IEC Connections Question

[MrMacphisto]

Hello all.

As a newbie to the forums, I could use your opinions on a first world problem I am experiencing at the moment.

I have what I consider to be a slightly unconventional mid-range setup, so always looking for advice. I'll upload more info shortly on system specs, but here is a short rundown on my system. It's somewhat (in my opinion) unconventional, and I would describe it as being split into three discrete parts:

Part 1 - Home Office

PC > Arcam stock USB Cable > Arcam irDAC > QED Qunex 75 Reference (Digital) & Chord Crimson + (Analogue) > Canton DM50 Soundbase > Oehlbach NF1 Y Sub 150 > Mordaunt Short Alumni 9 Subwoofer

Part 2 - AV system

PC > Arcam stock USB Cable > Arcam irDAC > Fisual Havana XL > Onkyo TX-SR607 > QED XT400 > Monitor Audio Silver RX
My TV also feeds into this loop.

Part 3 - Turntable Setup

Technics 1210 > Stock Technics 1210 RCA > Nakamichi CA5E-II Pre Amp > Van Damme Pro Grade Classic XKE > Nakamichi PA5-II Power Amp > Gale XL105 (To be upgraded!) > Monitor Audio Soundframe


The question I would like to pose right now is regarding IEC connections.

I have a Nakamichi PA5-II Power Amp and Nakamichi CA5E-II Pre Amp both with captive mains cables, and a Furman Elite 10Ei Power conditioner. In order to connect the Nakamichis to the power conditioner, I plan to remove the captive cables and replace with an IEC outlet. I will also need to make up the connecting cables, as I will require a female IEC connector to attach to the Nakamichis and a male IEC connector to connect to the Furman. Now whilst female IEC connectors are a plentiful at all price ranges, it would appear male IEC connectors are relatively rare.

I am looking for a decent cable and connectors in order to exploit the best from my system (this is only a small part of the system). I plan to use something like a Furutech cable off the reel and Furutech or similar female IEC connectors (I have no problems making these up), the real question I was hoping someone may know the answer to is of a high quality male IEC connector? It seems pointless spending (for example) £60 on the cable, £150 on the female IEC connector only to have to use a £5 male IEC connector.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[DSJR]

Hello all.

As a newbie to the forums, I could use your opinions on a first world problem I am experiencing at the moment.

I have what I consider to be a slightly unconventional mid-range setup, so always looking for advice. I'll upload more info shortly on system specs, but here is a short rundown on my system. It's somewhat (in my opinion) unconventional, and I would describe it as being split into three discrete parts:

Part 1 - Home Office

PC > Arcam stock USB Cable > Arcam irDAC > QED Qunex 75 Reference (Digital) & Chord Crimson + (Analogue) > Canton DM50 Soundbase > Oehlbach NF1 Y Sub 150 > Mordaunt Short Alumni 9 Subwoofer

Part 2 - AV system

PC > Arcam stock USB Cable > Arcam irDAC > Fisual Havana XL > Onkyo TX-SR607 > QED XT400 > Monitor Audio Silver RX
My TV also feeds into this loop.

Part 3 - Turntable Setup

Technics 1210 > Stock Technics 1210 RCA > Nakamichi CA5E-II Pre Amp > Van Damme Pro Grade Classic XKE > Nakamichi PA5-II Power Amp > Gale XL105 (To be upgraded!) > Monitor Audio Soundframe


The question I would like to pose right now is regarding IEC connections.

I have a Nakamichi PA5-II Power Amp and Nakamichi CA5E-II Pre Amp both with captive mains cables, and a Furman Elite 10Ei Power conditioner. In order to connect the Nakamichis to the power conditioner, I plan to remove the captive cables and replace with an IEC outlet. I will also need to make up the connecting cables, as I will require a female IEC connector to attach to the Nakamichis and a male IEC connector to connect to the Furman. Now whilst female IEC connectors are a plentiful at all price ranges, it would appear male IEC connectors are relatively rare.

I am looking for a decent cable and connectors in order to exploit the best from my system (this is only a small part of the system). I plan to use something like a Furutech cable off the reel and Furutech or similar female IEC connectors (I have no problems making these up), the real question I was hoping someone may know the answer to is of a high quality male IEC connector? It seems pointless spending (for example) £60 on the cable, £150 on the female IEC connector only to have to use a £5 male IEC connector.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!


NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

The CA5 II is a bit performance-limited in todays market and a passive preamp would be a better bet ime, but the PA5 II is a capable power amp - I owned and used one for some time with a CA7 but it needs to be 'on' for prolonged periods of time to fully come on song. Leave the captive power cords well alone, as adding an IEC socket just adds more crap in the line imo. Seriously, the insertion loss of the preamp is a million times more invasive than wanking around with posh mains cables. if you must play with mains wires, have a look at the Mark Grant one, as it's comparatively cheap, very high current rated (the bit that really makes any difference if there really is one) and superbly constructed.

The CA7 was shown a very clean pair of heels by first an ARC SP14 and then, but a much cheaper Croft SMA4 PP...

[Beobloke]

Why can't you just replace the 13A mains plug on the end of your Nakamichis' leads with male IEC connectors? You don't need to change the captive mains leads (which would be absolutely pointless anyway!)

Male IECs here: http://cpc.farnell.com/schurter/r47320000/rewirable-iec-connector-male/dp/PL06086?ost=PL06086&selectedCategoryId=&categoryNameResp=All%2BCategories&searchView=table&iscrfnonsku=false

[MrMacphisto]

Why can't you just replace the 13A mains plug on the end of your Nakamichis' leads with male IEC connectors? You don't need to change the captive mains leads (which would be absolutely pointless anyway!)

Male IECs here: http://cpc.farnell.com/schurter/r47320000/rewirable-iec-connector-male/dp/PL06086?ost=PL06086&selectedCategoryId=&categoryNameResp=All%2BCategories&searchView=table&iscrfnonsku=false

Adam, I absolutely could. My thoughts behind replacing the captive lead was that I though I may be able to get a small gain in using a higher quality cable. Ultimately back to my original question, I have yet to find an 'audiophile' grade male end IEC (the female ones are everywhere). Does anyone know of one? The closest I have seen to an audiophile grade male C14 IEC connector is by Martin Kaiser. Does anyone know of anything better?

http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/iec-connectors/177-martin-kaiser-iec-connector.html

[Ali Tait]

Don't think you need anything better frankly.

[Beobloke]

Agreed. Leave the cable alone and use a standard plug - it will be fine.

Also, if the Furman unit is a just a filter/conditioner and not an actual regenerator, I would be wary of using it on the Nakamichi power amp. It could do more harm than good to the sound.

[agk]

Much as I am loathe to agree with the masses, I do. Even I wouldn't mess with decent captive cables. I have even removed iec sockets and replaced with captive leads due to my anality in this area.

Most "audiophile" plugs, sockets and the rest are overpriced shiny tat so before making an investment buy some from RS or Maplins and see how you get on.

[Sovereign]

If you want to change the captive lead I'd say go for it. However I wouldn't bother with a male / female connection as others have stated.
If your skills are up to it, open up the amp and strip out the standard captive lead and fit a better quality one, job done!
I did this to a big NVA amp with a good quality yet well priced Mark Grant cable, if you talk nicely to him he may even sell it to you off the reel. IMHO you have the ultimate connection .

[YNWaN]

I'm afraid I would also recommend removing the Furman unit from the system - certainly from powering the power amp but most likely I would remove it completely. I would also agree with changing the pre-amp but wouldn't personally recommend a passive unit. To be honest, I wouldn't say improving your mains cables should be high on your list of priorities at this time.


100% Analogue

[MrMacphisto]

Guys,

Thanks for the insight. Certainly food for thought. What I'm going to do is leave the captive lead and just swap out the plug for a male IEC to connect to the Furman to trial the sound. If it sounds rubbish, I'll simply replace the plug. An easy solution. Will be happy to let you all know how it sounds if you are interested!

[MrMacphisto]

If you want to change the captive lead I'd say go for it. However I wouldn't bother with a male / female connection as others have stated.
If your skills are up to it, open up the amp and strip out the standard captive lead and fit a better quality one, job done!
I did this to a big NVA amp with a good quality yet well priced Mark Grant cable, if you talk nicely to him he may even sell it to you off the reel. IMHO you have the ultimate connection .

James, how did the amp compare with the upgraded cable out of curiosity? Was it a noticeable/fiscally justifiable upgrade?

[Macca]

Yes, keep us updated.