View Full Version : Losing my grip - component interconnect question
foxysounds
16-10-2026, 16:22
After 40 years of rheumatoid arthritis I'm literally losing my grip to the point where I now need pliers in order to remove interconnects from my amplifier - which doesn't generally matter because I rarely remove them - but right now I need to give my amp a service and I'm thinking ahead to when I put the cables back in.
All hifi interconnects I've ever used (apart from the really cheap ones that come with entry-level components) have been difficult to insert and remove. It doesn't help that the sockets on the amp are too close together to get a finger between them so you can't even get a good solid grip on them. I know they need to be snug to make a reliable connection but I honestly think that most are ridiculously and unnecessarily tight. Back in the bad old days when I used cheap and cheerful interconnects I never once had one that didn't make a sufficiently snug contact.
Has anyone come across a hifi interconnect cable that inserts and removes fairly easily? For reference I'm currently using a QED QNect II to connect my DAC to my amp so I'm talking that sort of price bracket or a bit more if necessary to solve the problem.
Alternatively does anyone have any useful tricks or tools for making my existing ones easier to insert and remove?
(If you have found every interconnect you've ever used easy to insert and remove then you clearly have finger joints made of titanium :lol:)
Thanks,
Simon.
I don't know if it's only expensive cables that are like that but I only have one that is a struggle and that's an Audioquest I bought more than 30 years ago.
I think the solution would be get some different cables. There's no need for them to fit so tight, and no benefit to it.
I have some Furutech RCA connectors that are screw tight and some Chinese knocks offs of the same that are pretty cheap.
Try and look for something similar? They are easier... you literally control how tight they grip the terminal.
The trouble with RCA phono connectors is the tolerances on both the inner and outer connection is poor, so that on seemingly identical connectors one will be a tight fit, whereas its neighbour might be a looser and more manageable fit.
I make up all my cables, so I can't recommend a particular brand, save to say choose one which use longer housings on their plugs that extend past their neighbours, so it will be easier for you to mate and de-mate them in future.
foxysounds
16-10-2026, 18:26
> Post deleted because I made a mess of trying to edit it on my phone. <
foxysounds
16-10-2026, 18:30
I have some Furutech RCA connectors that are screw tight and some Chinese knocks offs of the same that are pretty cheap.
Try and look for something similar? They are easier... you literally control how tight they grip the terminal.
Oh, that sounds interesting, thank you! I'll look into that.
foxysounds
16-10-2026, 18:31
I don't know if it's only expensive cables that are like that but I only have one that is a struggle and that's an Audioquest I bought more than 30 years ago.
I could be wrong but if you've only experienced one set of tight cables then I suspect we may have a different definition of "tight"!
foxysounds
16-10-2026, 18:34
... choose one which use longer housings on their plugs that extend past their neighbours, so it will be easier for you to mate and de-mate them in future.
That's an interesting thought, thank you. Unfortunately I would probably need their neighbours to be longer too. Everything longer than everything else!
I could be wrong but if you've only experienced one set of tight cables then I suspect we may have a different definition of "tight"!
I've got interconnects from 7 different brands plus the 'Red & White' ones you used to get with Jap kit years ago, they all slot in and out with no issue. Just that Audioquest is different. Probably that's not a wide enough selection to have encountered more tight fits? I don't know.
Another thought is to use cables fitted with right-angle plugs. If you alternated these with cables fitted with straight, but long bodied, plugs on neighbouring sockets that might do the trick.
The problem seems to be that the sockets are too close together for you to get a good grip on the plugs.
Lawrence001
16-10-2026, 19:21
What's that company that makes fancy ones but they're mainly plastic with little metal contacts inside? They're quite loose from the ones I've had.
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What's that company that makes fancy ones but they're mainly plastic with little metal contacts inside? They're quite loose from the ones I've had.
Sent from my moto g75 5G using Tapatalk
KLE? Have those on mine although there's only 1 set of RCA cables needed in my set up. They're no bother to plug and unplug but I think they're expensive.
foxysounds
16-10-2026, 21:02
I've got interconnects from 7 different brands plus the 'Red & White' ones you used to get with Jap kit years ago, they all slot in and out with no issue. Just that Audioquest is different. Probably that's not a wide enough selection to have encountered more tight fits? I don't know.
OK that's genuinely surprising to me because I don't have as many different types as that (3 plus the very basic red & whites) and only the cheap ones move easily so perhaps I've been a bit unlucky after all!
foxysounds
16-10-2026, 21:08
Another thought is to use cables fitted with right-angle plugs.
That's a great idea, thank you!
The problem seems to be that the sockets are too close together for you to get a good grip on the plugs.
