Mains cables

[Gordon Steadman]

I am one of the recipients of Dave at MCRU's free end of run mains cables. He knew I was a sceptic before he sent them to me.

I have always been doubtful about any claims about how a piece of wire can affect the flow of electrons and I remain doubtful. However, I have inserted the new leads into the system. One into the power amp and one into the CD player.

It all sounded fantastic before (Leak Stereo20 / ESL57s / Pioneer PD -S901- Origin live/RB300 TT) and it still sounds fantastic. I sat my wife - she of the ears of a bat - down and we listened to our favourite music so we knew the sounds. It was my opinion, and hers, that there was a small change for the better. Perhaps an increase in clarity - perhaps!! The change was very subtle. It seems to me, the benefit is in the shielding. I have always tried to keep my mains cables away from signal leads but it's not always possible, so this is a good way of stopping any effect from any fields the cable might emit.

The lead to the amp made the difference but to the CD we could hear no difference at all. I would say, that our mains is pretty good here and the fact that the French system means everything is on separate spurs means less muck from other things in the house.

These cables sell for between £6 and £8 per metre so isn't exactly excessively expensive and its well built for the money. Just trying to get them fitted to standard plugs certainly says something about how solid they are!!

If we would feel tempted to spend that for the small changes I am not sure. It was an interesting experiment that did surprise me a little. I may yet decide to try some for the Quads, although I suspect they wouldn't benefit as much as the amp.

Make of that what you will but at least for a reasonable outlay, it may well be worth a try.

[Stubies]

thanks for your honest review Gordon!

This topic is a bit of a controversy :eyebrows:

I have decided to buy some as well - not expensive ones, just the basics!

[Gordon Steadman]

thanks for your honest review Gordon!

This topic is a bit of a controversy :eyebrows:

I have decided to buy some as well - not expensive ones, just the basics!

Oh noes - not controversy. I am so ashamed to get involved in such a thing:lol:

[Gazjam]

If its the same stuff I got from David at MCRU that I used for my balanced mains system then its superb stuff.
Is it the 4mm or 6mm wire?

Regarding plugs, just fit Wattgate type plugs rather than "normal" ones.
Until I fitted some of those I had to cut away half the cable just to get it in the plug.
Not ideal!

[Gordon Steadman]

If its the same stuff I got from MCRU that I used for my balanced mains system then its superb stuff.
Is it the 4mm or 6mm wire?

Regarding plugs, just fit Wattgate type plugs rather than "normal" ones.
Until I fitted some of those I had to cut away half the cable just to get it in the plug.
Not ideal!

No idea but I know its a bit big!! No problem with the plugs, I just get a big drill and............(especially interesting with Bulgins!!)

[Oldpinkman]

I had an englishman abroad thread about this. I am open minded - and plan to review when I get home.

But I am open minded about Harry Potter being real too until I have a chance to finally confirm he is not. How are the fairies at the bottom of the garden doing>

[Gordon Steadman]

I had an englishman abroad thread about this. I am open minded - and plan to review when I get home.

But I am open minded about Harry Potter being real too until I have a chance to finally confirm he is not. How are the fairies at the bottom of the garden doing>

I was wondering when we would hear from you:lol: The bottom of our garden is too far away to see at night. I believe that is when the fairies are supposed to come out and play so I can't confirm one way or the other.

Glad to hear you are open minded.

Thinking of passing by?

[Stubies]

Well if anyone wants to try it, MCRU has some great DIY low cost options available, they were posted on his folder, but i will put a link here just to make it easy for anyone.

If the principle works - these should show it. And they are priced right!!

oops, edit: link removed
seems the link stopped working. Just PM MCRU and ask, he sent me a temporary link to use !

[MCRU]

Well if anyone wants to try it, MCRU has some great DIY low cost options available, they were posted on his folder, but i will put a link here just to make it easy for anyone.

If the principle works - these should show it. And they are priced right!!

oops, edit: link removed
seems the link stopped working. Just PM MCRU and ask, he sent me a temporary link to use !

