath and keep heat from moving up the rack - spades give a more solid connection. My multi-channel HT amp sits on a shelf that is harder to work around and it doesn't move, bananas are easier to reach around and plug in or out if I need to make changes. Use what works best for you.
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Post by rufessor on Oct 11, 2012 11:31:04 GMT -5
Ok.... ordering Banana on one end and Spade on the other. Will mention order of connection to Anticables when I order but I don't think they have a preferred orientation on their cables.
Really looking forward to trying this out.
I will post a lengthy review of my thoughts on quality after I get it all together in a month or so... another thread another day.
Thanks
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Post by rufessor on Oct 11, 2012 11:51:33 GMT -5
Just FYI if anyone else reads this and wants to use Anticables.
They in fact do have an orientation... so you need to know which connector is going to which component when you order.
Cool.... All cables and interconnects will be here next week. UMC-1 will be here as well... will hook it all up and use Yamaha amp as stand alone with pre-ins bypassing Yamaha processing entirely and just passing signal straight through from the UMC-1. This should be fun to hear. Curious how much if any difference the cable (interconnect and speaker) switch with the UMC-1 signal quality (better I presume) makes in sound using the Yamaha amps. Kinda assuming it will be subtle but would not be surprised if its significant.
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bootman
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Post by bootman on Oct 11, 2012 12:03:42 GMT -5
My personal preference is locking bananas (they actually expand to make a tight fit) on both ends if the connections allow.
Here is an example of what I mean.
Sorry about the cheese. ;D
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traider79
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Post by traider79 on Oct 11, 2012 12:12:10 GMT -5
I love the GLS locking Banana Plugs!!
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Post by ansat on Oct 11, 2012 12:34:31 GMT -5
Currently almost all my connections are without plugs. One less thing to go wrong.
sent from my phone. sorry for the short response. Tony
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emovac
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Post by emovac on Oct 11, 2012 12:47:40 GMT -5
I have had my best luck with angled bananas, the type which are capable of being stacked. Not real expensive either, Dayton brand from Parts Express. Attachments:
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Post by djoel on Oct 11, 2012 13:48:50 GMT -5
Yup that's what I have locking banana on Acoustic Zen Epoch cables on the Amp side and spade on the speaker side which works when I move the speakers around, and for the rears I also have banana but just the regular types,  Main Speaker Spade plugs  These are my center cables but as you can see these are locking banana on both sides. |
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Post by roadrunner on Oct 11, 2012 13:51:03 GMT -5
As long as you use good quality connectors it really doesn't make any difference which way you go, banana plugs or spades. Both of these connection options offer the same sound quality. Your choice should be dictated by your personal situation. For instance, if you have pets that would be moving around behind your speakers or your equipment you might be wise not to use banana plugs as they could easily become dislodged. Same with toddlers. ;D If you will being changing gear frequently, banana plugs will be more convenient and will save you a few minutes whenever you have a need to change out equipment. One of my favorite plugs is from GLS. Very high quality and easy to assemble if you make your own speaker cables. Link below for the vendor I have used for multiple things dealing with speakers is Orange County Speakers. www.speakerrepair.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=all_plugsThey offer several types of banana plugs. Check them out to see which you prefer. For each type of connector, this site has a little video showing how to assemble the speaker wire to the plug... makes it simple for the do-it-yourself customer. www.speakerrepair.com/page/product/black_chrome/BS8.htmlMy personal favorite is the Flex Tip Banana Plug. Link below. www.speakerrepair.com/page/product/waveflex-banana/WF40.htmlThis is an excellent site for any of your speaker repair needs -- re-edging, re-coning, grill cloth, new tweeters, mid-range or sub drivers. |
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Post by rufessor on Oct 11, 2012 16:03:58 GMT -5
I called Anitcables back and this time the owner picked up (lucky me) and I asked him if I could send him some of the locking banana plugs to install on my order. Which led him to elaborate for some time on his ideas on sonic quality and termination. Basically, he feels (strongly and without reservation) that the banana plugs are sonically troubling due to their brass construction which he feels is a bad metal sonically, and went on to tell me that he has been working on this problem for a while (seemed like years) and recently (seemed like he was doing the metallurgy himself) created a nearly pure copper banana plug terminator that he is now selling. Which he said was nearly as good as the spade connection sonically.
In the end, I ended up going with spades on both ends but got a set of short (6 inch) bridge wires with banana plugs to replace my gold coated bridge which sits across the two positive inputs on each speaker (and the two negatives).
I am certain that many a long winded argument could be started discussing the sonic nymphs present in brass vs. copper connections, but since I had decided that I was going to USE Anticables (and I seriously doubt they will be worse than my home depot wire) with no intention or returning them.... I figured if I bought into the reviews and many many user posts on their quality, I might as well listen to the dude who created them. He seems like a very very invested individual who cares deeply about this subject and has spent endless time playing to optimize things. Its great that we have all these different options driven by passionate smart people.
So... in the end my final order was for three sets of speaker wires with spade terminations all around and two sets of his new pure copper banana plug bridge wires for my speakers (I will not be passively bi-wiring these).
Would I ever have noticed, or even in an A/B test even be able to tell the difference between connections in my system in my room- who the heck knows... but it was abundantly clear that Paul had spent a very long time trying to fix this "problem" and finally had something he was willing to recommend... so I took his recommendation and it cost me 15 bucks... Well worth a phone call- to me.
