Cheap amps and mains cables!

[UV101]

Here's what I've been up to since sending chrism's SB back before easter!!!

New discrete 200w centre channel amp (modded of course, velleman kit)

http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr332/Trunky1812/IMG_5967.jpg
http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr332/Trunky1812/IMG_5966.jpg

A pair of chip amps for the rear!

http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr332/Trunky1812/IMG_5969.jpg

and some new mains leads! 3 to be precise!! These are bloody amaizing but a right pain in the arse to make! Wattgate cryo iec, clipsal plug and kimber 8tc type cable! I've been meaning to treat myself to so decent mains cables since I built my passive mains filter last year!!!:doh:

http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr332/Trunky1812/IMG_5964.jpg

Kind of an all at once message but i've been really busy! :cool:

[MartinT]

Nice. I'm sure your method of making the mains cable from 8TC with nice IEC and Clipsal plugs is more economical but I can't be bothered and bought all mine from Russ Andrews. They do sound good.

[UV101]

I'm not guilty of the weave!!!! I purchased the cable as is and fitted the plugs which to be honest is easier said than done but much cheaper the the Russ Andrews eqiv cable!!!! :-)

[cuddles]

Oooh, I've always fancied dipping my toe in the DIY side of HI Fi - are there any instructions out there for making your own power leads? Russ Andrews doesn't need my money ;)

[HighFidelityGuy]

That's an interesting power cable design. I notice it has 4 colours of conductor. So what do you have the 4th connected to?

Cheers. :)

[Ali Tait]

Oooh, I've always fancied dipping my toe in the DIY side of HI Fi - are there any instructions out there for making your own power leads? Russ Andrews doesn't need my money ;)

Try thr TNT Audio website.There's a very good diy section for mains,speaker and interconnect cables.The TNT twisted twins in particular is a very good speaker cable.

[UV101]

That's an interesting power cable design. I notice it has 4 colours of conductor. So what do you have the 4th connected to?
The weave is 16 conductors. 4 of each colour. Live uses 8 conductors, Neutral the remaining 8 conductors and finally there is a earth single threaded through the middle of the weave! Its a real pain to work with. You cannot fit more than 5 conductors into the plug pin which means that i've 5 twisted and inserted and the remaining 3 are wrapped around the base of the 5 and all soldered together and tidied with heatshrink. The Wattgate iec is more accomodating and will accept all 8 conductors.

If anyone fanices learning 16 way litz braid, its on the net somewhere!I googled it ages ago but can't find it now. You can do 8 way without a jig and if you 8 way braid with cat 5 strands, you can make awesome interconnects!

http://theartofsound.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=207



And indeed TNT is an excellent resource for all DIY cables.

***Also, only make your own mains cable is you know what you are doing! Mains voltages ARE dangerous! :lolsign:

[Ali Tait]

Yes,I thought the twisted twins was very good.Didn't work when I got the statics though,since they don't like high capacitance designs.