That's at least part of the problem, yes.
foxysounds
16-10-2026, 21:08
KLE? Have those on mine although there's only 1 set of RCA cables needed in my set up. They're no bother to plug and unplug but I think they're expensive.
Yes, they're a bit pricey really :-(
Would a pair of soft jaw pliers help?
Failing that, look at p,ug pullers. There may be something suitable
I have some Furutech RCA connectors that are screw tight and some Chinese knocks offs of the same that are pretty cheap.
Try and look for something similar? They are easier... you literally control how tight they grip the terminal.
I would definitely suggest this - I think the ones I have were probably Furutech too, but the outer casing screws in and out, so you slacken it off which allows the connecting surfaces to expand, allowing easy connection to the socket, then you screw the outer casing back in, which tightens the connection. Great idea, and works very well.
It would help if those who suggested Furutech RCA plugs could state the model number: Furutech make several versions of RCA plugs, and it is difficult to see which ones have the screw tightened collet that have been recommended.
Genuine Furutech items are expensive, some are very expensive. Ali Express offer much cheaper examples, but these are almost certainly Chinese offerings; though probably none the worse for it.
I'll post some info later, Barry.
Don't think the Chinese copies are the same as the Furutech originals. They are not in the same quality league. They will do the job, though.
I bought my Furutechs off here 2nd hand. Still pricey.
Thanks Justin. If you can post the model number, we will be able to find an image. :)
First pic real Foo right hand pair, fake Foo left hand pair. Second pic fake Foo bottom, but a different fake Foo than the first pic. But I also think the top green wire has a Foo connector - real Foo but cheaper. That was made by Paul at RFC and he told me they were Furutech but they aren't current production. Also all use real Foo cable.
Real Foo is definitely these: https://www.futureshop.co.uk/furutech-cf-126-rhodium-high-end-performance-rca-connector-pack-of-2
Absurdly expensive but when you take them apart they use a totally different design which is much easier to work with than the fakes.
Note the web page makes no mention of how they lock into place.
There must be some cheap RCAs that work in the same way. I am not sure the OP is up to making his own cables.
I did look quickly on Amazon but didn't see anything obvious.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20261018/30f05da1b8aab2156279f23e27c3b137.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20261018/0dcee09ffc1ab59c340a9152c276b233.jpg
I doubt mine were Furutech then, if they’re expensive as I am a cheapskate when it comes to cables especially. I am not even sure where they are, but these are the sort of design I was talking about
https://compassaudio.co.uk/product/pro-phono-rca-plugs-heavy-duty-locking-connectors/
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I doubt mine were Furutech then, if they’re expensive as I am a cheapskate when it comes to cables especially. I am not even sure where they are, but these are the sort of design I was talking about
https://compassaudio.co.uk/product/pro-phono-rca-plugs-heavy-duty-locking-connectors/
Sent from my iPad using TapatalkLook identical to mine above. They should be fine.
Those Furutech plugs with a hexagonal cross-section could be tightened and loosened with a spanner placed across the flats, but if the sockets are too close together that won't be possible. Nor will it be possible just by using one's fingers.
An alternative might be to use Neutrik plugs, which will grip like there is no tomorrow, but again, these are not really suitable if one has a weak grip.
I think the only real solution is to follow Kevin's suggestion of using soft nose pliers whose jaws have a semi-circular shape of ~8mm in diameter.
Further to Kevin's suggestion of using spark plug pliers - the typical diameter of the jaws is 5/8" (or 15mm). We need pliers that have a somewhat smaller jaw diameter. The search goes on!
I mentioned soft jaw pliers, not spark plug pliers.
You can get them in lots of different sizes. ;)
Soft jaw pliers will not grip the plugs securely - even if they are parallel pliers. Remember the OP has difficulty gripping things firmly with strength.
I am aware.
Pliers will amplify the grip.
The other option would be something like a plug puller.
These are commonly used on mains plugs, but I have yet to see one suitable for an RCA plug.
I am aware.
Pliers will amplify the grip.
The other option would be something like a plug puller.
These are commonly used on mains plugs, but I have yet to see one suitable for an RCA plug.
It was typing in 'plug puller" into Google and seeing only examples for mains plugs that made me wonder if you meant plug pliers.
walpurgis
19-10-2026, 09:02
Have you looked at dental forceps? There are many shapes and angles of use, the jaws can be wrapped in insulating tape or heat shrink tubing if required to avoid marking plugs.
Excellent idea Geoff! Looking at the varieties available, those used to extract the third back molar would look to be suitable.
As the OP is using QED QNect II cables, I am wondering if it would be possible to add a string pull loop.
The idea is to unscrew the barrel slightly, and a string and re-tighten the barrel.
Failing that, you may be able to do something similar with a cable tie around the body of the connector to add a loop.
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