New patent pending product

Danny Richie · « **on:** 12 May 2010, 03:51 am »

I am now stocking this is the new, patent pending, tube connector from Electra Cable.

It is a binding post replacement. I may never use another binding post again. This is sooooo much better. This is the closest thing to not having to have a binding post at all. It is like having a removable straight wire connection. Someone should have came out with this a long time ago. It solves a ton of problems associated with a binding post.

I will be making these standard will all of my kits.

Be sure and go here to read all the info and see the diagrams that explain how these work.

http://www.electracable.com/tubeconnector.htm

Mariusz · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 May 2010, 04:23 am »

Nice but limited in connection options. (for most users/builders)
But it might be an alternative to ordinary binding posts.
I would also like to see more details regarding instalation.
It seems to be fairly easy and less time consuming but what exactly is keeping it in place?
Looking forward to trying one out.

jtwrace · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 May 2010, 11:06 am »

Can a finished speaker be retrofitted with this? Most binding posts are 3/8" - 1/2" will this work with them?

JohnR · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 May 2010, 11:09 am »

I was just sorta wondering that too - I can see replacing connectors on some cables but will other cables with nanas on them still work OK?

sl_1800 · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 May 2010, 12:32 pm »

Danny is the needed hole in the cabinet 1/2", it looks about right?

sts9fan · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 May 2010, 12:49 pm »

So regular binding posts will be extra? Do you really thing the distance wire to wire is an issue? It is still crossing through the post. I would not hold my breath on this taking off. Not becuae its not better but because there are standards. Those standards may not be ideal but that does not always matter. As an fan of fancy wire do you think people are going to cut the ends off of their $$$ pretty cables? Speakon is a great connector also but gets little play in hifi.

dBe · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 May 2010, 01:09 pm »

Quote from: Mariusz on 12 May 2010, 04:23 am

Nice but limited in connection options. (for most users/builders)
But it might be an alternative to ordinary binding posts.
I would also like to see more details regarding instalation.
It seems to be fairly easy and less time consuming but what exactly is keeping it in place?
Looking forward to trying one out.

See the raised rings on the outside of the bady of the receiver. By having a press fit into a hole in the speaker these raised ribs should hold it in place. I'd superglue them, too.

I'm all about low mass in connectors. Some of the best sounding RCA's that I have used are these:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103424

Years ago a friend of mine bought about a zillion of these things, took them apart and had another friend of ours strip the tin off and plate them with silver and then gold. Tim then made some new insulator rings and pressed them back togeteher. Closest thing to no connector that I've ever used. Wish I still had some.

Danny, I like them. They make lots of sense to this doddering old (audio)phool.

Dave

TRADERXFAN · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 May 2010, 01:43 pm »

after breifly reading it, i like it. Although not sure it would be compatible with all cables... some seem too thick.

I am one person who decided to run the wires into the speaker rather than have a binding post for the reasons listed. I HATE dealing with binding posts.

(Although, much easier approach that allows for removal is the Ric schultz idea to just put internal wire out through a hole, and wrap external and internal wires together on the outside of the posts.)

-Tony

Mariusz · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 May 2010, 01:58 pm »

Quote from: dBe on 12 May 2010, 01:09 pm

See the raised rings on the outside of the bady of the receiver. By having a press fit into a hole in the speaker these raised ribs should hold it in place. I'd superglue them, too.

I'm all about low mass in connectors. Some of the best sounding RCA's that I have used are these:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103424

Years ago a friend of mine bought about a zillion of these things, took them apart and had another friend of ours strip the tin off and plate them with silver and then gold. Tim then made some new insulator rings and pressed them back togeteher. Closest thing to no connector that I've ever used. Wish I still had some.

Danny, I like them. They make lots of sense to this doddering old (audio)phool.

Dave

Hi Dave

Yes, the low mass connectors are desirable and I get the idea of instalation but it is costly alternative/solution. See, ones installed and secured, that is it. No room for adj./mistakes, reuse of connectors etc. It looks like a great idea for that "minimalist" approach part of DIY crowd but it sure needs some serious alternations to become acceptable as a new standard.

