Linn Knekt speaker plugs

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The FlatEarther
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Linn Knekt speaker plugs

Post by The FlatEarther »

Are we still agreed that the Knekts are still the best sounding plugs? Or are there better ones out there?
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Re: Linn Knekt speaker plugs

Post by Matteo »

I'm searching for a pair of Linn K20, but it seems that is difficult to find a dealer that uses Knekt bananas ...

M.
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Re: Linn Knekt speaker plugs

Post by The FlatEarther »

Matteo wrote:I'm searching for a pair of Linn K20, but it seems that is difficult to find a dealer that uses Knekt bananas ...

M.
The team at Cymbiosis can supply you the plugs.
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Re: Linn Knekt speaker plugs

Post by Matteo »

The FlatEarther wrote: The team at Cymbiosis can supply you the plugs.
Professionally soldered?
Outside UK?

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Re: Linn Knekt speaker plugs

Post by Matteo »

One of the many dealers recently contacted replied as follows:

We do use Deltron connectors, but the crimp on type, using a high pressure (25,000lbs / in2) crimp tool. This is much better than soldering as it cold welds the metals together and removes the variability of solder temerature / consistency / heat transfer time / cleanliness etc. all of which have an effect on the impedance of the joint.

We use them in many installations for both HiFi and home cinema with excellent consistent results. We Double crimp the connector to give an even better connection. Also the mechanical strength is much higher than soldering and it doesnt work harden when flexed.
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Re: Linn Knekt speaker plugs

Post by anthony »

The FlatEarther wrote:Are we still agreed that the Knekts are still the best sounding plugs? Or are there better ones out there?
Steve
The solder and temperature make as big difference
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Re: Linn Knekt speaker plugs

Post by The FlatEarther »

anthony wrote:
The FlatEarther wrote:Are we still agreed that the Knekts are still the best sounding plugs? Or are there better ones out there?
Steve
The solder and temperature make as big difference
Agreed I only use Rederik’s solder and set the temperature at 353’.

You need a quality soldering station to be able to solder LS plugs at this heat.
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Re: Linn Knekt speaker plugs

Post by The FlatEarther »

Matteo wrote:One of the many dealers recently contacted replied as follows:

We do use Deltron connectors, but the crimp on type, using a high pressure (25,000lbs / in2) crimp tool. This is much better than soldering as it cold welds the metals together and removes the variability of solder temerature / consistency / heat transfer time / cleanliness etc. all of which have an effect on the impedance of the joint.

We use them in many installations for both HiFi and home cinema with excellent consistent results. We Double crimp the connector to give an even better connection. Also the mechanical strength is much higher than soldering and it doesnt work harden when flexed.
b

Knekt plugs are not the Linn gold plated Deltrons.
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Re: Linn Knekt speaker plugs

Post by lejonklou »

Matteo wrote:One of the many dealers recently contacted replied as follows:

We do use Deltron connectors, but the crimp on type, using a high pressure (25,000lbs / in2) crimp tool. This is much better than soldering as it cold welds the metals together and removes the variability of solder temerature / consistency / heat transfer time / cleanliness etc. all of which have an effect on the impedance of the joint.

We use them in many installations for both HiFi and home cinema with excellent consistent results. We Double crimp the connector to give an even better connection. Also the mechanical strength is much higher than soldering and it doesnt work harden when flexed.
Crimping is cheaper, faster, more consistent for unskilled workers and mechanically stronger. So far not the optimal for loudspeaker connectors, partly due to Knekt sounding the best. But I also find that optimally soldered Deltrons sound better than crimped ones.

But some power connectors do sound best crimped. It's not as simple as one technique always being superior, it's rather trial and error and don't subscribe to a doctrine.
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Re: Linn Knekt speaker plugs

Post by The FlatEarther »

lejonklou wrote:
Matteo wrote:One of the many dealers recently contacted replied as follows:

We do use Deltron connectors, but the crimp on type, using a high pressure (25,000lbs / in2) crimp tool. This is much better than soldering as it cold welds the metals together and removes the variability of solder temerature / consistency / heat transfer time / cleanliness etc. all of which have an effect on the impedance of the joint.

We use them in many installations for both HiFi and home cinema with excellent consistent results. We Double crimp the connector to give an even better connection. Also the mechanical strength is much higher than soldering and it doesnt work harden when flexed.
Crimping is cheaper, faster, more consistent for unskilled workers and mechanically stronger. So far not the optimal for loudspeaker connectors, partly due to Knekt sounding the best. But I also find that optimally soldered Deltrons sound better than crimped ones.

But some power connectors do sound best crimped. It's not as simple as one technique always being superior, it's rather trial and error and don't subscribe to a doctrine.
Spot on Frederick I completely agree. Though I would add for those new to soldering that it is crucial to make the best mechanical connection possible before applying the solder and mandatory to ensure the solder not just melts but flows throughout the joint.
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Re: Linn Knekt speaker plugs

Post by matthias »

Fredrik,
what do you think about:
Crimping, if possible and then soldering the crimped connection.
IMO, two advantages:
No movement between both parts during soldering and perfect heat transfer.
Thanks

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Re: Linn Knekt speaker plugs

Post by Sopper »

My guess is that the solder won’t flow on crimped contacts, so no go
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Re: Linn Knekt speaker plugs

Post by matthias »

Sopper wrote:My guess is that the solder won’t flow on crimped contacts, so no go
I do not apply maximum crimping pressure, then I put the piece in vertical direction and apply solder on the top. The solder flows perfectly into the crimped joint.

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