Upgrading Power Cables

[RobbieGong]

Does anyone have experience, is it worth doing and what are the benefits ?

[Tarzan]

Does anyone have experience, is it worth doing and what are the benefits ?

In my room and system MOST DEFINATELY.

Others may disagree.

[brian2957]

Lower noise floor , more detail , lower cleaner bass , better mids and top end . In short , improvements in all areas in my system . Well worth doing IMO . :)

[Sovereign]

Lower noise floor , more detail , lower cleaner bass , better mids and top end . In short , improvements in all areas in my system . Well worth doing IMO . :)
I agree, I had an amp with a captive mains lead for quite a while, I upgraded it to a MArk Grant DSP 2.5. I was listening to piano music before and after the upgrade. After the upgrade the piano was suddenly bigger and weightier as if the pianist was playing with more oomph. Yes as Brian said, more solid bass and more air and detail at the top end.
No one knows what difference it will make in your system, but I would encouage you to give it a go. Mark Grant mains cables are very good and great value, he may even offer a money back service it your not happy.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Just get yourself some well screened decent quality copper cable a good example is Belden. Buy yourself a decent plug and male IEC connector. You should pay less than £30 for a decent setup. Make it yourself, plug it in and then listen to the music. I've had VERY VERY expensive leads in my system (Approx £60k) and noticed bugger all difference.

[Tarzan]

Just get yourself some well screened decent quality copper cable a good example is Belden. Buy yourself a decent plug and male IEC connector. You should pay less than £30 for a decent setup. Make it yourself, plug it in and then listen to the music. I've had VERY VERY expensive leads in my system (Approx £60k) and noticed bugger all difference.


£60K amains cables?:eek::youtheman:

[RobbieGong]

Thanks guys, ties in with pretty much what I read somewhere recently. The guy had upgraded the cable on his high end CDP and was amazed at the lower noise floor as well as the other stuf mentioned, hence my thread for clarification :)

Where can I get genuine better shielded / screened cable from ? I'm thinking for amps, cdp's and other gear that is made with the cable soldered in from manufacture, rather than separately connected lead.

[brian2957]

Yup , agree Mark Grants cables are excellent and very reasonably priced . Mark is also a true gent to deal with . :)

[RobbieGong]

I'll give Mark a shout when I'm ready, that's much appreciated :)

[DSJR]

Loads of placebo's where mains leads are concerned if you're not careful imo. I have to say though, that the mark Grant mains cable is affordable, very well put together and did seem to improve things just a little I thought.

[YNWaN]

You can get Olflex and Belden cable from eBay for approx £7.00 a metre if you are up for making your own.

[killie99]

Good mains plug (MK Toughplug are good for thick cables), good connector (Martin Kaiser C13 IEC) and good cable (Lapp or Belden). It might not make any difference to the sound but they will last a lifetime and if your hifi still sounds crap at least you'll know it's not the cables!

[Wakefield Turntables]

I used to have several of these plumbed into my system.

http://www.highendcable.co.uk/Nordost%20ODIN%20Power%20Cords.htm

They did nothing in my system and I found that the supplied walwart cables produced greater extended bass, greater seperation of instruments, an inky black silence... :rfl:

[RobbieGong]

Good mains plug (MK Toughplug are good for thick cables), good connector (Martin Kaiser C13 IEC) and good cable (Lapp or Belden). It might not make any difference to the sound but they will last a lifetime and if your hifi still sounds crap at least you'll know it's not the cables!

:lol:

[brian2957]

:lol:

Troo Troo:D

[struth]

My system only sounds crap to others...it sounds great to me though;)

[brian2957]

Sounded dam good to me the last time I was over Grant :)

[Gazjam]

Mostly all hardwired nowadays, but regarding plugs I always preferred Mk "Safetyplugs" over the Toughplugs.
The screw down wire terminal, as opposed to the wee grub screw, allowed for far thicker cable to be used.
http://static.rapidonline.com/catalogueimages/Module/M063623P01WL.jpg

[brian2957]

I used to have several of these plumbed into my system.

http://www.highendcable.co.uk/Nordost%20ODIN%20Power%20Cords.htm

They did nothing in my system and I found that the supplied walwart cables produced greater extended bass, greater seperation of instruments, an inky black silence... :rfl:

Flippin eck Andrew that's a lot of money . I've had a couple of the Shivas in my system and didn't particularly like their effect on the music either . Did you sell the Nordost cables and what are you using now Andrew .

[struth]

Flippin eck Andrew that's a lot of money . I've had a couple of the Shivas in my system and didn't particularly like their effect on the music either . Did you sell the Nordost cables and what are you using now Andrew .

