Wiring things up

[dave_k]

In preparation for the arrival of my first ever hifi components (Marantz PM66SE KI Signature amp and Mission 752 speakers) i need to get some speaker cable, but as i've never wired these things up before i don't know if i need to get banana plugs or similar, or if i can just use the bare wire ends for both amp and speaker ends. I'm sure light can be shed on this here.

Also, i need a handful of reasonable, but inexpensive interconnects (for BD player, xbox, TV etc). Recommendations?

Thanks Folks,

Dave

 

[Andrew Everard]

You can just use bare wire ends if you want, but you need to be careful when connecting up to avoid any loose strands of wire sticking out which may cause shorts, and thus the amplifier protection circuitry to kick in.

Bare wires are fine, though it's worth leaving some slack so every year or so you can cut off the wire end, strip off the insulation to reveal some fresh conductor, and make a better connection. Bare wire ends can tend to corrode over time.

The advantage of banana plugs? They keep air away from the exposed wire ends, if they are soldered on properly, thus avoiding this corrosion, and they can make a more positive connection with the speaker sockets. Oh, and reviewers like them because they make it quicker and easier to connect up equipment.

 

[dave_k]

Thanks Andrew,

I'll probably start with bare wires and buy some more music instead of banana plugs for the time being then.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I shouldn't think you'll get much music for the price of a few banana plugs, even the ones advertised as "top quality" are only a few quid. In fact I would suggest that when you buy your kit you insist that the dealer throws in the banana plugs and fits them for you.

They will normally do this if you are spending a bit on a new system, and you buy the speaker cable from them of course.

Good luck!

David

 

[dave_k]

Could probably get 2 cds for a tenner...

But anyway, I'm not buying new kit from a dealer.

 

[Anonymous]

Not even the cable?

 

[dave_k]

Cable will be new, but i was just going to get some QED classic off Amazon, or even some Aldi stuff if they still have it this evening...

 

[Anonymous]

http://community.whathifi.com/forums/t/382568.aspx

Take a look at the thread above for bananas of Ebay.

BTW I fitted banana plugs on Sunday - for the last fifteen years I've been using bare wire and doing as Andrew suggests (cut a bit off each year and restrip). My new speakers don't have binding posts so no choice!

D

 

[dave_k]

Lol in the end i bought some banana plugs too!

Can't wait for it all to arrive now.