MC452 speaker connector

[joey_corleoni]

Hi all,

Upgrading my speaker wire between my Focals and MC452. Banana is great on the speaker side, but not so great on the McIntosh side. Seems banana plugs only go in about half way. I am thinking spades would be better?

Are there different size spades? What size do I need for the MC452?

[Yamaki]

There are two rings on the McIntosh speaker connector.

The top ring is a locking ring. Loosen that one first. Then loosen the bottom ring. Insert the banana, tighten lower ring, then tighten the top locking ring.

[Cohibaman]

Originally Posted by Yamaki

There are two rings on the McIntosh speaker connector. The top ring is a locking ring. Loosen that one first. Then loosen the bottom ring. Insert the banana, tighten lower ring, then tighten the top locking ring.

What he said. +1

[joey_corleoni]

Brilliant!!! I have been doing this wrong forever. They are so much better now. Feel like a total moron. Thank you!

[Yamaki]

Hey, I was in the same moron boat at first.

Glad you got it sorted out!

[joey_corleoni]

The first one I did I ratcheted down too tight and kind of crushed my banana plug but oh well, it is nice and secure

[Cohibaman]

Originally Posted by joey_corleone

The first one I did I ratcheted down too tight and kind of crushed my banana plug but oh well, it is nice and secure

Lol!!!

[joey_corleoni]

It's all good....I was able to use a small screwdriver to get it back perfect. Wow, it really does sound better too. Way more "oomph".

Next time I think I will go for spades though. Seems they might be better for the kind of connector we have on the mc452 and you don't have to wonder if you are crushing it

[joey_corleoni]

Just out of curiosity, WTF are they showing in the manual with banana plugs? Makes no sense to me. Looks like the wire is hooked to a banana plug of sorts that then is in contact with another banana plug inserted into the top hole of the binding post. Bizarre.

[SX-626]

Thanks for this post. It explained a lot of what happened to me. I also don't understand the manual on the bananas. The manual doesn't show 2 rings to tighten as mentioned above. Did you find 2? It will take some time and work for me to get back there to look for myself.