Occam · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 May 2010, 02:08 pm »

Diameter of the receptacle opening? Is it 4mm like a banana plugs? Can one stick a banana plug in it and have a secure connection?

TIA,
Paul

NeilT · « **Reply #10 on:** 12 May 2010, 02:23 pm »

Quote from: JohnR on 12 May 2010, 11:09 am

I was just sorta wondering that too - I can see replacing connectors on some cables but will other cables with nanas on them still work OK?

Danny Richie · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 May 2010, 02:47 pm »

I standard 7/16" hole is all that is needed.

When installing them just lightly coat them with clear Silicon and insert them. It is a pressed fit and they stay in very well.

Swiping another one of their pics below:

The set comes with studs and the studs can be used with any cable up to 10 gauge.

Also standard banana plugs will work as well. You just loose the advantage of getting the speaker cable itself all the way into the speaker and against the internal wire.

jtwrace · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 May 2010, 02:49 pm »

Silicone?

A bit to crude for myself...

sorry. I think at that point an aluminum plate that included the terminals would've made more sense. Then the "High End Speaker" guys would may want to use them. I just don't see OEM guys putting silicone around the speaker connector to keep it inside the box.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #13 on:** 12 May 2010, 02:57 pm »

The press fit will keep it in the box. The Silicon is just to seal it. You can use any type of adhesive or sealer.

jtwrace · « **Reply #14 on:** 12 May 2010, 03:00 pm »

What about the guys that want to retrofit the speaker with this? Is there a different size so if the binding post they have is larger they can still use it? Also, will he be selling these to say Cardas who says he's the only one that can terminate his cables? What about the other cable manufacturers? Are they going to have access?

ebag4 · « **Reply #15 on:** 12 May 2010, 03:00 pm »

Danny,
I a special crimping tool required?

Best,
Ed

sts9fan · « **Reply #16 on:** 12 May 2010, 03:08 pm »

Yeah you gotta put a nut on the back of that thing. It WILL come loose.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #17 on:** 12 May 2010, 03:14 pm »

Quote

What about the guys that want to retrofit the speaker with this? Is there a different size so if the binding post they have is larger they can still use it?

Most binding post from Cardas or Vampire fit through a slightly smaller hole, so a retro fit to these is real easy.

Quote

Also, will he be selling these to say Cardas who says he's the only one that can terminate his cables?

They will be available to any company that wants them. I already know of several speaker manufactures that are coming on board. Several of my clients that I have designed product for will be using them as well.

Quote

I a special crimping tool required?

A standard crimping tool that you would use with any other spade of banana will work fine with these.

Quote

Yeah you gotta put a nut on the back of that thing. It WILL come loose.

No way. I am done with trying to get a nut on something inside a small speaker with no room to even get a wrench in there. If inserted properly and sealed or glued in with something, they won't come out.

jtwrace · « **Reply #18 on:** 12 May 2010, 03:17 pm »

Did you have any input on the design? I can't wait to read the patent.

jdbrian · « **Reply #19 on:** 12 May 2010, 03:39 pm »

Looks interesting.

Years ago I did some tests on conventional binding posts and spades/bananas. I used a DC power supply and a 4 terminal measurement setup to measure the resistance of the post/banana or spade connection. The spade connection was much lower resistance than bananas. I think the difference is the large surface area of the spade and the fact that you can get a good tight connection. I prefer spades myself. I have used the locking type bananas but IMO they are not as good as a spade and are harder to deal with. The spade connection can always be made tight and is not as subject to wear as a conventional banana plug. It would be interesting to see how these stack up for DC resistance compared to a post and spade.
These look something like the connectors used for high currents made by Superior Electric. They had ratings up to 250amps with 3/8" diamater pins.
In audio we have been saddled with some really crappy connectors. RCA's for instance. XLR's are a far more robust connector although RCA's are not as bad as those awful DIN connectors that European equipment used to come with.
These look like they would be really easy to deal with and may meet the safety regulations for binding posts due to the lack of exposed metal.

Cheers
Brian