Remember, I have about 50 bucks TOTAL in the entire wire/interconnects in my system today. Next week, I will have about 350 bucks TOTAL in all... and I likely will never change a thing, I have been using my "high-fi" home depot set up for years but finally came to realize that it was lacking... so I am going to be happy with this cause its what I decided on (finally) and its obvious that it will be much better than the tangled mess of el-cheapo junk hanging off the back of all my stuff currently. I wish I had the time and money to buy one of everything... but that is not the case.
I have a thread started under the pre-amp review section and will post updates to what sounds occur as I transition my set up over to new wires... then add in the UMC-1 and finally the XPA-5. SHould be good fun. Thanks for all the responses, I never would have called them back but for your (collective) effort to point our the locking banana plugs... and never would have had a chance (literally random) to speak to Paul at AntiCables... so thanks. A LOT.
I am convinced that the Emotiva interconnects (RCA) are very high quality... and those are all ready ordered and on their way (for all 5 channel pre outs) and for cable to both subs and the splitter. Feeling like I have something I can trust for good signal through the chain, now I want to hear it.
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Post by monkumonku on Oct 11, 2012 16:11:44 GMT -5
I called Anitcables back and this time the owner picked up (lucky me) and I asked him if I could send him some of the locking banana plugs to install on my order. Which led him to elaborate for some time on his ideas on sonic quality and termination. Basically, he feels (strongly and without reservation) that the banana plugs are sonically troubling due to their brass construction which he feels is a bad metal sonically, and went on to tell me that he has been working on this problem for a while (seemed like years) and recently (seemed like he was doing the metallurgy himself) created a nearly pure copper banana plug terminator that he is now selling. Which he said was nearly as good as the spade connection sonically. In the end, I ended up going with spades on both ends but got a set of short (6 inch) bridge wires with banana plugs to replace my gold coated bridge which sits across the two positive inputs on each speaker (and the two negatives). I am certain that many a long winded argument could be started discussing the sonic nymphs present in brass vs. copper connections, but since I had decided that I was going to USE Anticables (and I seriously doubt they will be worse than my home depot wire) with no intention or returning them.... I figured if I bought into the reviews and many many user posts on their quality, I might as well listen to the dude who created them. He seems like a very very invested individual who cares deeply about this subject and has spent endless time playing to optimize things. Its great that we have all these different options driven by passionate smart people. So... in the end my final order was for three sets of speaker wires with spade terminations all around and two sets of his new pure copper banana plug bridge wires for my speakers (I will not be passively bi-wiring these). Would I ever have noticed, or even in an A/B test even be able to tell the difference between connections in my system in my room- who the heck knows... but it was abundantly clear that Paul had spent a very long time trying to fix this "problem" and finally had something he was willing to recommend... so I took his recommendation and it cost me 15 bucks... Well worth a phone call- to me. Remember, I have about 50 bucks TOTAL in the entire wire/interconnects in my system today. Next week, I will have about 350 bucks TOTAL in all... and I likely will never change a thing, I have been using my "high-fi" home depot set up for years but finally came to realize that it was lacking... so I am going to be happy with this cause its what I decided on (finally) and its obvious that it will be much better than the tangled mess of el-cheapo junk hanging off the back of all my stuff currently. I wish I had the time and money to buy one of everything... but that is not the case. I have a thread started under the pre-amp review section and will post updates to what sounds occur as I transition my set up over to new wires... then add in the UMC-1 and finally the XPA-5. SHould be good fun. Thanks for all the responses, I never would have called them back but for your (collective) effort to point our the locking banana plugs... and never would have had a chance (literally random) to speak to Paul at AntiCables... so thanks. A LOT. I am convinced that the Emotiva interconnects (RCA) are very high quality... and those are all ready ordered and on their way (for all 5 channel pre outs) and for cable to both subs and the splitter. Feeling like I have something I can trust for good signal through the chain, now I want to hear it. Well you may get some folks telling you to do a blind test comparison between the banana slug plugs and the spades but in the end what really matters is that you are happy with your purchase, which it certainly sounds like you are!  What I think is nice is when you are able to speak with the owner or someone else in the company who is so invested and enthusiastic about what they do - it can't help but rub off. That must have made your day! |
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Post by ottaone on Oct 11, 2012 16:13:20 GMT -5
If you don't change stuff as often as others in the forum, why not bare naked wire? |
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Post by GreenKiwi on Oct 11, 2012 16:37:48 GMT -5
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jamrock
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Post by jamrock on Oct 11, 2012 17:18:25 GMT -5
Nothing more direct and secure than bare wire.
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LCSeminole
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Posts: 20,864
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Post by LCSeminole on Oct 11, 2012 17:25:13 GMT -5
I too will put in a good word for the GLS Locking Bananas. Anyone that may be interested, GLS also uses Amazon, so if you have Amazon Prime that is free two-day shipping.
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Post by roadrunner on Oct 11, 2012 17:41:38 GMT -5
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Post by Porscheguy on Oct 11, 2012 19:08:20 GMT -5
People sure ask the funniest questions... :-) I'll guarantee you this, as long as you have made a positive, solid connection, it makes no difference at all.......
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