- Raw K400 cable
- Linn Knekt bananas (old style)
- Lejonklou recommended solder
- Weller WSD80 with broad tip, and
- A modicum of soldering skill.
I have a length of K400 that is too short to be useful and enough BFAs and Knekts to make 3 pairs of speaker cables. What I propose is to make 3 pairs of identical length but very short (no more than 15-20cm) "jumpers" with BFAs at the amp end and Knekt at the other end (my Klout is a late production model that unfortunately requires BFAs). The only variable (at least as far as I can control) will be the iron's temperature. One will be soldered at the temperature Thomas has found ideal on his iron, one at two degrees Fahrenheit cooler, and one two degrees hotter. I can then insert the chosen pair of jumpers in-line with my existing speaker cable, quickly and easily switch between the three, determine the loser, desolder/clean the connectors from that pair and resolder onto a fresh length of cable at a new temperature. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. This method will almost certainly perform worse than a single run of optimum length cable in absolute terms, but I should still be able to determine musical performance strictly from a better-or-worse perspective.
I have a few questions about my proposed method.
1) Can anyone see a flaw in my logic?
2) What is the dependant variable in determining the optimum solder temperature? Is it the
materials being joined? The type of solder being used? The temperature itself? Or a
combination of all the above? In other words...
3) Is the optimum temperature tied to a specific solder type or can I use any ol' solder for the test?
If the optimum temperature is always the optimum temperature regardless of materials being
joined and solder being used I can save what little Lejonklou recommended solder I have on
hand for applications that will actually be used and enjoyed long term.
4) Does the optimum temperature apply only to speaker cable terminations or will it also be ideal
for other applications (circuit boards, interconnects, etc.)? For that matter, is the ideal solder for
speaker cable also the ideal for these other applications?
5) Is there an optimum quantity of solder that should be used? Is this another variable I should control?
I have another amp with proper banana terminals arriving tomorrow so it's time to line up the ducks and get a proper set of cables made! Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide.