Hoping to learn a little here

[dflee]

I purchased the demo Orchard Audio Ultra DMC V1 tour amp at what I consider a decent price. In thinking about upgrading the binding posts took the cover off and started assessing the terrain noticed the posts are connected to the board via slip on. The board male piece and the slip on female look to be the same material and would like to know what that material is? I go to all these extents to try and get the best interconnect and posts yet the slip on just doesn't look like a material I would think of as great quality. Am I knitpickin here? Does that connection mean that much overall? Is there a better slip on than generic? Would a solid copper, gold plated binding post be better than the brass in this situation?

Thanks guys
Don

[ejk]

Welcome to the Orchard. Why not ask Leo?

[Nick B]

I’d be very curious to know as well. My Orchard Starkrimson is a great amp, but most of us are trying to squeeze every bit of performance out of our gear.

[P.I.]

I purchased the demo Orchard Audio Ultra DMC V1 tour amp at what I consider a decent price. In thinking about upgrading the binding posts took the cover off and started assessing the terrain noticed the posts are connected to the board via slip on. The board male piece and the slip on female look to be the same material and would like to know what that material is? I go to all these extents to try and get the best interconnect and posts yet the slip on just doesn't look like a material I would think of as great quality. Am I knitpickin here? Does that connection mean that much overall? Is there a better slip on than generic? Would a solid copper, gold plated binding post be better than the brass in this situation?

Thanks guys
Don

Of course you are nit picking here, because you are, after all, Nit the Magnificaent!

It is what we do: we tweak for the 1%.  Not a big deal, but do it 10 times and you might get a 10% (or greater) improvement.

Personally, I would never use spade connectors for any application in audio that demands SQ.  If you want to make a good connection, use a method that excludes oxygen.  At very least I would clean the connections and use some of that graphene contact treatment I sent you.

Me?  I would do what I always do:  look for the purest copper content, low mass connectors available and solder them with lead free solder, at very least.

Of course... this means you have to flex your soldering skills.

[GDHAL]

I purchased the demo Orchard Audio Ultra DMC V1 tour amp at what I consider a decent price. In thinking about upgrading the binding posts took the cover off and started assessing the terrain noticed the posts are connected to the board via slip on. The board male piece and the slip on female look to be the same material and would like to know what that material is? I go to all these extents to try and get the best interconnect and posts yet the slip on just doesn't look like a material I would think of as great quality. Am I knitpickin here? Does that connection mean that much overall? Is there a better slip on than generic? Would a solid copper, gold plated binding post be better than the brass in this situation?

Thanks guys
Don

Of course you are nit picking here, because you are, after all, Nit the Magnificaent!

It is what we do: we tweak for the 1%.  Not a big deal, but do it 10 times and you might get a 10% (or greater) improvement.

Personally, I would never use spade connectors for any application in audio that demands SQ.  If you want to make a good connection, use a method that excludes oxygen.  At very least I would clean the connections and use some of that graphene contact treatment I sent you.

Me?  I would do what I always do:  look for the purest copper content, low mass connectors available and solder them with lead free solder, at very least.

Of course... this means you have to flex your soldering skills.

Per Triode Pete. Best solder,

Quad Eutectic Solder patented by Western Electric... http://www.cardas.com/solder.php

[steve]

I purchased the demo Orchard Audio Ultra DMC V1 tour amp at what I consider a decent price. In thinking about upgrading the binding posts took the cover off and started assessing the terrain noticed the posts are connected to the board via slip on. The board male piece and the slip on female look to be the same material and would like to know what that material is? I go to all these extents to try and get the best interconnect and posts yet the slip on just doesn't look like a material I would think of as great quality. Am I knitpickin here? Does that connection mean that much overall? Is there a better slip on than generic? Would a solid copper, gold plated binding post be better than the brass in this situation?

Thanks guys
Don

I don't think you are nit picking Don. I have seen/heard just one part make or break a system.

If one goes from brass to "copper", from rhodium to "copper", or added 12pf across a 47ufd poly capacitor, 
and clearly heard a sonic difference.

Just my thoughts

steve

[P.I.]

Not a fan of most commercial binding posts.  Here are the ones that I prefer:

https://eti-research.com/binding-posts/

The Faston terminals on the amp are tin plated brass.  The binding posts you ordered are copper.  The connectors that you ordered are directly plated gold on copper.  Hook them up and hear.  That is the only way to know.

Basically, what Steve said! 

[Nick B]

Not a fan of most commercial binding posts.  Here are the ones that I prefer:

https://eti-research.com/binding-posts/

The Faston terminals on the amp are tin plated brass.  The binding posts you ordered are copper.  The connectors that you ordered are directly plated gold on copper.  Hook them up and hear.  That is the only way to know.

Basically, what Steve said! 

What nice quality on the ETI, especially the silver plating over tellurium copper and cryoed as well. I really appreciate companies that make quality products….

[steve]

I should have read all the posts closer. I meant no offense Dave.

Cheers and all the best.

steve

[P.I.]

I should have read all the posts closer. I meant no offense Dave.

Cheers and all the best.

steve

There was no offense taken!