Dreadnaught Question

VCoak
VCoak Posts: 200
edited February 2014 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
I am just about to finish building the dreadnaught. My question is should I solder the transformer wiring to the binding posts? or use spade connectors. FYI, my soldering gun is 30w. Read last night that soldering binding posts can be difficult. Help! I am so close

mco
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,563
    edited February 2014
    VCoak wrote: »
    I am just about to finish building the dreadnaught. My question is should I solder the transformer wiring to the binding posts? or use spade connectors. FYI, my soldering gun is 30w. Read last night that soldering binding posts can be difficult. Help! I am so close

    mco

    Well if it was me I'd get some good gold plated fast on's and call it a day.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,647
    edited February 2014
    If they are Cardas binding posts, your soldering iron will not get them hot enough.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,741
    edited February 2014
    Yeah, it would take you two years with a 30w soldering iron :p
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • VCoak
    VCoak Posts: 200
    edited February 2014
    Just finished on some old speaker wire and posts. Solder did not hold very well. Crimped spades are next. And yes Cardas. Thanks guys.
    mco
    W4S SX-1000, Adcom gfp-750, Polk 1.2tl, W4S DAC 2 DSDse, 2012 mac mini (mod), JRivers ver. 19, WD Cloud NAS 2 t.b., Monster Cable AVS-2000 signature, Doug's Alpha I/C & Doug's biwire 6' speaker cables
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,300
    edited February 2014
    Get a better soldering iron, if this is the stuff your going to get into..
    Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

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  • VCoak
    VCoak Posts: 200
    edited February 2014
    I mostly solder PCB and small gauge wiring for computers. As I progressed back into audio after a 20 year hiatus, one I missed a boat load of stuff, two it is great that folks like yourselves take the time to help (THANK YOU), and at the end; hearing great music with SQ and not through ear buds. LOL.
    W4S SX-1000, Adcom gfp-750, Polk 1.2tl, W4S DAC 2 DSDse, 2012 mac mini (mod), JRivers ver. 19, WD Cloud NAS 2 t.b., Monster Cable AVS-2000 signature, Doug's Alpha I/C & Doug's biwire 6' speaker cables
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,647
    edited February 2014
    What Cardas posts have terminals for fastons?
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Moose68Bash
    Moose68Bash Posts: 3,843
    edited February 2014
    When I (a real newbie) took on building two Dreadnoughts, I bought a Weller WES51 analogue soldering station.

    Great tool, reasonable price, and plenty of heat for Cardas binding posts. I expect to use it for years.
    Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.

    Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One.

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  • VCoak
    VCoak Posts: 200
    edited February 2014
    Thx Moose.. Just curious, does soldering enhance SQ more than crimping? Especially since this is a
    dreadnaught and not IC's or speaker wire. Not so bad being the newbie here. Everyone has helped a lot.
    W4S SX-1000, Adcom gfp-750, Polk 1.2tl, W4S DAC 2 DSDse, 2012 mac mini (mod), JRivers ver. 19, WD Cloud NAS 2 t.b., Monster Cable AVS-2000 signature, Doug's Alpha I/C & Doug's biwire 6' speaker cables
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,303
    edited February 2014
    VCoak wrote: »
    Thx Moose.. Just curious, does soldering enhance SQ more than crimping? Especially since this is a
    dreadnaught and not IC's or speaker wire. Not so bad being the newbie here. Everyone has helped a lot.

    Use a 60/40 solder or better, and yes a GOOD solder connection is better
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
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    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • VCoak
    VCoak Posts: 200
    edited February 2014
    I currently have 4% silver and two small rolls of unknown. The wires from the transformer were tinned by A.L. Should the binding post be treated the same?
    W4S SX-1000, Adcom gfp-750, Polk 1.2tl, W4S DAC 2 DSDse, 2012 mac mini (mod), JRivers ver. 19, WD Cloud NAS 2 t.b., Monster Cable AVS-2000 signature, Doug's Alpha I/C & Doug's biwire 6' speaker cables
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,303
    edited February 2014
    You have a good solder cut off the tinned from AL that was for their protection

    Just re-tin all the way back to insulation, the Cardas posts are plate treated
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • VCoak
    VCoak Posts: 200
    edited February 2014
    My neighbor offered his 100w gun. Pretty big compared to my old 30w. I'll practice with it before and see how it goes.
    W4S SX-1000, Adcom gfp-750, Polk 1.2tl, W4S DAC 2 DSDse, 2012 mac mini (mod), JRivers ver. 19, WD Cloud NAS 2 t.b., Monster Cable AVS-2000 signature, Doug's Alpha I/C & Doug's biwire 6' speaker cables
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,563
    edited February 2014
    F1nut wrote: »
    What Cardas posts have terminals for fastons?

    none that I know of. You can buy gold plated rings at auto stores that accept fast ons and some of the other binding post come with them. that is what I was alluding to.
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited February 2014
    I soldered my AL tranny to Cardas BP's with a 40 watt iron, so the 100 watt should make quick work of it. Be sure and make a good mechanical connection; don't depend on the solder for the strength of the connection. It's only supposed to hold everything in place.

    May help to clean the BP's with isopropyl alcohol to remove any manufacturing oils. Good luck - you can do it!
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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