Banana Jacks - Does it create a difference in output?

[jay]

Can you guys tell me whether Banana Jacks makes a difference in the audio output (from my Deck / Turntable) in speaker cables which connects the Amps to the Speakers?

I generally connect the 2 components with both side of the cables naked.

Pls comment.

 

[ranjeetrain]

Yes it does.

Inserting cables naked is a great way to overcome this "bottleneck".

Using a jack means ease of insertion/removal. But those who don't seek ease of use can (and should) use naked cables.

However, "naked" cables may benefit from cleaning once in a while to compensate for potential degradation caused by the environment.

 

[jay]

Yes it does.

Inserting cables naked is a great way to overcome this "bottleneck".

Using a jack means ease of insertion/removal. But those who don't seek ease of use can (and should) use naked cables.

However, "naked" cables may benefit from cleaning once in a while to compensate for potential degradation caused by the environment.

But does Banana jacks help in better audio quality than the naked cables?

 

[koushik]

But does Banana jacks help in better audio quality than the naked cables?

No way! In fact, it can very well degrade the quality.

*disclaimer: But I do use decent quality banana plugs for ease of use.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

But does Banana jacks help in better audio quality than the naked cables?

No, it adds another metal-to-metal boundary, and, whether crimped, screwed, soldered or welded, the fewer the better. Same applies to all speaker connections, plugs, spades, whatever.

I thin, IIRC, that even Blue Jeans, with their wonderful ultrasonically-welded connectors state that bare is best.

 

[jay]

No way! In fact, it can very well degrade the quality.

*disclaimer: But I do use decent quality banana plugs for ease of use.

How does it degrade? Kindly explain.

 

[tiger0691]

Simple is better.

1. Direct connection is better. And the cable ends (if it is copper) are to be cut before reconnect in every six month.

2. Banana connectors and rca(speaker) connectors are to be cleansed regularly

- an old audiophile advised me.

 

[koushik]

How does it degrade? Kindly explain.

Just follow what Thad said a post earlier ... more component, more resistance, coloration, waveform alteration etc etc ... this is quite simple.

Signal from Amp coming to speaker, anything in between will only degrade the sound, can't upgrade. Even speaker cables have detrimental effect on sound, which we can't help!

 

[jay]

Just follow what Thad said a post earlier ... more component, more resistance, coloration, waveform alteration etc etc ... this is quite simple.

Signal from Amp coming to speaker, anything in between will only degrade the sound, can't upgrade. Even speaker cables have detrimental effect on sound, which we can't help!

Oh ok.Thanks a lot.
So my investment on Banana jacks saved

 

[reubensm]

This thread is more appropriate for the amplifier section of this forum.

Cables, Plugs and sockets impact on sound quality is a hugely debated topic. From a practical perspecrive, if your amp's plugs and sockets are tight fitting, given the equipment you are using, you will not be able to notice any difference. Ill-fitting jacks may cause loss of signal and interference (crackles), otherwise, its hard to notice any difference.

However if you have a very keen listening ear, you'll be able to tell the difference to some extent especially if you are using high grade equipment. For example I could not notice any differences with my NAD equipment until I decided to change my speaker cabling to Finolex water pump cabling. The bass response, highs and overall dimension/imagery of the speakers increased. Nevertheless, its all very subjective. Again, this may be because I am using longer speaker cables and the earlier ones were just not good enough for the purpose.

 

[kuruvilajacob]

Though a little off topic,I have tried connecting Turntable tone arm wires directly to cartridge by-passing the head shell connectors. It does make a difference. The lesser the connections, the cleaner the sound. I think that applies to other connectors as well.

 

[koushik]

Yes. And I think the logic is quite straight forward. The lesser the better in the signal path.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

I have already said, the fewer "joins" the better but...

Cables, Plugs and sockets impact on sound quality is a hugely debated topic. From a practical perspecrive, if your amp's plugs and sockets are tight fitting, given the equipment you are using, you will not be able to notice any difference.

...in practice, I doubt that it makes much difference.

But it is one of those areas where the purist option (bare wires) is actually the cheapest and easiest.

however, if I bought speaker cables with well-crimped or soldered, or especially ultrasonically welded spades or plugs, I would not be in a big hurry to cut them off.

Though a little off topic,I have tried connecting Turntable tone arm wires directly to cartridge by-passing the head shell connectors. It does make a difference. The lesser the connections, the cleaner the sound. I think that applies to other connectors as well.

The turntable connection is the extreme example. The signal is so tiny, it really has to be cosseted!

 

[square_wave]

A freshly exposed and nicely primed bare connection should sound the best. But that is only half the story. The freshly exposed part is of primary importance here. And this is also the source of the problem. Oxidation is your enemy. If you are planning to always extract the best sound possible, be prepared to cut and freshly expose cables every 3 months or so. Also copper wires will gradually cut and fall off at the place where the big connectors squeeze in on the amp. Overall a messy affair. If you like it naked, solder the wire to the inside of the amp. That is the best connection.

A good quality spade or banana will solve all this for you and does not sound much different to " freashly exposed " bare wire.

 

[Santy]

If you like it naked, solder the wire to the inside of the amp. That is the best connection.

Well, I am pretty sure people who like things naked would prefer the inside connection you have suggested. But seriously, would anyone do it?

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

That's the difference between easy purist and hard-line purist!

A good quality spade or banana will solve all this for you and does not sound much different to " freshly exposed " bare wire.

If it is factory-fitted, ie heavy-machine crimped or my favourite idea, ultrasonically welded then I can see the point --- but a lot of people will be looking at screw/etc attached, home-fitted, plugs, spades, etc, and thinking they are enhancing something by using them, whereas they are just adding an extra potential problem interface.

I mean, if you start with a piece of bare wire in your hands, then stay with it, but if you buy a terminated length, then stick with that. Don't add simple screw-type connectors, and don't chop factory-fitted ones.

 

[koushik]

I mean, if you start with a piece of bare wire in your hands, then stay with it, but if you buy a terminated length, then stick with that. Don't add simple screw-type connectors, and don't chop factory-fitted ones.

Agree.

When I said it will deteriorate that doesn't necessarily mean one will hear it very easily (if at all). I haven't heard any difference in my system bare wired or with decent banana plug (that I use). But yes it is certainly adding some extra path for the signal to travel and it will definitely be different than bare wired, but by how much?!

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

I agree with that, too.

This is weird: it's a cable thread, and I'm agreeing with everyone! :lol:

 

[Arjun4]

I agree with that, too.

This is weird: it's a cable thread, and I'm agreeing with everyone! :lol:

I'm little confused. Almost all the sub cables does have connectors on both ends.

Arjun

 

[square_wave]

That's the difference between easy purist and hard-line purist!



If it is factory-fitted, ie heavy-machine crimped or my favourite idea, ultrasonically welded then I can see the point --- but a lot of people will be looking at screw/etc attached, home-fitted, plugs, spades, etc, and thinking they are enhancing something by using them, whereas they are just adding an extra potential problem interface.

I mean, if you start with a piece of bare wire in your hands, then stay with it, but if you buy a terminated length, then stick with that. Don't add simple screw-type connectors, and don't chop factory-fitted ones.

Yes...this is true. These need to be professionally terminated or you are just adding more problems.