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binding post break in

yesterday I replaced my binding posts on my rogue audio m150 monos with the highly regarded wbt nextgen copper binding posts and yes there was more detail,but it was also thin and not as harmonic and rich, and not as open sounding as before. I have been listening to the wonderfull sounding kenny burrell guitar forms latey and have really liked how it sounded on my system,but after I put in the wbts his guitar sounded strummy and hooded , the higher strings sounded thinner and the middle and lower strings sounded sucked out . well crap. is this another case of [ it needs 256 and a half hours of break in and then it will sound great!] or what? has anybody out there had any experience with these binding posts ? I am very good at soldering so i dont think that a bad joint is the reason I am hearing what I do, any ideas ? is there a richer sounding binding post with some body and still very good low level detail ? or will they really change that much with some break in ? thanks , chris
chrissain

Showing 5 responses by almarg

almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
When you did the work, were the tubes in place, or did you first remove them? Actually, in either case perhaps the jostling affected them in some way, especially if they have seen a lot of use.

Also, are you sure your cable terminations are clean?

Beyond that, I second the comments from Shadorne and Rlwainwright.

Regards,
-- Al
almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
Can the WBT's act as a resistor?

The solder joints could, if not done properly, and the contact with the cable terminations could, if oxidation, grime, etc. is present.

But my instinct, not having seen the work being performed, would be that the number one suspect would be the possibility of mechanical jostling affecting the tubes. Perhaps by dislodging minute detritus that may have been present on some of the elements. Especially, as I said in my previous post, if they have been heavily used.

Regards,
-- Al
almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
These possibilities come to mind:

1)Psychological adaptation to the sound, as Tvad suggested.

2)Tubes re-burning in following the mechanical effects that the work may have had on them. Such as the possibility I mentioned that the jostling dislodged minute detritus (particles that had burned off of the filaments and wound up on other elements) -- perhaps it is re-accumulating.

3)Residue from the contact cleaner that you applied before doing the soldering gradually dissipating, perhaps as a result of current being passed through the connection.

Regards,
-- Al
almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
I cleaned the ribbon with a polishing cloth and contact cleaner

Hmm, was the contact cleaner Pro Gold or something like that, which I think is designed to leave a microscopic residue. I wonder if that's a good idea for a soldered connection -- I don't know the answer, but it causes me to wonder.

Also, I suspect the answer to this is yes, but just to be sure -- did you follow the old adage about heating the part and not the solder?

Regards,
-- Al
almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
You guys can all laugh...but my local S&M club takes this very seriously. If you ever got badly chaffed wrists then it is no laughing matter!!!

See the thread about contact treatments. Maybe the Walker stuff would be helpful!

-- Al :)
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