DCT Treatment of powerkords review, AlienRik, Idc etc

[JoelSim]

THE_FORCE:JoelSim:
IECs make a significant difference, well a good one will anyway.

Ermmm Joel no offence but who/what internet site/company/individual have you been listening to ? Do you honestly think that a power lead is going to affect the pq or aq of a source component ?!!

Come on, honestly....do you really believe that ?!

In fact it gives me the needle that people are lead to believe this and it's promoted on various AV websites.

Use your own loaf. If you think that, then more fool you for buying into it. Ask any qualified electrician about the power lead, and what happens between plug and source, and then suit yourself !

Mr Force, I have some nice revealing kit, and I've also had a number of aftermarket leads. Some have been a revelation, some less so.

My current Nordost Shiva produced a significant difference, made easier by the fact that I bought it 2nd hand and was more than prepared to sell it on if it hadn't. The fact is it will be with me for a long time, a very nice upgrade for way way less than the cost of a new component.

 

[jc1972]

Andrew, the whathifi team test loads of cables with hi end av gear costing more than most peoples houses, you all notice differences, why not say how all the experts who listen for a living agree that cables made with better materials help improve performance and end this nonsense.

 

[True Blue]

Right, back to the point of the thread, Jase, the figure of eight is getting better by the day, PQ on some SD channels is amazingly sharp. To the point where friends have asked what I have cleaned my screen with LOL.

Think I will buy another + the DCT treated one before the sale ends and a figure of 8 to IEC connector. Use my Virgin + box to run in all cables .

 

[JoelSim]

True Blue:
Right, back to the point of the thread, Jase, the figure of eight is getting better by the day, PQ on some SD channels is amazingly sharp. To the point where friends have asked what I have cleaned my screen with LOL.

Think I will buy another + the DCT treated one before the sale ends and a figure of 8 to IEC connector. Use my Virgin + box to run in all cables .

But it can't do. I keep getting told this is impossible by those who haven't tried it.

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew Everard:

lesmor:bet your Sister in Law is still using Ever (ard) Ready batteries when she should try Duracell

I see what you did there...

Glad somebody was old enough to remember them and get the pun

 

[Andrew Everard]

It wasn't really a pun. Now if you'd said Ever Rardy batteries...

 

[Anonymous]

idc:

PS - I don't understand what those who have never tried an aftermarket cable have to contribute to such threads, where all they do is ridicule. THE FORCE, that is why you have received some negative reactions to your posts.

My very last addition to this thread (almost) - just to clear this point up. I bought a family member a Nordost Shiva a couple of Xmas' back due to a glowing recommendation from a good mate who swears by them. Needless to say, they're still not ungrateful - but neither of us have heard any difference in their stereo hifi setup !(Arcam to B&W 800 series). It may reduce noise floor, but it didn't ADD anthing to the listening experience, and the audio certainly wasn't changed in any way.

Now a serious question to owners and users of these upgraded cables, without any sarcy replies AlienLik as now I'm genuinely interested . How long did it take for you to hear and see improvements ? Was it instantaneous ? Or did it happen after the recommended 500 hour burn in period ?

 

[aliEnRIK]

THE_FORCE:

Now a serious question to owners and users of these upgraded cables, without any sarcy replies AlienLik as now I'm genuinely interested . How long did it take for you to hear and see improvements ? Was it instantaneous ? Or did it happen after the recommended 500 hour burn in period ?

Depends on the equipment

Usually takes about 2 weeks to really notice a difference. My pioneer plasma took months before the colour finally settled (Measured with a sensor connected to my laptop). This is talking about brand new braided cables. Silver ones take a lot longer to run in

The very first time I tried one (When I really didnt believe in mains cables) was an isotek Elite connected to my Arcam A85 amp which I bought 2nd hand off ebay to try out of sheer intrigue. There was an instantanious change as soon as it was plugged in. I listened to an Opeth track as usual, swopped to the Isotek and the bass and drums in particular were far more 'tight' and powerful

That was the day my mind changed about mains cables

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the reply Rik. So maybe my relative has little mains noise or 'EMI' floating about, as you yourself have stated "then it's unlikely any mains cable will make a difference" ?

 

[aliEnRIK]

THE_FORCE:Thank you for the reply Rik. So maybe my relative has little mains noise or 'EMI' floating about, as you yourself have stated "then it's unlikely any mains cable will make a difference" ?

