Hi, I'm currently using a cheap and cheerful extension block but would to try something 'better'. I've been looking at mcru's Audiophile mains block,silver plated, anybody have any experience of one? Cheers Jim
Senior Member
Location: Wakefield west yorkshire
Posts: 1,930
I'm James.
Mains extension block
Hi, I'm currently using a cheap and cheerful extension block but would to try something 'better'. I've been looking at mcru's Audiophile mains block,silver plated, anybody have any experience of one? Cheers Jim
novafidelity x40 music server/pre/dac, Arcam A39, roksan k3 power amp,Monitor Audio Monitor 50, Dali spektor 1, van damme interconnects and speaker cable, roskan k3 CD player
Senior Member
Location: Banbury, Oxfordshire/Panteg is where my late father was born
Posts: 4,382
I'm Chris.
I have one of those, it's not much cop to be honest, I've relegated it to just supply my WiFi router and front door chime.
I decided to build my own using a pair of MK double sockets linked together using good quality mains cable on a solid baseboard.
Really pleased with them, I built two.
Chris
We've gone on holiday by mistake !
Senior Member
Location: Wakefield west yorkshire
Posts: 1,930
I'm James.
Ta chris
novafidelity x40 music server/pre/dac, Arcam A39, roksan k3 power amp,Monitor Audio Monitor 50, Dali spektor 1, van damme interconnects and speaker cable, roskan k3 CD player
Site Owner/Administrator
Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK
Posts: 110,012
I'm AudioAl'sArbiterForPISHANTO.
I use one of these in my music streaming/AV system, which performs very well and, for me, an unmitigated bargain: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brennenstuh.../dp/B00P142TPY
Also, available in a 'sexier' aluminium-bodied version:
https://www.viking-direct.co.uk/en/b...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
I think, in all instances, they start from 6-way upwards. A no-nonsense, well-constructed and reliable German product!
Marco.
Main System
Turntable: Heavily-modified Technics SL-1210MK5G [Mike New bearing/ETP platter/Paul Hynes SR7 PSU & reg mods]. Funk Firm APM Achromat/Nagaoka GL-601 Crystal Record Weight/Isonoe feet & boots/Ortofon RS-212D/Denon DL-103GL in Denon PCL-300 headshell with Funk Firm Houdini/Kondo SL-115 pure-silver cartridge leads.
Paul Hynes MC head amp/SR5 PSU. Also modded Lentek head amp/Denon AU-310 SUT.
Other Cartridges: Nippon Columbia (NOS 1987) Denon DL-103. USA-made Shure SC35C with NOS stylus. Goldring G820 with NOS stylus. Shure M55E with NOS stylus.
CD Player: Audiocom-modified Sony X-777ES/DAS-R1 DAC.
Tape Deck: Tandberg TCD 310, fully restored and recalibrated as new, by RDE, plus upgraded with heads from the TCD-420a. Also with matching TM4 Norway microphones.
Preamps: Heavily-modified Croft Charisma-X. LDR Stereo Coffee. Power Amps: Tube Distinctions Copper Amp fitted with Tungsol KT-150s. Quad 306.
Cables & Sundries: Mark Grant HDX1 interconnects and digital coaxial cable, plus Mark Grant 6mm UP-LCOFC Van Damme speaker cable. MCRU 'Ultimate' mains leads. Lehmann clone headphone amp with vintage Koss PRO-4AAA headphones.
Tube Distinctions digital noise filter. VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine.
Speakers: Tannoy 15MGs in Lockwood cabinets with modified crossovers. 1967 Celestion Ditton 15.
Protect your HUMAN RIGHTS and REFUSE ANY *MANDATORY* VACCINE FOR COVID-19!
Also **SAY NO** to unjust 'vaccine passports' or certificates, which are totally incompatible with a FREE society!!!
Senior Member
Location: Glasgowshire
Posts: 9,663
I'm Gary.
Most effective I've used (and currently have two in my system both hardwired to balanced mains) is the Wireworld Matrix 2 block.
Take hifi mains seriously, tried a few different options and this stood out as the best.
https://www.futureshop.co.uk/wirewor...y-power-hub-v2
Last edited by Gazjam; 12-05-2021 at 16:58.
AC POWER
Hardwired 10kVA balanced mains powering entire system
AMPS
Meridian 557 power Amp (Modded) / PS Audio BHK Preamp (Modded)
SPEAKERS
Wharfedale Evo 4.4
DAC
PS Audio Directstream (Modded)
TURNTABLE
Pro-Ject X8 balanced output via XLR / Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge
PHONOSTAGE
Pro-Ject DS3 B balanced Input (TT and Phonostage powered by Pro-Ject Power box RS2 linear psu)
DIGITAL
OPPO 203 (Modded: Linear PSU, i2s output to Dac) - Roon Endpoint, HDMI input used for all things Streaming/ PS5 /AppleTV ... also good for movies apparently?
MUSIC PLAYBACK
Tweaked AP-Linux based Roon Server into Oppo 203 as Roon endpoint
Ipad Roon Remote.
Apple Music/ YouTube via AppleTV, fed to Dac via Oppo HDMI input/i2s output to Dac.