Whisky and stereos dizny work.. hic :lol:

[struth]

Sounded dam good to me the last time I was over Grant :)

Thinking of going mostly digital again and selling the TT:mental:

[brian2957]

Yup :mental: :lol: The little Pi was sounding rather good though . Decisions Decisions :scratch:

[struth]

Yup :mental: :lol: The little Pi was sounding rather good though . Decisions Decisions :scratch:

I'd still have a TT but maybe not as grand as the thorens is. Probably have to sell it in bits though alas.

[RobbieGong]

I used to have several of these plumbed into my system.

http://www.highendcable.co.uk/Nordost%20ODIN%20Power%20Cords.htm

They did nothing in my system and I found that the supplied walwart cables produced greater extended bass, greater seperation of instruments, an inky black silence... :rfl:

Blooming heck !! Those prices are absolutely nuts IMO, beyond my thinking why anyone would even think of paying those sums no matter how much money they had, but what do I know :scratch:

[struth]

Blooming heck !! Those prices are absolutely nuts IMO, beyond my thinking why anyone would even think of paying those sums no matter how much money they had, but what do I know :scratch:

your very sensible Robert. 20 grand for a 5m cable is a disgrace imo but like you, what do I know:)

[walpurgis]

Thinking of going mostly digital again and selling the TT:mental:

Grant. The very nice TD160 you have, could potentially be replaced, but good MC25FLs are like hens teeth these days. You'd have a job finding another good'un and it's so nice.

I guess you are thinking of the need to move regularly when playing records, so I can see why all digital may appeal. Must admit my mobility is a bit buggered at the moment. Right knee is playing up badly. Dunno what I've done. :rolleyes:

[struth]

Grant. The very nice TD160 you have, could potentially be replaced, but good MC25FLs are like hens teeth these days. You'd have a job finding another good'un and it's so nice.

I guess you are thinking of the need to move regularly when playing records, so I can see why all digital may appeal. Must admit my mobility is a bit buggered at the moment. Right knee is playing up badly. Dunno what I've done. :rolleyes:

Yes thats it in a nutshell. I'd keep the cart and put it on anything I got as a replacement ... Its just a thought at moment but being all remote dig wise bar changing a cd every 45 mins is better than every 15 or so. its only gonna get harder the way things are going so maybe an easy to use and less sensitive model would do me for occasional use. either that or keep as an ornament lol... the PI is remarkably good and Ive managed to get connection with other pcs when I need it now.

[brian2957]

The turntable is too nice to be left as merely an ornament Grant . Someone somewhere must be looking for a beautiful turntable like this , if you do decide to sell it :)

[Gazjam]

Thinking of going mostly digital again and selling the TT:mental:

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
(and NO)
:donk:

[brian2957]

So it's a NO from you then Gary :lol:

[clap]

I agree, I had an amp with a captive mains lead for quite a while, I upgraded it to a MArk Grant DSP 2.5. I was listening to piano music before and after the upgrade. After the upgrade the piano was suddenly bigger and weightier as if the pianist was playing with more oomph. Yes as Brian said, more solid bass and more air and detail at the top end.
No one knows what difference it will make in your system, but I would encouage you to give it a go. Mark Grant mains cables are very good and great value, he may even offer a money back service it your not happy.

Both of these posts reflects my experience also. The MG 2.5 are a good starting point. The plugs and iecs are just as impt as the cable.

[daytona600]

Mains cables are Foo mine are 2quid from tesco connected to a offgrid PV system
well designed equipment with correctly designed PSUs should work on 50hz & 240v no matter what mains lead you use

the sun never sends you a bill , clean , free , lecky for life

[cyclopse]

Mains cables are Foo mine are 2quid from tesco connected to a offgrid PV system
well designed equipment with correctly designed PSUs should work on 50hz & 240v no matter what mains lead you use

the sun never sends you a bill , clean , free , lecky for life

But mains is the fuel of our systems. Others including me have paid attention to fuses, internal and external and heard differences. Starve the electronics of clean unrestricted power and you will not hear it's true potential.

Regards

Cyclopse

[brian2957]

But mains is the fuel of our systems. Others including me have paid attention to fuses, internal and external and heard differences. Starve the electronics of clean unrestricted power and you will not hear it's true potential.

Regards

Cyclopse

Good post Stephen :)

[struth]

Mains wise I found by using a good filter and a regenerator I solved my mains issue. I have a lot of industrial units(most quite old) and a new electric railway and my mains was dirty. it was often a bit high but now gets supplied with 230v 50hz at all times. as a result I have not had to worry about the expense of mains cables.

[walpurgis]

Phew! Or is it Foo?

I've tried a few 'fancy' mains cables, screened and not and never heard any difference. I don't bother now and have no mains issues and a bloody good sounding system! So there!! :)

[daytona600]

But mains is the fuel of our systems. Others including me have paid attention to fuses, internal and external and heard differences. Starve the electronics of clean unrestricted power and you will not hear it's true potential.

