SDA binding posts

read-alot

The original binding posts on my SDAs over the years have given up the ghost.I have looked at the gold replacements sold at parts stores.Is there anything specific I need to know before I do this or just jump in.I have always needed to know how deep the water is before I jumped in and its always the no brainers that seem to bite me in the end.

F1nut

Which SDA model do you have? Cardas makes a very nice binding post, top quality that depending on your model can be a easy install.

read-alot

They are the first edition 2s.

F1nut

Ok, so you only have one set of posts, that will make it easy. The Cardas posts will fit the original holes with the mounting plates provided. You can look at and buy the Cardas posts here, http://www.soniccraft.com ,click on parts and then Cardas. You need the shorts.

If you have any questions about the install, I can talk you through it.

I-SIG

How do these stack up to the Vampire's?

Wes

F1nut

Wes,

I'm not familiar with the Vampire posts, but it seems that alot of folks think the Cardas can't be beat. Take that for what it's worth.

Jesse

read-alot

Thanks F1 those look great.
Do I need the eutectic solder or will silver do?
I have welded race engine cylinder blocks back together with eutectic welding rod but never heard of the solder.

I-SIG

Thanks, Jesse. I know the McGowen Bros. always recommended the Vampires. I installed some Vamps on my 1C's. I only think they helped the sound, but I know they made connections vastly easier.

My Parasound 2200 wasn't quite in good of shape as advertised, so I may be looking to upgrade binding posts on that monster soon as the plastic "nut" has come off the metal nut.

Wes

F1nut

Read-alot,

Any solder will do, although I used the Cardas and found it nicer than anything I'd used before.

Wes,

I totally agree with you, I don't think the posts made any difference in sound quality, but they are heavy duty, you don't have to worry about oxidation and they do make hook ups easier. Do you have a link for the Vampires?

I-SIG

Here ya go, Jesse:

http://www.welbornelabs.com/vampconn.htm

Both the Cardas and the Vamps seem to built about the same in terms of materials, layering etc. I do like the fact that the Vamps seem to have two nuts on the backsid eto connectthe wire between. Unless I looked at the picture wrong, the Cardas didn't seem to have that.

Wes

F1nut

Thanks Wes, you're right only one nut on the Cardas, but then again they expect you to solder the wire to the post. After I installed the posts I cover the entire area with hotglue to help prevent oxidation and keep everything in place. I don't think one could go wrong with either brand, much better than stock.

I-SIG

Originally posted by F1nut
Thanks Wes, you're right only one nut on the Cardas, but then again they expect you to solder the wire to the post.

Ahhh, gotcha. If there enough wire on the binding posts in the amp, I might try some compression terminations (rings) and bolt them up, rather than soldering and such. I need to pull the cover and see what that Parasound looks like inside.

Wes

dorokusai

I think either Vampire, Cardas or even WBT is a physical improvement without a doubt. If it does something sonically, I could care less....the better quality construction is worth every penny.

The Parasound should be double sided, meaning two nuts....well that sounds odd

DarqueKnight

Originally posted by I-SIG
How do these stack up to the Vampire's?

Wes

I use Cardas CCGR (gold plate over copper), Cadas HCBP (nickle plate over brass), and Vampire BP-HEX (gold plate over brass) as replacements for the stock binding posts in various SDA models.

Honestly, I cannot perceive a sonic difference in either of the three models mentioned above. They all provide a very subtle increase in detail over the stock posts. I think the small improvement in detail may be due more to the fact that the three posts mentioned above are much larger than the stock posts and therefore offer more metal. It is sort of like the advantage you gain by going to a larger diameter speaker cable.

The Cardas posts do provide a more secure connection for the large spade connectors that I prefer to use.

In addition to www.soniccraft.com, two other sources for both the Vampire and Cardas posts are Parts Connexion (www.partsconnexion.com) and DIY Cable (www.diycable.com). I have ordered parts from all three companies and have had good experiences with each one. DIY Cable has the largest variety of Cardas connectors, particularly binding posts, that I have found so far.

Handmade Electronics (www.hndme.com) sells Cardas posts, but I have never purchased any from them. I have purchased other parts (capacitors) from them. Handmade offers volume discounts and has frequent sales.

Another parts vendor that carries both Cardas and Vampire is Michael Percy Audio (www.percyaudio.com). The only complaint I have about MPA is it that it is (or was) a one man operation and it sometimes took weeks to have an order filled. I have not ordered from them in a long time, so the long delivery times may have improved by now.

I-SIG

Originally posted by dorokusai
The Parasound should be double sided, meaning two nuts....well that sounds odd

Really? So swapping the binding posts on the Parasound should be the equivalent to a "bolt-on" mod for car? SWEET!!!! I'll definitely check it out!

raife1, thanks for the info.

IMHO, with Welbourne Labs offering the Vampire BPHEX's for $30 for a set of four, the Vamps seem like a no-brainer, not to mention the possible increase in flexibility of connecting the source.

Wes

read-alot

Not too bad for the only bad thing to happen on something older than Sid.Original drivers still intact.

dorokusai

Wes,

No not that easy, hehe....I meant they are most likely secured on both sides WITH nuts....mine are also soldered. I hope it is easy for you tho', that would be cool. I have Vampire's on my CTC, but it came with them installed.

I-SIG

Mark,

Just wishful thinking on my part. Actually, I might be able to get some good help on the soldering after all. Surely someone in our meter shop has to do that stuff. I'll go check...

Wes