SPEAKER CABLES
Biwired: Duelund DCA10GA (Bass) Duelund DCA16GA (mid & treble) Duelund 12DCA used as jumpers (On "Blackcat Cable" Chris Sommivigo's advice - yup, even with biwire it sounds better - and it does)
INTERCONNECTS
All Balanced: Ghost+ recording studio XLR cables
Fount Master & Moderator
Location: Essex
Posts: 31,984
I'm openingabottleofwine.
Agree the two shown by Marco are bargains, and look to be more than sufficient for the task.
I used to use an industrial standard metal-clad 6-way Olson distribution strip, on which I had removed the neon switch and replaced the mains cable, but retained the Schaffner filter block. I liked the way the sockets were aligned at 45 degree to the case, making cable 'dressing' easier and neater. I don't use it now for my main system, since I had a dedicated ring installed with 14 sockets for the sources (TT, CD, tape, tuner and preamps, phonostages and buffer amplifiers) and 2 each for the speakers and monoblock power amps.
I don't believe it is necessary to have distribution strips 'star wired'. All of mine are wired in a 'daisy-chain' fashion using 20A rated cable. Also I don't like mains distribution strips that use the (so-called) 16A IEC connector: it is better to have the input cable hard wired to the sockets.
But whatever you do use, don't be tempted to buy the 2- , 4- , or 6-way extension strips you see for sale in supermarkets etc. They may satisfy BS1363 and have the 'kitemark' and CE marks, but they are cheaply made and quite insubstantial for heavy use.
Barry
Senior Member
Location: Wakefield west yorkshire
Posts: 1,930
I'm James.
I ended up buying a brennenstuhl 6way one with the aluminium casing, £21
novafidelity x40 music server/pre/dac, Arcam A39, roksan k3 power amp,Monitor Audio Monitor 50, Dali spektor 1, van damme interconnects and speaker cable, roskan k3 CD player
Senior Member
Location: Londiniumsville
Posts: 361
I'm Robin.
Have one of these. Seems good
http://www.hifi-intouch.co.uk/produc...ion-block.aspx
Robin. mit ARC CD9, ARC ref 5 / darTZeel power + magico v2. Clearaudio Innovation wood / Phantom ll / Lyra Atlas / Aurorasound Vida,
Stax 009S cans.KGGG headamp. all connected with wires. Auralic Aries - Aqua La Scala. Manley Absolute. Focal Stellias. HD800S Hyland headphones - Venus
Site Owner/Administrator
Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK
Posts: 110,012
I'm AudioAl'sArbiterForPISHANTO.
Nice one, James. For the price, you can't go wrong. There are so-called 'audiophile grade' mains distribution units I've used, purporting to be better, at ten times the price, and which simply aren't!Originally Posted by Pieoftheday
I ended up buying a brennenstuhl 6way one with the aluminium casing, £21
Marco.
Main System
Turntable: Heavily-modified Technics SL-1210MK5G [Mike New bearing/ETP platter/Paul Hynes SR7 PSU & reg mods]. Funk Firm APM Achromat/Nagaoka GL-601 Crystal Record Weight/Isonoe feet & boots/Ortofon RS-212D/Denon DL-103GL in Denon PCL-300 headshell with Funk Firm Houdini/Kondo SL-115 pure-silver cartridge leads.
Paul Hynes MC head amp/SR5 PSU. Also modded Lentek head amp/Denon AU-310 SUT.
Other Cartridges: Nippon Columbia (NOS 1987) Denon DL-103. USA-made Shure SC35C with NOS stylus. Goldring G820 with NOS stylus. Shure M55E with NOS stylus.
CD Player: Audiocom-modified Sony X-777ES/DAS-R1 DAC.
Tape Deck: Tandberg TCD 310, fully restored and recalibrated as new, by RDE, plus upgraded with heads from the TCD-420a. Also with matching TM4 Norway microphones.
Preamps: Heavily-modified Croft Charisma-X. LDR Stereo Coffee. Power Amps: Tube Distinctions Copper Amp fitted with Tungsol KT-150s. Quad 306.
Cables & Sundries: Mark Grant HDX1 interconnects and digital coaxial cable, plus Mark Grant 6mm UP-LCOFC Van Damme speaker cable. MCRU 'Ultimate' mains leads. Lehmann clone headphone amp with vintage Koss PRO-4AAA headphones.
Tube Distinctions digital noise filter. VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine.
Speakers: Tannoy 15MGs in Lockwood cabinets with modified crossovers. 1967 Celestion Ditton 15.
Protect your HUMAN RIGHTS and REFUSE ANY *MANDATORY* VACCINE FOR COVID-19!
Also **SAY NO** to unjust 'vaccine passports' or certificates, which are totally incompatible with a FREE society!!!
Senior Member
Location: limerick
Posts: 223
I'm charles.
I was very interested in this unit but decided to resort to DIY something similar.
https://www.custom-hifi-cables.co.uk...ribution-block
My knock-up has lowered the noise floor considerably. Detail just seems to pop out now, music is more immersive and PRAT is impressive.
If your budget will extend to the above I think you will find it outperform the usual strips on offer. Hard wired via glands makes more sense than using plugs with fuses. Should you be interested in going DIY I would be happy to help with an explanation and photos.
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