Quote Originally Posted by MrMacphisto View Post
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...