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twelvebears
30-01-2010, 11:09
Folks.

Is the worth while and easy to do?

Specifically I'm thinking of the captive mains leads on my Teac and Aiwa cassette decks.

Apart from possible improvements to the sound, I'm thinking of the purely practical fact that it's a lot easier to move stuff around in a rack when the bloody power lead isn't permanently attached.

Also, is the any way or benefit in using an earthed lead and socket rather than the usual two core?

Stratmangler
30-01-2010, 11:45
Also, is the any way or benefit in using an earthed lead and socket rather than the usual two core?

If you use an IEC socket the polarity of the live and neutral wire will always be correct.

Chris:)

Mark Grant
30-01-2010, 11:57
The easy way without opening up your kit is to fit a male IEC connector to the existing cable as near as possible to the back of the device.

This for example:

http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=45_16&products_id=60

The debate is always if it makes a difference or not :)

Mark.

DSJR
30-01-2010, 12:11
No offence to anyone, but I thought the ideal would be to replace detachable wires with fixed ones of the correct rating.....

I do appreciate the benefits of using higher capacity and quality mains cables on some gear though..

Rare Bird
30-01-2010, 12:14
Captive leads - ok!
Chassis IEC - nay ok!

You need to reduce as many contacts as you can not add em.

Themis
30-01-2010, 12:49
I'm not a specialist, but I agree with Dave and Andr'e on this.

I think detachable cables are simply -sometimes- practical, nothing more.

Barry
30-01-2010, 15:57
I hate captive mains leads with a passion! They are impracticable and a nuisance. Fortunately, most of my equipment is fitted with IEC mains connectors; although I do not have a particularly high regard for the design of these; the now outlawed Cannon XLR style were much better.

Of my equipment which do not have mains connectors are: three Thorens 124/II decks, a Nakamichi deck and a Sony CD player.

Frankly I don't give a toss how many connections or contacts there are. In my system there are typically at least 15 contacts between the wall socket and the transformer (or motor) in each piece of equipment (count them up - each 13A plug has 6!)

Regards

twelvebears
30-01-2010, 16:29
I hate captive mains leads with a passion! They are impracticable and a nuisance. Fortunately, most of my equipment is fitted with IEC mains connectors; although I do not have a particularly high regard for the design of these; the now outlawed Cannon XLR style were much better.

Of my equipment which do not have mains connectors are: three Thorens 124/II decks, a Nakamichi deck and a Sony CD player.

Frankly I don't give a toss how many connections or contacts there are. In my system there are typically at least 15 contacts between the wall socket and the transformer (or motor) in each piece of equipment (count them up - each 13A plug has 6!)

Regards

Pretty much my thoughts Barry.

Personally I'd have thought that installing an quality IEC socket and plug in the back of the case and connected as closely as possible to the transformer or PCB, and replacing the crap flex they come with using some of Mark Grant's quality mains lead, would more than make up for the extra contacts. Especially as I would be soldering the connections in the plug and socket.

Rare Bird
30-01-2010, 17:13
I hate captive mains leads with a passion! They are impracticable and a nuisance. Fortunately, most of my equipment is fitted with IEC mains connectors; although I do not have a particularly high regard for the design of these; the now outlawed Cannon XLR style were much better.

Of my equipment which do not have mains connectors are: three Thorens 124/II decks, a Nakamichi deck and a Sony CD player.

Frankly I don't give a toss how many connections or contacts there are. In my system there are typically at least 15 contacts between the wall socket and the transformer (or motor) in each piece of equipment (count them up - each 13A plug has 6!)

Regards

The more contacts you have the more you are degrading the system fact.

Amazing haw many people think the power supply has nothing to do with the circuit & tent to pay zero attention to it.Again the idea is to scrap as many contacts as you can in a power supply.But if convenience is what you want no worries but you can't have it both ways tho chaps.

Marco
30-01-2010, 17:53
Hi Steve,


Personally I'd have thought that installing an quality IEC socket and plug in the back of the case and connected as closely as possible to the transformer or PCB, and replacing the crap flex they come with using some of Mark Grant's quality mains lead, would more than make up for the extra contacts.


Yes, but what if you hard-wired the Mark Grant mains lead and made it captive without an IEC plug or socket? Answer: you get the best of both worlds! ;)

I know where Barry's coming from, and respect that, but Andre is unquestionably right here....

The fact is IEC sockets degrade the sound, therefore if you want the ultimate performance from your equipment then choose your favourite mains lead and then hard-wire it in place.

I'm afraid that anything other than that is a compromise, which as we've seen, some people can live with more than others :)

Oh, for the record, I use IECs - only because I can't be arsed doing things any other way!

Marco.

Barry
30-01-2010, 18:08
The more contacts you have the more you are degrading the system fact.

Amazing haw many people think the power supply has nothing to do with the circuit & tent to pay zero attention to it.Again the idea is to scrap as many contacts as you can in a power supply.But if convenience is what you want no worries but you can't have it both ways tho chaps.

It is not so much the number of contacts that matters, rather it is the quality and integrity of each contact. This applies not only to the mains supply but to the signal path as well. It is for this reason that I prefer to make up my own cables, both mains and signal.

Within each item of electronics, the audio signal has pass through scores of (soldered) connections. And if you consider that the complete system comprises up to 100 connections, 6 more is not going to make much difference. If taken ad extremis, all the components: source; amplifier and speakers would be hard wired together (at least that would get rid of the awful RCA phono connectors!)

How many connections are there in mains conditioners?

Regards

Rare Bird
30-01-2010, 18:24
Ok barry you carry on you know best it seems ;)

Barry
30-01-2010, 18:36
Ok barry you carry on you know best it seems ;)

Well I know what works for me. At least on AoS we can 'agree to disagree'. ;)

Regards

twelvebears
30-01-2010, 19:00
Sheesh guys, I was only curious!:lolsign:

Marco
30-01-2010, 21:04
Hi Barry,


It is not so much the number of contacts that matters, rather it is the quality and integrity of each contact.


I completely agree - and of course the ultimate is quality contacts which maintain the highest integrity, and with the minimum of them existing as possible! ;)

Marco.

Rare Bird
30-01-2010, 22:16
Whats that in english then :lol:

Batty
15-07-2010, 01:47
I got fed up with the hard wired mains cables to my Denon MD player and my CD63KISig so I fitted the best IEC sockets I could afford. much easier to move about now. Being non High end gear effect on SQ was probably mimimal.

YNWaN
15-07-2010, 09:17
Is the worth while and easy to do?

It's easy enough to do but probably not worth it (unless you are really bored).

James G
15-07-2010, 09:33
Whoa, just now seeing this old thread.
I installed an IEC socket to my Denon CDP.
I like being able to swap around cables easily. I'm still in an experimental stage of my audio adventure so the convenience is a plus. I consider matching the right cable to the right component a part of achieving system synergy and if you match the plug and the socket (i.e. Furutech to Furutech) then it should snap in tightly with a good amount of torque.