Speaker Plugs
Posted by: Coll on 14 December 2016
Hi I am new to the forum and just purchased my first Naim product UnitiLite.
Because I need my speaker leads to go straight back I will not be using the Naim speaker plugs but intend to use some gold plated brass Deltron plugs that I already have.
I think that the sockets are nickel plated brass and just wondered if gold plated brass would react with the nickel plating.
Anyone have any views.
I suggest that you use the Naim pins without the plastic casing. Once the leads are soldered just bend the wire so that it sticks straight out. It's best to match the metal of the plugs and the sockets.
How about me buying some nickel plated brass Deltron which have a screw and solder bucket so easy to solder
Mixing metals is best avoided if possible, but its not a disaster waiting to happen & it might be OK depending on the metal mix. I did have trouble with nickle Naim pins into "gold" speaker terminals. I have now renewed the speaker terminals with the same gold plated type but now use Delton gold banana's.
Re the amp end, I have the Naim plugs (nickle to nickle) & the cable bent 90 degrees as HH (above) suggests, however I do use it with the Naim plug plastic casings. My cable is a bit more flexible than NACA5 but I did have it that way when I used Linn K20. I would be prepared to give it a try with NACA5, nothing ventured etc, if it doesn't work, OK, you've lost a few cm of cable.
It's best to use Naim plugs if you can, and do as HH says if necessary and bend the wire back. If the plastic cover cannot then be fitted, a bit of heat shrink tubing to cover the exposed wire can be used.
Nickel plated Deltrons would be OK, but I would go for the Naim plugs if you can.
How are your soldering skills? If you're not sure, get your dealer to do it for you, as a poor solder joint can affect performance more than you might think.
Use the supplied Naim plugs - they really are the best match for your Uniti.
I guess it's worth asking what speaker wires we are actually talking about here. If it's A5 then unquestionably the Naim plugs are ideal.
Hungryhalibut posted:I guess it's worth asking what speaker wires we are actually talking about here. If it's A5 then unquestionably the Naim plugs are ideal.
See, you're not losing it after all! Well spotted, I just assumed he was using A5.
Well yes, but Mr Dimmo was the first to make the assumption....
Hungryhalibut posted:Well yes, but Mr Dimmo was the first to make the assumption....
Actually using Audioquest FLX/SLIP 14/4, which is 14 x 14AWG.
Using 2 cables for + and 2 for - and it works out at 2 x 11AWG.
Decided to buy some Deltron Brass with Nickel coating bananas with screw clamp and solder bucket only £ 6.95 for 4 anyway
I actually purchased some brass nickel plated Deltron plugs and cannot see any difference between the pins and the Naim plug pins.
Are the Naim plugs brass or something else does anyone know.
Coll posted:Hungryhalibut posted:Well yes, but Mr Dimmo was the first to make the assumption....
Actually using Audioquest FLX/SLIP 14/4, which is 14 x 14AWG.
Using 2 cables for + and 2 for - and it works out at 2 x 11AWG.
Decided to buy some Deltron Brass with Nickel coating bananas with screw clamp and solder bucket only £ 6.95 for 4 anyway
Do you know the inductance and capacitance figures for that cable? You may (or may not) be hobbling your system's performance by using it. Better to know either way.
No do not have any figures for the cable but the manual for the UnitiLite does not state that cables should have any particular characteristics.It just says use a good quality cable.
It just the plugs I am trying to sort out.
Audioquest Flx Slip 144. Says designed for in-wall use. The construction as a heavily twisted quad arrangement, would worry me, for use with most traditional Naim amps. But... I see its for a UnitiLIte which - I think - may be more tolerant...?
Deltron 4mm plugs are a good choice. Think I have those, but mine are Solder Only.
The Deltrons I have purchased have a screw then you can crimp and solder. Brass with nickel coating.
A similar quad form Mogami 15AWG with PVC insulation has 0.7uH/m & 100pf/m. This is very middle of the road L & C & its not much different to other similar construction cables of well known other makes commonly used with Naim, I would not expect it to be a problem.
I use Audioquest 14/4 with a Nait XS 2. I have also fitted some ferrite rings wired DM configuration and this works fine. It's actually a very good cable for the cost.
Huge posted:I use Audioquest 14/4 with a Nait XS 2. I have also fitted some ferrite rings wired DM configuration and this works fine. It's actually a very good cable for the cost.
What plugs do you use at the amp. end.
Would be interested to know if anyone else has used the Deltrons with brass and nickel plating and what they think of them.
I use Naim plugs at the amp end and gold Deltrons at the speaker end.
The nickel plated Deltrons will work just fine. I would still use Naim plugs as a first choice, and they are supplied as standard with their products (unless you bought it used and they've not been passed on to you.)
The quality of the soldering is probably at least as important as the type of banana plug you use.
Yes I would rather use the Naim plugs but the Deltrons are easier to solder and have rear entry.
I would totally agree with Chris. There are a lot of 4mm plugs which for a decent system I wouldn't touch with a bargepole, but the Deltrons are one of the best.
Again the plug must be the correct mechanical fit and electrical connection for csa of conductor, thats it again everything is nonsense