On the underside of my Shahinian Hawk's subwoofer, I have the usual binding posts in which I insert the 4mm Naim plugs to connect the amp to the speaker. However, I also have to use the same posts to connect this subwoofer to the top module. I currently use spades (soldered on) to make this connection.

On each post, there is a hole through the side to accept the cable direct (instead of using spades). One would then screw down to clamp the cable.

Cutting off the spade and inserting the cable direct into the hole seems a cleaner and more secure connection, but the bare copper cable would tarnish quickly and sound deteriorate. Does anyone have an opinion about soldering the end of the cable before inserting it into the hole, so it wouldn't tarnish? Soldering the end would increase the resistance at the end, but using spades already requires solder.

There's always crimping the spade on, but it doesn't quite feel right to me.

Any thoughts welcome.

I would stick with spades and solder if you are unable to use a Naim Plug, but solid spades don't offer a fantastic connection in my experience. The Kimber Postmaster with it's funny sandwich construction is the best one I have ever found, it doesn't seem to work itself loose!

I've always used Cardas rodium spades. Best that I know.

But I doubt if you'll hear any difference at all on a sub.

R.

djftw, I use the Kimber Postmaster at the moment, but I don't know why I don't just stick the soldered cable end directly into the hole in the post.

Richard,

Shahinian Hawks are split into two with the subwoofer on the bottom. The first connection from the amp goes to this sub (using Naim plugs)and then one connects the sub to the mid/tweeter module with A5 from the same connection.