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Post by Loop 7 on Jun 21, 2017 18:40:12 GMT -5
A few years ago, the banana plugs on my speaker cables were nice and snug when inserted into my Parasound Halo amp but now they are a bit loose. Is it the plugs or the amplifier? Am I the only person to observe this or is it common? I'm thinking about saying farewell to bananas and going with spades.  |
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Post by gus4emo on Jun 21, 2017 18:48:18 GMT -5
A few years ago, the banana plugs on my speaker cables were nice and snug when inserted into my Parasound Halo amp but now they are a bit loose. Is it the plugs or the amplifier? Am I the only person to observe this or is it common? I'm thinking about saying farewell to bananas and going with spades. Check out Media bridge on Amazon. |
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Post by Boomzilla on Jun 21, 2017 19:29:15 GMT -5
It's not the bananas, Loop 7 - you were crazy before! LOL Forgive me - I couldn't resist... And now to your question - Yes - Bananas are "snug" when they're new due to the tension of the metal "blades" of the banana plug (basically stretched sheet metal with a gold plating). Over time, the compression of the (much thicker and stronger) jacks will deform the plugs slightly and make them looser. There are several ways around this (if it bothers you): 1. Use "locking bananas" - These plugs are tensioned not by the sheet metal of the plug, but rather by a "screw-in cone" inside the banana that forces the blades outward against the jacks. With the locking bananas , there's no worry about the elasticity of the banana blades because the screw-plug will retighten them on every insertion. 2. You can (if you're very, very careful) re-bend the blades of the banana plugs to have greater tension. I've used the tip of a knife blade to do this. But it is EASY to damage the plugs with this method and I don't recommend it. 3. Use the " DYohn method" - Cut the bananas off the wires & use just the bare copper strands tightened into your speaker jacks. This isn't as convenient as having bananas, but it probably gives the best connection, and without any additional steel / solder / copper / gold interfaces. You can use spades, but then you get all the negatives of the bananas without any of their convenience. The best option (if you really want bananas) is to cut off the bananas currently on the wires and solder on some locking bananas. Second best (some convenience, but not as much as bananas) would be to cut off the existing bananas & tin the tips of the bare wires for insertion into your speaker jacks. Third best for convenience (but best for connectivity) is to cut off the bananas & use the bare, stranded wires in your speaker jacks. Or, of course, you could just quit worrying about & use your bananas as they are. After all, the weight of the wire probably cocks the banana in the sockets sufficiently to ensure a good connection. Best of luck - Boomzilla |
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Post by Bonzo on Jun 21, 2017 19:32:06 GMT -5
A few years ago, the banana plugs on my speaker cables were nice and snug when inserted into my Parasound Halo amp but now they are a bit loose. Is it the plugs or the amplifier? Am I the only person to observe this or is it common? I'm thinking about saying farewell to bananas and going with spades. Its the plugs. Some bananas are horrible for this. Some resist it quite well. And with the locking kind you can just periodically check and retighten. Id attach a link but im on my phone at the moment. I'll do it tomorrow. Dayton Audio has some of the best ones at decent prices. Since the store is local for me i was able to physically check them all out prior to buying. |
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Post by Loop 7 on Jun 21, 2017 19:34:48 GMT -5
It's not the bananas, Loop 7 - you were crazy before! LOL 1. Use "locking bananas" - These plugs are tensioned not by the sheet metal of the plug, but rather by a "screw-in cone" inside the banana that forces the blades outward against the jacks. With the locking bananas , there's no worry about the elasticity of the banana blades because the screw-plug will retighten them on every insertion. I do appreciate you confirming the craziness. Now I can sleep. Any recommendations on locking bananas and from where I could source them? |
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Post by Boomzilla on Jun 21, 2017 19:38:00 GMT -5
I buy mine from parts-express.com. Use their search engine for locking banana plugs.
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LCSeminole
Global Moderator 
Res firma mitescere nescit.
Posts: 20,864
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Post by LCSeminole on Jun 21, 2017 19:49:28 GMT -5
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Post by RichGuy on Jun 21, 2017 19:49:58 GMT -5
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Post by vneal on Jun 21, 2017 19:55:31 GMT -5
Used to be a spade guy. Have gone bananas on all speaker connections due to convenience
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Post by Loop 7 on Jun 21, 2017 19:56:26 GMT -5
GLS Audio has some of the best bananas, they have several different styles and yes I prefer the locking. I think I will go ahead and get the GLS. Seems like a good way to go. |
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LCSeminole
Global Moderator
Res firma mitescere nescit.
Posts: 20,864
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Post by LCSeminole on Jun 21, 2017 19:59:09 GMT -5
GLS Audio has some of the best bananas, they have several different styles and yes I prefer the locking. I think I will go ahead and get the GLS. Seems like a good way to go. They are cheaper from Amazon. |
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Post by monkumonku on Jun 21, 2017 19:59:57 GMT -5
A few years ago, the banana plugs on my speaker cables were nice and snug when inserted into my Parasound Halo amp but now they are a bit loose. Is it the plugs or the amplifier? Am I the only person to observe this or is it common? I'm thinking about saying farewell to bananas and going with spades. I use locking banana plugs from Blue Jeans Cables. My personal preference is those above the ones made by GLS. But either of them should be better than the kind that work by compressing the plug into the hole by using pressure. |
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Post by RichGuy on Jun 21, 2017 20:04:29 GMT -5
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Post by Loop 7 on Jun 21, 2017 20:06:10 GMT -5
I grabbed them from Amazon because I'm probably the biggest cheapskate in the Lounge. |
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Post by Jim on Jun 21, 2017 20:11:49 GMT -5
I love the locking style too. Until you end up in a sleep deprived state and try to yank them out and forget that they really do lock pretty well! |
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Post by Jim on Jun 21, 2017 20:12:42 GMT -5
Used to be a spade guy. Have gone bananas on all speaker connections due to convenience You've gone bananas? That sounds concerning! |
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Post by vneal on Jun 21, 2017 20:17:32 GMT -5
Used to be a spade guy. Have gone bananas on all speaker connections due to convenience You've gone bananas? That sounds concerning! In fact I may climb a tree! |
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Post by Boomzilla on Jun 21, 2017 20:21:54 GMT -5
Where's Hemster when we need him?
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Post by foggy1956 on Jun 21, 2017 20:24:24 GMT -5
Used to be a spade guy. Have gone bananas on all speaker connections due to convenience You've gone bananas? That sounds concerning! C'mon Jim, Don't be shy, spill the beans?😎 |
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Post by dcg44s on Jun 21, 2017 22:41:12 GMT -5
I grabbed them from Amazon because I'm probably the biggest cheapskate in the Lounge. I think I might be able to offer some competition for that title.  |
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