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Ok, how bad really are magnetic materials in binding posts?

dogwan said:
I've seen quite a few videos now on YouTube (including GR Research's) where it's stated over and over how bad it is that manufacturers ruin perfectly good non-ferrous binding posts by using Steel nuts and/or other hardware.

My question is... how bad is it really?
What are the actual consequences?
And at what point do you start to notice?

We see so many vintage speakers and even modern ones where this seems to be the norm. Plus, I keep finding that even Parts Express modern commodity grade caps and resistors intended for speaker work actually have magnetic leads. Whenever I pick up a set of vintage speaks with old spring clips (even the high-end ones from years past) I pretty much automatically replace them with 5-ways. But I don't usually spend big bucks unless they are serious keepers. Which means even the semi-decent 5-ways from Mouser intended for test and instrument equipment comes with gold plated steel nuts and lock-washers. Lately I've started running down to the hardware store and picking up Brass nuts and Bronze lock-washers. I don't mind really. But starting to question my sanity.

What say you all?
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sort of depends on the amplifier etc etc .
 
Of course, the obvious solution is to skip all the binding posts etc, both on the speaker and on the amp, and solder your speaker leads to the ouputs of the amp and the inputs of the crossovers.
 
I read a number of posts here that say "steel hardware in the signal path makes an audible difference...." which is an OPINION. It is what the poster THINKS.

What I DON'T see are any MEASUREMENTS or STATISTICS FROM BLIND LISTENING TRIALS. Without objectivity, all we have are other people's thoughts, and frankly I don't trust that at all.

Since we are rational beings, we need not rely on suspect opinions. We can model the situation to inform ourselves of the reality that is likely to exist here.

A steel bolt or washer on a binding post will be seen by the signal passing through the binding post as an inductance. It's hard to measure, but the best I could measure was about 1 nH. A 1 nH inductor in series with a 4 ohm impedance will yield a low pass filter with a cutoff frequency of 6.33 GHz, If you think placing a 6.33 GHz lowpass in your audio chain is going to create an audible effect, then please send me some of whatever it is that you are smoking.
 
dogwan said:
I've seen quite a few videos now on YouTube (including GR Research's) where it's stated over and over how bad it is that manufacturers ruin perfectly good non-ferrous binding posts by using Steel nuts and/or other hardware.


What are the actual consequences?
Click to expand...
I had to reread the original post to check out what this thread was about.

In my experience, the most important thing is the quality of the connection. Most problems I have seen are due to terminals getting loose or wearing out.

I have have no issues with steel alloys, as long as the quality is up to par.
 
"You Will Die Slowly Douras~~~!"

My GF after getting cut off on the freeway at 75 mph...

Never loose sight of the original purpose of transportation~!
 
I think I have read since my original post that the main tangible reason against ferrous materials in the signal path is smearing of transients. I think the argument goes that magnetic mass will store more energy than non-ferrous and release different frequencies at different rates causing smearing of transients information.

I don't know if that is legit or not. I think I've personally come to the conclusion that it's like talking about "Eddy currents" in low-mass vs high-mass connectors. Maybe my system is near enough to the point on the "diminishing return" long tail to start worrying about it. But, I can also choose to invest in more media instead.
 
The wire is still contacting the binding post directly, so I don't see what a damn nut has to do with anything other than thinking about it for no reason just cause it's there.
 
Took me a moment to realize that by magnetic mass, you didn't mean a mysterious property attributed to magnetism that explains what golden ears are hearing, but a mass that is magnetic.
I am dubious of the argument you seem to accept that magnetic materials smear transients (though I suppose you could claim that electrostatics, which typically don't have magnetic materials in the transducer have better transients that dynamic drivers for that reason -of course, lower mass is a more efficient explanation). But at least you aren't espousing new phenomena, as yet unknown to standard physics, only just revealed by apex audiophiles.
 
Nat said:
Took me a moment to realize that by magnetic mass, you didn't mean a mysterious property attributed to magnetism that explains what golden ears are hearing, but a mass that is magnetic.
I am dubious of the argument you seem to accept that magnetic materials smear transients (though I suppose you could claim that electrostatics, which typically don't have magnetic materials in the transducer have better transients that dynamic drivers for that reason -of course, lower mass is a more efficient explanation). But at least you aren't espousing new phenomena, as yet unknown to standard physics, only just revealed by apex audiophiles.
Click to expand...

Hoo-boy, jeez . I didn't say that I accepted, or even think I came off as "espousing" it.

I merely relayed what I had gathered, and you'll notice my 2nd paragraph opens with a disclaimer of sorts. I then go on to suggest that I would rather make the choice to spend my money on more music rather than Chase this dragon.

So in short, please don't make me your windmill to tilt at.
 
dogwan said:
Hoo-boy, jeez . I didn't say that I accepted, or even think I came off as "espousing" it.

I merely relayed what I had gathered, and you'll notice my 2nd paragraph opens with a disclaimer of sorts. I then go on to suggest that I would rather make the choice to spend my money on more music rather than Chase this dragon.

So in short, please don't make me your windmill to tilt at.
Click to expand...
I suggest working on how you present info. I also read your post as promulgating some crackpot theory, even though you hedged about accepting it. I prefer to post what I know and can back up, not oddball things that I have heard others say.
 
Ok, maybe a little humbled. I think rather than working on how I present info I more need to work on my defensive reaction to "you-statements".
 
dogwan: If you felt I was accusing you of espousing things, I apologize, since I was actually relieved that you weren't advocating a new theory. As RTally noted, I was posting to say that I had misinterpreted what you meant by 'magnetic mass', and to clarify that you were refering to mass that was magnetic, not mass as a property of magnetism.
 
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