Audiofeil - I might never tell the difference but purists prefere crimped (not soldered) spades. I installed AQ spades by crimping and then soldering with 4% silver solder heating wire first to avoid expansion (loosing oxygen free connection). Audioquest does not solder their ICs to avoid additional metal (they weld). I know, I know - I won't be able to tell in blind test but I don't see reason not to - doesn't cost. Each small thing like that might not bring noticable change but it adds up - like peeling almost clear layers from pink sunglasses. Each peel is not noticable but eventually glasses will become clear.
