Mains Distro Blocks - Possible Bargains?

[RSC]

Was out doing a bit of Xmas pressy shopping last night and wandered into our local Comet store.

Yeah, I know ... anyway, thought I should share this with all (UK based) Artistes.

Mains power distribution blocks are perhaps the least sexy topic in hi-fi, but I bet several people use them. You'll need to act quickly if you want to do anything about this (http://storage.comet.co.uk/www/splas...e_closures.htm) but they are clearing out various Monster branded surge protection blocks.

I bought a 6 way unit for £24, as opposed to the marked price of £75 - there were still a few of them left, as well as various other units.

Feel kind of guilty taking advantage of other people's impending redundancy like this, but c'est la vie ... and if passing this info on is useful to you guys ...

A few on ebay, this one for example: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Monster-Po...item3f1ff8eff8

[Tim]

Both of your posted links go nowhere Rob

[Marco]

Hi Rob,

If you're looking for an 'audiophile-designed' mains distribution block (and if you've got a good hi-fi system, you should be), as opposed to simply a tarted-up 'B&Q-style' power strip, which will do your system little sonic favours, then the best performing and most nicely constructed one, without question, is Mark Grant's 6-way one, shown here:

http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/in...roducts_id=193

That's what many others and I use, and it's fab!

Marco.

[icehockeyboy]

Hi Rob,

If you're looking for an 'audiophile-designed' mains distribution block (and if you've got a good hi-fi system, you should be), as opposed to simply a tarted-up 'B&Q-style' power strip, which will do your system little sonic favours, then the best performing and most nicely constructed one, without question, is Mark Grant's 6-way one, shown here:

http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/in...roducts_id=193

That's what many others and I use, and it's fab!

Marco.

With all due respect, there is a motorway difference in price!
And yes, I do appreciate it is a fab bit of kit, but its 8 times the price of the Monster one.

[RSC]

Both of your posted links go nowhere Rob

Just checked this: sorry guys! The last of the Comet stores close on 18 December, my first link showed the closure dates of their remaining stores. If interested, then a quick search should tell all about the situation local to you.

The ebay link: the auction has been removed, presumably vendor has sold out now?

[RSC]

Hi Rob,

If you're looking for an 'audiophile-designed' mains distribution block (and if you've got a good hi-fi system, you should be), as opposed to simply a tarted-up 'B&Q-style' power strip, which will do your system little sonic favours, then the best performing and most nicely constructed one, without question, is Mark Grant's 6-way one, shown here:

http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/in...roducts_id=193

That's what many others and I use, and it's fab!

Marco.

Cheers Marco - I'll admit to being a bit of a cynic about cables in general, although I'm starting to experiment a bit ... hence a £24 "dip a toe in the water" exercise seemed reasonable.

I've previously built a few basic main distro blocks, but they've always cost more in parts than £24 AND not had any surge suppression fitted.

In no way belittling Mark's unit or doubting what it does for you or your system, but Craig's nailed it - the price difference is huge!

[Wakefield Turntables]

Hmmm I think I need to d my toe into a mark grant distribution block

[jandl100]

I agree with Marco that mains filtering blocks can seriously fook up the sound.

Those MG blocks look the biz - I use a Pro-Ject Connect block like this. You can also get a 4 way version. No filters or 'protection', it just splits the power feed to separate outlets without fooking about with it.

I was happily using a normal but decent Belkin 'surge protected' distro block but thought I'd try the 'pure signal path' approach of the ProJect (and I am sure the MG). I was genuinely shocked at the improvement in sound quality - it wasn't at all subtle! The ProJect block has the advantage (?) of having an IEC input socket rather than a captive lead, so you can use the audiofoo lead of your choice to connect to it.

I think the price of the 6-way ProJect block is £169 (the 4-way is £109) - you then have to add the cost of the mains lead going in to it - so in value terms the MG looks pretty good to me. But you are restricted to MG cable for the input lead - which many folk would not consider a hardship!

[synsei]

The most I have paid for a distro block was just under 100 quid from MCRU (an oak bodied unit sporting silver plated, 2 way mains sockets, Belden 19364 shielded mains cable and a silver plated MK mains plug). This was absolutely necessary to double up on the single socket I have available to me after my landlord refused to allow me to make any modifications to the mains sockets in the house. I have to say the product is supremely well constructed and performed exactly as promised.

[Wakefield Turntables]

+1 with regards to mains filtration systems, they screw up your sound. I had a Isotek unit costing several grand, I convinced myself the system sounded better but after a week of comparison without it I realised I was loosing one hell of a lot of detail. I'm debating how to manage my power supply next year, I don't know if I should modify the house supply and go down the mg distribution block or just simply get a ps audio p10