MS Audio / Klotz MC5000 interconnects build offer for all AoS members

[Barry]

If they are not connected to the source then they are acting as an antenna, they need to be terminated by the source impedance for it to be meaningful.

No - the shield needs to be connected to the point of lowest electrical potential, which may or may not be at the source. The point of lowest electrical potential is the mains earth and the point where the signal return connects to it (along with the metalwork of the case). This will not be at the source if the source is double insulated and uses a two core mains lead.

If the cable has its shield connected to earth at the preamplifier, then regardless of whether the other end is connected to a source or not, the pick-up of noise will be minimal.

[NRG]

No - the shield needs to be connected to the point of lowest electrical potential, which may or may not be at the source. The point of lowest electrical potential is the mains earth and the point where the signal return connects to it (along with the metalwork of the case). This will not be at the source if the source is double insulated and uses a two core mains lead.

If the cable has its shield connected to earth at the preamplifier, then regardless of whether the other end is connected to a source or not, the pick-up of noise will be minimal.

Re-read what potatoha wrote Barry. There is no shield and no source connected.

[Barry]

Re-read what potatoha wrote Barry. There is no shield and no source connected.

My test is done with the cables connected only to the preamp with no source. Yes, I do get all sorts of noise, a la hiss, crackle, pop, hum, etc. with un-shielded MC5000s past 12 o'clock volume. On the other hand, it's dead quiet with grounded shield MC5000s near max volume.

"un-shielded MC5000" = "all sorts of noise, a la hiss, crackle, pop and hum",

"grounded shield MC5000" = "dead quiet".

The above observations were made with no source connected.

If the MC5000 cable was connected between a source and preamp, then it could well function correctly without the shield being connected anywhere. It would depend on the environment.

I have heard unscreened cables (made from 300 Ohm aerial feeder) working well in a system, with no obvious pick-up of interference.

[Gazjam]

Guys,
can I remind y'all this is a sales thread...kinda?

[Desmo]

I've just made up a few runs of MC5000 cable, but I've used KLE Harmony connectors rather than the MS Audio plugs, as I could not find a supplier of those. I followed Brian's model, and left the shield unconnected at both ends. The result in my system is hiss, hum and other interference. Other than this background noise, the cables do sound good, but I will have to do something about the hiss. I'll be rewiring the plugs so that the shield is connected at the source end, and I'll post the results in a few days.

If anyone is interested, the cables are installed between my DAC and Pre amp, and between the Pre amp and the Power amps (I bi amp, so there are two pairs of cables between the pre and the power amps).

[Marco]

I've just made up a few runs of MC5000 cable, but I've used KLE Harmony connectors rather than the MS Audio plugs, as I could not find a supplier of those. I followed Brian's model, and left the shield unconnected at both ends. The result in my system is hiss, hum and other interference. Other than this background noise, the cables do sound good, but I will have to do something about the hiss. I'll be rewiring the plugs so that the shield is connected at the source end, and I'll post the results in a few days.

Interesting, Graeme… Do let us know how you get on

Marco.

[YNWaN]

Guys,
can I remind y'all this is a sales thread...kinda?

Perhaps it should be pruned a bit then with quite a lot of the more recent comment (including my own) moved to a thread of its own?

[brian2957]

Including my own sets and those made for others I've never had any problem / feedback suggesting that these cables cause problems without the shield connected .

[Desmo]

Interesting, Graeme… Do let us know how you get on

Marco.

Hi Marco,

Well the MC5000 cables have been modified so that the shield is connected at the source end, and the background hum has gone! I must stress that I can only comment on the effect in my set up. As has been said many times before, system synergy is fairly important.... Brian says he has had no one report a similar problem with any of the cables he has supplied to date.

Soundwise, first impressions are very good, bass in particular seems tighter, but I suspect that a few more hours running in will be beneficial.

[brian2957]

Interesting Graeme . As ever it's what sounds best in your system and to your ears . These cables do indeed seem to benefit from 20-30 hours of use.