[racjr]

I'm ordering some new speaker cable for my vandersteens and I would like to know if a gold or silver spade is better . Aq says silver and my Vandersteen dealer said gold . Also what is best on the amp side .


Thanks , Ron

 

[kevin gilmore]

silver is a better conductor. It also oxidizes over time. silver oxide

while still a conductor is nowhere near as good as pure silver.


gold is just slightly less conductive and does not oxidize. However

many of the gold plated connectors are gold over nickel over various

other metals over copper. These things are horrible.


gold directly plated on either silver or copper is the way to go if

you can find them.


You can make them yourself if you have access to a fume hood.

gold cyanide is not a user friendly compound.

 

[Bob Crump]

Kevin, silver will not oxide at room temperature and that black stuff is sulfide.....

 

[kevin gilmore]

I'm well aware of silver sulfide. Its the junk that causes your

sterling silver to tarnish. You can use various cleaners to reduce

the silver sulfide back to silver and sulfur gas. That is why

it stinks so bad when you use tarnx.


silver oxide is something else. And it does form over time. I'm talking

about months to years here. In low sulfur atmospheres the silver

oxide will form first with the sulfur on the outside.


If you have access to a spotwelder you can always spot weld some

10 mil gold foil on top of the silver spades.