Warning: Nakamichi plugs made of IRON
 

I discovered that Nakamichi banana plugs and spade terminals are gold plated iron, NOT "pure copper" as advertised. Note that it appears that Nakamichiplug.com is NOT associated Nakamichi.com; I have no issues with Nakamichi (the real one) gear. I have seen several postings on this forum and others about using Nakamichi banana plugs and other connectors, and wanted to let folks know that they are an overpriced piece of gold plated iron. Hey, they look nice, and the moderate price would make one think that they're getting a good deal. Nope. :mad:

Discovered by breaking a tip on a spade plug trying to get it to fit an 8mm post; copper doesn't snap like that and upon magnification is definitely not copper by looks. Filed down that piece, and sample filings on other pieces and also some banana plugs, discovered all were a gold plating on copper plating on soft iron. Finally verified it by dropping it in some hydrochloric acid, and as expected the iron reacted (slowly). (Don't have any nitric acid to test with which is very reactive with copper but not as much with iron.)

FYI.

Or you could just try a magnet.

That's a bit of a cheek, ripping off the name and the logo.

The complete lack of any "about us" info on their website should be a warning sign - not even a name, address or phone number. The domain name registration fills in a few blanks, though...

p.s. Do they stick to magnets?

Iron? Probably more of a 'pot metal' mix of tin, zinc, iron, lead, aluminum, and maybe a little bit of copper.

OK. Thanks.

Has anyone got a good source for low-ish cost good quality bananas and spades?

Rgds
blakk

I have some Nakamichi bananas in the living room. Will have to test if they stick to magnets or not...

Don't throw stones, but I would suggest these. Dont have to worry about quality and they are good enough for fine test euipment. solderless to boot.

Digi-Key - 501-1359-ND (Manufacturer - 5934-0)

probly some radiation thrown in for shnits n giggles...:D

Gives the sound body!:D I have had multiple cables, interconnects, and connectors, and the only ting I have heard a difference in was stranded vs solid. I do believe i can hear that. I traded my brothers eichmann plugs with fancy silver wire in for diy Belden solid core RG6 and Neutrik RCA and he nor I could tell the difference.

heh...you need to clean your ears with irradiated q-tips...:D