Here they are (http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/diy-mains-lead-sets/612-mcru-no-2-diy-mains-lead-set-lapp-cable.html#)

[Oldpinkman]

I was wondering when we would hear from you:lol: The bottom of our garden is too far away to see at night. I believe that is when the fairies are supposed to come out and play so I can't confirm one way or the other.

Glad to hear you are open minded.

Thinking of passing by?
Ha - been bored with what's on here and nearly bought a house. On balance I think we probably won't be this time, but I used to be indecisive and now I'm not so sure. Your report of mains cables actually makes some sense. Clearly the shielding element has some science behind it and could have a real benefit. It was in the context of my AV input hum problem that I consulted my mate about whether that would be a good solution. I forget the detail but it was something like shielding the mains cables is arse-about face - the correct shielding should be on the signal cables, and don't lay the bloody things so close to each other, and the type of electromagnetism in question needed different shielding. But not - it absolutely won't make any difference.

My problem is that the claims for mains cables go way beyond this. Your "tiny - maybe we can hear it" difference, in the context of shielding has a ring of truth (although still the capacity for self-deception if it can't survive a blind test to confirm - and it is in the nature of tiny differences that you usually can't pick them blind - often suggesting they are more in the mind). But I am looking at 50 bucks for a fairly cooking kettle lead (there are 200 buck plus options). I would need these for pre-amp, power amp, CD, DAC, and arguably sub-woofer, TV, AV amp, Sky box, Blue ray player and Wii if I am to get a full shielding effect, together with 2x multiway distribution blocks. That's 10 times £50 for the cheap version - to get a possible tiny hum improvement. Shoving the signal cables up a bit of central heating pipe (or making proper signal cables, or putting up with hum on the AV input cos its not much and its only the home cinema, seem a better option)

No - the big claim is, if I buy a £50 kettle lead for the power amp it makes "fundamental" "staggering" "essential" improvements to the sound, not by reducing interference with the signal, but by providing "cleaner" power for the piece of kit to use. And this is bollocks. There - I've said it. It teases at the idea that better reference DC improves the performance of audio products - and it does. But better AC doesn't achieve that. And no mains cable "improves" AC.

Again - there is an element of possible science here. Filtering noisy mains could eliminate interference and many of these kettle leads appear to include a filter. But one filter on the front should do the job. The frustration is, acknowledging I have a slightly flippant, possibly irritating style, nobody has risen to the challenge of either offering any science, or offering to provide decent credible test evidence for the efficacy of the things. They just go quiet and run for cover as if their silent superiority will demonstrate their case , and indulging in debate or response lowers them to my level.

Not unlike Stan Berrisfords response to my response to his cock-up about "safety" soldering high current connections.

There - that and a flaky internet connection and nothing to remotely interest me on here when I do connect, but mostly the lack of rationality and objectivity - where's the bloody wine bottle? Anyway - I though you had fled the continent for months?

We'll hit the bottle together one day
:cool:

[Gazjam]

...to be fair, the cables linked to are only a tenner, and they do improve the sound over a standard kettle lead.

[Gordon Steadman]

acknowledging I have a slightly flippant, possibly irritating style

We'll hit the bottle together one day
:cool:

As if.........
...............cheers

[Stubies]

I agree, for 10 quid, it is worth a try, even without the scientific white papers ;)


...to be fair, the cables linked to are only a tenner, and they do improve the sound over a standard kettle lead.

Dave, thanks for the improved link! i think this is a great value!!

[Oldpinkman]

I agree, for 10 quid, it is worth a try, even without the scientific white papers ;)



Dave, thanks for the improved link! i think this is a great value!!

That is fair. £10 is both reasonable and affordable. I will buy 2 right now, try them when I get home, shut up until then, and positively writhe in anticipation of my system sounding better. OK - my fabulous recent carpentry with plywood and an electric drill means they are going to be a bit of a fiddle to fit.

The lunch gong has sounded :cool:

[Gordon Steadman]

Ha - been bored with what's on here and nearly bought a house.
There - that and a flaky internet connection and nothing to remotely interest me on here when I do connect, but mostly the lack of rationality and objectivity - where's the bloody wine bottle?

