Atom speaker plugs

It takes a standard 4mm plug, which is usually called a banana plug. It’s neither America or British, just a standard plug type .

A BFA plug as standard will not fit due to the plastic casing round the central core. These are “BFA plugs”, not “BFA banana” plugs 

Most BFA plugs now are actually dual purpose - unscrew the outer casing and you have something that fits in a 4mm socket. These will work with the Atom with the casing round the pin thus removed. 

Hope that makes sense and helps. 

Thank you. My understanding was the US-style banana plugs are banned in the UK because they appear to fit mains outlets, and that "banana plug" in the UK means BFA-style plugs. Hence my confusion.

ah yes, that's sort of true - the 4mm plug will fit into some countries unshuttered mains sockets  hence  4mm sockets were altered/removed from amps I think, hence a lot of amp makers blocking off the 4mm sockets as their alteration, but hinting that you could pry out the stopper.

The BFA was a solution that some adopted, but it seems that's all gone by the by now as we aren't (mostly) stupid enough to plug speakers into the mains. The real solution would be to shutter the mains sockets in those countries where you can do this, but that costs money for everyone in those countries to rewire. Also better than losing a child who sticks a knitting needle, or similar, into the sockets - I'm surprised anyone allows unshuttered mains sockets because of the very real possibility of this.

The Naim plug is another solution (along with the wording on the back of the unit), but requires soldering so isn't for all. It may have audible benefits too as Naim say - I've no reason to doubt them.

Most BFA plugs I've seen recently have been multi purpose - the outer plastic barrel unscrews leaving a 4mm plug. 

I think the word "banana" was the American contribution - it's really just a 4mm plug.

Unless you have the older BFA plugs which don't convert you should be fine - 4mm plugs ("banana plugs") fit the Naim sockets as long as they are not massively wide (body, not pin)

statman posted:

Thank you. My understanding was the US-style banana plugs are banned in the UK because they appear to fit mains outlets, and that "banana plug" in the UK means BFA-style plugs. Hence my confusion.

Just to add that banana plugs are not banned in the UK at all and are commonly used in HiFi systems. They don't fit into the UK mains power sockets which have a totally different larger oblong pin construction. It's continental Europe that has mains sockets that could accept 4mm plugs, but you would have to be really stupid to think that's where your loudspeakers should plug in!

best

David

The Nova comes with Naim's own speaker plugs, these are 4mm banana pins in a one piece pin holder, a proper job !!!  see quick start guide  https://www.naimaudio.com/site...igital%20Version.pdf  for the bits in the box & 'er bee a picture

statman posted:

I do not want to use Naim's supplied speaker plugs.

Why not? Naim design them to work with their amps (and speaker cable) and match the materials to those used in the sockets. Given that they are supplied in the box with the Atom, why wouldn't you use them?

I don't want to use the Naim plugs because I doubt I can solder well enough and have no dealer nearby to do it properly.

Whatever cables and plugs you choose, I would get them properly soldered for the best connection. Surely a deaker can make some up for you and mail them?

statman posted:

I don't want to use the Naim plugs because I doubt I can solder well enough and have no dealer nearby to do it properly.

???? Statman,....Just like you,but also others say..Soldering is important.
And also the knowledge of the temperature,tin etc,etc.

The most talented have tried this out by listening test.
Many from England and Germany broadcast their interconnect's and speaker-cables to Fredrik Lejonklou in Sweden.
I can solder,but Fredrik or Karl at High Fidelity in Stockholm makes it better..So I send mine there.

It is 1000 km from me,but it does not cost so much in shipping..And then I know that they are optimally soldered.

So instead of choosing inferior bananas,send your cables to someone who can solder them optimally.

/Peder ????

What a banana drama.

TOBYJUG posted:

What a banana drama.

???? Tobyjug,...Agree with,..but at the same time,if we have someone who might be taking the wrong decision.
Or do not know how sensitive it is,and how easily you end up wrong.
This in turn,results in inferior soundquality.!

Then it feels good to provide information at least, when he then takes a decision,he does so with more background facts.

/Peder ????