What style stacking banana plugs to use?

[Tom May]

Hi,

I'm sold on the idea of using banana plugs on my ASM-1 because it
allows stacking.  But I have some questions for banana plug users: do
you prefer the kind with the wire coming out parallel to the plug, or
perpendicular?  Also what kind of wire to use for patch cords: test
lead wire, lamp cord, what?  Maybe it's not that big a deal, I'm just
trying to avoid the "I'll never do it that way" again syndrome.

Tom.