An ode to the paperclip (for old amplifiers' binding posts)

[AJM1981]

I currently own four classic 70s amplifiers with two in active use. On occasion I like to swap them within a few minutes. Now, the binding posts of some are challenging. The sansui au505's were among those ones (spring clip terminals) and the au101 just sports regular small screws.

It started with the au505, that I needed pin connectors. I only owned cables with banana plugs, and did not want to get or make different sets. So I created some solid paperclip extensions by warping them around the plug and it works really well. Then i created some for all my ancient amps and I think they fit in any system ever made.

Pro-tinker tip: never inform a passionate audiophile about it.

 

[mhardy6647]

My personal go-to for most interoperability issues is a big ol' bag of clip leads.

For binding posts, and especially for those abominable but very popular spring loaded bare wire connectors that were nigh-on ubiquitous in the 1970s on Japanese-sourced audio components, I have been known to insert finishing nails into the holes and clip lead to those.

Yes, my audiophile cred was low enough already that it didn't suffer one whit when I began posting here @ ASR.