'Better' Figure of Eight Mains Cable for Amp - Recommendations.

[RobbieGong]

Is there such a thing ? My amp has the bog standard issue figure of eight mains cable which as you know are fairly thin and basic. Does anyone have recommendation for a good quality figure of eight. How would a 'better' one improve things ? Thanks.

[Oldpinkman]

i daren't :sofa:

[Ali Tait]

http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=45_18&products_id=47

[RobbieGong]

http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=45_18&products_id=47

Nice one Ali :)

[RobbieGong]

i daren't :sofa:

Eh !! :scratch: Say what you gotta say - I for one like to hear views so I can discern and learn ;)

[wee tee cee]

I second that.....my system is wired with MG mains wires...fit and forget IMHO.

[Ali Tait]

Nice one Ali :)

No worries, I use one on my Sky box. Can't go wrong with Mark's cables.

[Oldpinkman]

Eh !! :scratch: Say what you gotta say - I for one like to hear views so I can discern and learn ;)

My understanding from a discussion with a mate, was that a mains cable should make no difference to the sound of hifi equipment, due to how electricity works. Following a holiday thread where I had nothing else to talk about, I ended up starting a very long thread about mains cables which got too long and was closed. As part of that I bought some inexpensive diy cables to try - which were not easy to make properly (but I am not the best it has to be said).

They look very pretty. They look like anything less would be a travesty on serious hifi. They sound identical to any other lead I can find and try to me. I have reasonably good equipment to listen on, and a fine pair of working ears. And a fair bit of experience auditioning equipment at PT long ago.

So - I view mains cables more like other hifi furniture - aesthetics are the primary benefit. Lots of people disagree with me. I am due to have tea with Marco sometime in the not too distant future, where he is going to demonstrate to me what I have been missing.

I have to say, my understanding is they should make no difference at all - and that is what I heard with the cables I bought. They were inexpensive entry level cables, but they were also described as "true audiophile quality" and recommended on this site. Where I think some sort of consensus was reached was that those claiming the benefits of the cables tended towards hyperbole - "huge" "fundamental" etc differences, but that probably any differences were subtle and small.

Which is why I now express the view that mains cables make a significant and important differences to the sound enjoyed from a HiFi, but not as significant and important as that made by the colour of the living room curtains. :cool:

[RobbieGong]

My understanding from a discussion with a mate, was that a mains cable should make no difference to the sound of hifi equipment, due to how electricity works. Following a holiday thread where I had nothing else to talk about, I ended up starting a very long thread about mains cables which got too long and was closed. As part of that I bought some inexpensive diy cables to try - which were not easy to make properly (but I am not the best it has to be said).

They look very pretty. They look like anything less would be a travesty on serious hifi. They sound identical to any other lead I can find and try to me. I have reasonably good equipment to listen on, and a fine pair of working ears. And a fair bit of experience auditioning equipment at PT long ago.

So - I view mains cables more like other hifi furniture - aesthetics are the primary benefit. Lots of people disagree with me. I am due to have tea with Marco sometime in the not too distant future, where he is going to demonstrate to me what I have been missing.

I have to say, my understanding is they should make no difference at all - and that is what I heard with the cables I bought. They were inexpensive entry level cables, but they were also described as "true audiophile quality" and recommended on this site. Where I think some sort of consensus was reached was that those claiming the benefits of the cables tended towards hyperbole - "huge" "fundamental" etc differences, but that probably any differences were subtle and small.

Which is why I now express the view that mains cables make a significant and important differences to the sound enjoyed from a HiFi, but not as significant and important as that made by the colour of the living room curtains. :cool:

I hear ya Richard and respect your views / experience - no worries at all. Whether I agree or not is whole different matter but I do respect your expressing of your experience as shared - Thanks :)

[prestonchipfryer]

Is there such a thing ? My amp has the bog standard issue figure of eight mains cable which as you know are fairly thin and basic. Does anyone have recommendation for a good quality figure of eight. How would a 'better' one improve things ? Thanks.


Hi Rob. I have a Furutech figure of eight plug that is used on a Pioneer DVD 565A. The Furutech is obviously well made but no difference in sound than a standard figure of eight plug IME.

[wee tee cee]

Cant help but think RFI shielding is a good thing....I run balanced mains and shielded MG cable on everything else-the only cable that's unshielded is a extension cord plumbed through the floor to my RHS amp/speaker combo ( statics and various amps ,t and valve mono blocks) during a recent thunder storm the RHS channel was crackling with the lightning LHS was unaffected.......big 5m Ariel?
Sonically I don't hear them.....my goal with all equipment.
Just enjoy you're music .......

[Clive197]

Which is why I now express the view that mains cables make a significant and important differences to the sound enjoyed from a HiFi, but not as significant and important as that made by the colour of the living room curtains. :cool:

Sorry Marco, I can't resist.

Richard, the colour of the curtains are essential to the sound you hear. Let me explain. She Who Must Be Obeyed goes to the shops and buys a pair of curtains for your living room. They are bright orange and you hate them. Being the clever soul that you are, you hang them up. She is overjoyed and gives you a big hug and the goes off to the kitchen to prepare you a meal fit for a king. (Stay with me ). In the meantime you decide that while she is busy you are going to listen to some music, having connected your DIY mains cable. You sit back and enjoy the calm, peace and quite and bask in the glory of a very happy wife and the sound of your favourite music.
See I told you the colour of the curtains can make a huge difference to the sound of your HiFi.

[wee tee cee]

Clive,
I have experienced the same effect with carpets/couches and believe it or not shoes, hand bags and dresses.......after said changes the sonic upgrades can be quite noticeable-now whether you could measure that?

[Mr Kipling]

I've found listening on an empty stomach causes the sound to take-on a hollow cavernous type quality. Don't do it! That's my advice.

Decades ago being a fan of solid core construction I made a mains lead for my Technics cassette with some silver-plated single strand I had. I always used it in place of the standard item.

[Oldpinkman]

It pushes up the price of this hobby. The last minor equipment upgrade cost me a hall and stairs carpet AND main bedroom decorate and carpet.:stalks:

[Mr Kipling]

Found it less stressful on the wallet if you close your eyes. Was going to mention this on the burn-in thread but some do prefer to listen in the dark, while others prefer the lights on. Myself, I do have the lights on. Everything seems. . . How can I say this? . . . Err. . . Well. . . Clearer. . .

[Macca]

.

Which is why I now express the view that mains cables make a significant and important differences to the sound enjoyed from a HiFi, but not as significant and important as that made by the colour of the living room curtains. :cool:

Hmmm... my living room curtains are dark blue. To date I've been happy with them but now you've got me thinking about upgrading.

[Clive197]

HO-HUM. A bit of a thread drift there again started by Richard aided and abetted by me. To get back a bit, Richard and I had a bit of a set-to a few months ago about designer kettle leads and designer kettles. I would like to thank Richard because of his input and the success I had with the kettle I decided to have a go at my designer coffee maker, so with a new designer mains cable looking very pretty connected to the coffee machine, it sounds startling. The burbling noise to say nothing of the aroma has made me a very happy bunny.:D