Looking for pure copper or Cu/Au bananas

Vampire is out of business, and the PCX stock is, AFAIK, the very last of it.

Neutrik makes very affordable XLR’s with silver contacts, and I use them exclusively. Now that I’ve simplified my gear though I only have 2 analog line level connections:

• XLR cables between my DAC and integrated.
• RCA cables between the AVR and the integrated for which I use Eichmann bullets for.

Wow! Just looked.  Interesting.  The DH Labs is the same part based on my use of them when Vampire was out of stock. They are equally good. PC has far too many out of stocks.  

A note on heatshrink.  Not all heat shrink are created equally.  I have used some pretty horrible heatshrink that wrinkles and kinks when shrunk.  The end result looks like absolutely crap.  The Polyolefin 3:1 heatshrink from Sonic Craft is really nice.  I'm sure many other places have good heatshrink.

The heavy duty adhesive lined heatshrink can be used, but keep in mind that if you ever want to remove those banana plugs, the adhesive lined heatshrink is going to be a pain to remove and it's going to leave a glue film on the metal/cable.  For instances where I want a heavier duty heatshrink, I just use two heatshrink tubes to provide a double-wall (one on top of the other).

Good point on Sonic Craft! Great source.

I use a heat gun to remove the adhesive lined heat shrink pretty easily with no mess. Cut a slit being careful not to gouge the connector barrel and then apply heat. The shrink separates and pulls away. Let it cool a little, then pull the rest off with minimal residue. Sometimes none!

I also agree on the Sonic Craft heat shrink.

I like Furutech XLR connectors, both chassis and plugs. I would also not hesitate to use Vampire chassis connectors. I have made many cables using the expensive Furutech 601/602 connectors but more recently I have been just as happy with cables I have made using Vampire and/or DH Labs (which appear to be Vampire) XLR connectors. The money I spent on the 601/602 connectors was probably overkill. Vampire’s upscale Xhadow connectors should also be very good, if you want to spend more money. Do not use Cardas chassis connectors (they break IME).  Neutrik of course is an industry standard and can be found on moderately to expensively priced cables and/or equipment.