:cool:

Hmmm..... I thought that going on holiday was supposed to fill you with love, peace and goodwill towards all men. Your mood, if I may be so bold as to say, doesn't exactly seem to reflect this.:rolleyes:

Good job I can't afford such things as holidays:)

[Oldpinkman]

Hmmm..... I thought that going on holiday was supposed to fill you with love, peace and goodwill towards all men. Your mood, if I may be so bold as to say, doesn't exactly seem to reflect this.:rolleyes:

Good job I can't afford such things as holidays:)

I am filled with love and goodwill generally. Mr chilled. Just designing our house and wandering round our field, wishing the last teenager would age a bit quicker. No - away from my toys its hard to find anything positive to contribute. When I get back I will have the cartridge matching, return of the integral, and project PT pimp to keep me quiet and contributing without griping.

Without that there is a real sameiness to the posts ("Buy a techie and all its bits, change a capacitor and save a life, Quad amps forever (no dig at Barry - I am itching to read his post when I am back on unlimited), buy a dodgy 80's MM cartridge and change your life with better cables... and peasants like you being rude about opera)

Peace, love and goodwill man :cool:

[Gordon Steadman]

I am filled with love and goodwill generally. Mr chilled. Just designing our house and wandering round our field, wishing the last teenager would age a bit quicker. No - away from my toys its hard to find anything positive to contribute. When I get back I will have the cartridge matching, return of the integral, and project PT pimp to keep me quiet and contributing without griping.

Without that there is a real sameiness to the posts ("Buy a techie and all its bits, change a capacitor and save a life, Quad amps forever (no dig at Barry - I am itching to read his post when I am back on unlimited), buy a dodgy 80's MM cartridge and change your life with better cables... and peasants like you being rude about opera)

Peace, love and goodwill man :cool:

Yeah yeah, I'm convinced:lol:

You stop being rude about Quad and I'll stop being rude about those warbling fat women - OK?

[Oldpinkman]

I am not rude about Quad. I am a great fan of Quad. I am likely to end up with at least one pair of their speakers, and have used their power amp for over 20 years, reckon the current dumping idea one of the few stand-out innovations after AK's PT turntable, and acknowledge that their pre-amps have great merit for the price and age.

They are just not unbeatable against all comers. As for fat warblers you have no idea of the thin ice on which you skate. I feel it is time you met Mrs S and I'll stand you a French wine lake to say that to her face. Remind me which particular seedy corner of the garlic-reeking Republique you are hiding in. We are formulating our plans for la retour.

:ner:

[Firebottle]

Watch out Gordon, there's an Oldpinkman about :eek:

[Gordon Steadman]

I am not rude about Quad. I am a great fan of Quad. I am likely to end up with at least one pair of their speakers, and have used their power amp for over 20 years, reckon the current dumping idea one of the few stand-out innovations after AK's PT turntable, and acknowledge that their pre-amps have great merit for the price and age.

They are just not unbeatable against all comers. As for fat warblers you have no idea of the thin ice on which you skate. I feel it is time you met Mrs S and I'll stand you a French wine lake to say that to her face. Remind me which particular seedy corner of the garlic-reeking Republique you are hiding in. We are formulating our plans for la retour.

:ner:

Hmm.... it depends on which wine lake you have in mind. I can't swim but I can probably make an attempt to empty it first. My wife takes care of the seeds, she is a professional gardner and yes it has been a particularly good year for the onion family. I know this because I have to string the damn things. Onions, garlic, shallots, 'undreds of the damn things.

I would have you know that Ronnie has the best right hook in the business and I am quite sure that, if I promise to mow the grass properly in future (all the edge bits too:() she will leap to my defence should you decide to slum. The Charente is quite a big area and there are one or two other Steadmans living here. You may not be able to find us.

[Gordon Steadman]

Watch out Gordon, there's an Oldpinkman about :eek:

Apparently, its his wife I have to worry about. I expect all those muscles developed from singing have other uses too.