Regards

Cyclopse

if mains is the problem then don,t use the mains
generate your own power from solar
cleaner , less Emc/Rfi & free + makes your system sound better
costs less than a couple of Foo mains cables

[Wakefield Turntables]

Guys, I would never pay the sort of prices that Nordost ask for a mains cable. I was merely taking the piss. I use DIY Toughplug, Belden, Iego products to make my mains leads.

[Macca]

Does anyone have experience, is it worth doing and what are the benefits ?

Yes, no and none. ;)

Maybe I have good quality mains - but even if I didn't I don't understand how a cable can change that. And as said earlier if the kit is well designed noise on the mains should not be an issue.

How do I reconcile this with the fact that perfectly credible people report quite obvious and notiable improvements when using fancy mains leads? The answer is: I can't'.

[daytona600]

http://www.theaudiobeat.com/blog/fono_acustica_sinfo.htm

some people spend £10k +

[doodoos]

I would suggest a decent mains conditioner / regenerator should come before upmarket mains cables although some expensive cables are supposed to filter the mains to some extent.

[andrasszamek]

in my system there is a very noticable difference changing mains cables. i found that fuses and properly made distribution blocks also make an audible difference. if you can get some on loan from a local dealer and try then out, see what floats your boat.

[Stereoholic]

I thought I'd throw in my own two cents: I recently accidentally came in the position to try a Cardas (http://cardas.com/welcome.php) power cable at home. I was very pleased by the sound. I couldn't believe myself that a power cable could make the difference. Now I bought my own (http://cardas.com/parsec_power.php)! :D

Is this a UK forum? Maybe Cardas does not support your type of connectors! :(

[Reffc]

I would suggest a decent mains conditioner / regenerator should come before upmarket mains cables although some expensive cables are supposed to filter the mains to some extent.

Mains cables don't filter anything out of the mains, that's an urban myth peddled by snake oil salesmen. The reason I don't advertise fancy mains cables is because I don't believe that they do anything other than relieve good folk from hard earned cash. I consider then more a bling dressing than a performance part, although it's true that your system won't work without one or two jointing your bits and pieces to the sockets in the walls :) For those who like or want a bit of bling dressing, why not? It does no harm and looks cool, plus some people genuinely feel better that the nagging doubt is banished and they can sleep at night. Just dont believe that they do anything other than conduct electrickery from the mains socket to the power supply of the kit connected. Anything else is usually misguided conjecture influenced by disreputable sales patter. I wont get drawn into subjective debate because it is just that, subjective and I have no doubts whatsoever that many people genuinely believe that they hear positive differences, so good for them as it obviously brings something to their party (I mean that with no disrespect, but with sincerity). I now wait patiently to be shot down in flames, in fact I expect to be :lol:

[Macca]

I am sympathetic to your views Paul but at the same time who am I to deny the subjective experiences of others?

It is a big problem for me that the manufacturer of a product that is intended to improve the sound cannot explain why it improves the sound. Because that begs the question: 'Then how did you design it in the first place?'

For those who hear improvements there are only realy 2 options:

1) it is imagined. This obviously depends on how much of an improvement there is. Once we are out of the 'I think it is better but I'm not sure' zone then we can dismiss imagination, however are the claimed improvments actually out of this zone?

2) Something we don't understand, that even the manufacturers of these cables don't understand, is going on. Which is unlikely but not impossible. Making a varying electrical signal that moves cones that move air that our ears pick up and our brain de-scrambles into music is a complex and not entirely understood process.

I would really like to attend a bake-off at the gaff of someone who has installed fancy mains cables and claims an improvement. We listen with ordinary leads than swap in the fancy ones - I would really like to know if I would also detect the improvement, because if it is true for me then for all practical purposes it is true.

[Clive197]

For my ten cents, mains cables do nothing, except to getting the leccy from your ring main to the piece's of equipment they are connected to and as very efficient aerials. With all the rubbish floating about the ether your mains cables and any other cable for that matter is receiving that rubbish wholesale. So a well shielded cable (mains or otherwise) does have the potential for rejecting such RF and letting the music come thru.

For my part, the wiring behind my equipment rack makes a bowl of spaghetti look neat and tidy, so good well constructed cables are a must and that includes mains cables.

[Macca]

. So a well shielded cable (mains or otherwise) does have the potential for rejecting such RF and letting the music come thru.



Shouldn't the equipment itself be designed to reject RF interference, though?

[Clive197]

Shouldn't the equipment itself be designed to reject RF interference, though?

I'm sure your right Martin, RF rejection probably is built into the kit, but to what extent and efficiency. No designer is able to build a RF brick wall into the kit and the aerials (cables) we all attach still have potential for mayhem.