Impossble to say. Shivas arnt braided for starters so that can open up a whole other 'can of worms'. Id hazard a guess your right or as they dont really filter out RFI like the braided type then thats were the problem (possibly) lies

Other possibles are the equipment wasnt going to change no matter whats connected. His ears arnt up to the job. Theres other problems along the line etc etc etc

 

[idc]

THE_FORCE:
idc:

PS - I don't understand what those who have never tried an aftermarket cable have to contribute to such threads, where all they do is ridicule. THE FORCE, that is why you have received some negative reactions to your posts.

My very last addition to this thread (almost) - just to clear this point up. I bought a family member a Nordost Shiva a couple of Xmas' back due to a glowing recommendation from a good mate who swears by them. Needless to say, they're still not ungrateful - but neither of us have heard any difference in their stereo hifi setup !(Arcam to B&W 800 series). It may reduce noise floor, but it didn't ADD anthing to the listening experience, and the audio certainly wasn't changed in any way.

Now a serious question to owners and users of these upgraded cables, without any sarcy replies AlienLik as now I'm genuinely interested . How long did it take for you to hear and see improvements ? Was it instantaneous ? Or did it happen after the recommended 500 hour burn in period ?

Thanks for that response. This is the longest running and most restrained and reasoned cable post I can think of, long term members don't want to lose that.

If the vast majority of posts over the years were of the type, "I bought such and such and it made no difference" the cable market would be far smaller and definitely less expensive. Whilst a number do report no difference, they are in the minority, here anyway.

 

[Anonymous]

The most immediate difference you will experience when trying an upgraded cable is on your CD player. I noticed a huge difference with the powerchord on my apollo, IMMEDIATELY. It was night and day. More so when it was hooked up through my AV as opposed to the nait, but still made a big difference through the nait. That's without any burn in at all. On my other gear i have noticed less of an instant difference and am yet to swap the cables back to see after burn in. To be honest though i just cant be bothered right now and am happy given that i know they will be improving things on varying levels due to the evidence shown by the the big improvements on my CD player.

As noted in my previous posts there are even differences between new, higher end power cables and ones that have been burning in for a bit. Whether the differences in sound are deemed to be improvements is down to personal taste, but they do without doubt alter the sound / performance of your gear. Some items of kit more than others.

True Blue, glad you are seeing big improvements in your figure 8 cables!

 

[jase fox]

True blue,

I agree when you say the powerkord works well on SD as on my plasma it looks close to HD !

I see weve had a NON believer jumping on board in the name of The Force & whos seems firmly on the darkside? I did start this thread for the "believers" and i hope this thread doesnt ever get locked as its been pretty successful so far, its good to have a dedicated thread to do with mains products were we can all share our views.

That aside, my powerkord-8 is improving nicely & is the DCT treated classic on my bluray player.

 

[jase fox]

THE_FORCE:
jase fox: Well the powerkord-8 im very pleased with, as its adding so much more depth to the picture, colours seem richer & more detail so overall impressed so far, i hope you get the same result mate?

OK let's back up a minute. I could be completely wrong here but are we talking about an IEC cable ? You're claiming all of the above, when all your cable is doing is just giving power to your source component which is doing all the work ?!!

You think that somehow the power lead is changing both your pq and aq in your source component ?! Wow mate - I've got a kettle that boils water more efficiently than any you can buy on the market. Are you interested ?

Please tell me this thread is a joke ??!!
No, i dont "think" its changing both my PQ & AQ i know it is, Fact !

 

[True Blue]

Hi Jase, well in a weeks time I will finally reconnect my home theatre system (carpet being fitted Monday), might even post some piccies. Till then was watching something on BBC last night and thought we were on BBC HD channel, till checked. So yes am very very pleased. Worthwhile investment. May extend my hifi radial cct (I say circuit its just one socket at the moment) to include the AV gear in my front room.

As you saw I posted links showing the theories behind induced currents and interference in all wires, which I know exists due to interference being induced in 24v control wiring lines from 230v wires close by. Hence why fire detection systems and control systems use CY or SY shielded control cable.

But none of us can hear or see a thing LOL

As you say long live this thread

 

[Anonymous]

jase fox:I see weve had a NON believer jumping on board in the name of The Force & whos seems firmly on the darkside? No I'm enjoying this thread now - just watching from the sidelines ! *waves hello*

 

[PJPro]

PIPPI:
Just a note, has anyone thought of plugging an IEC powercord into a kettle and using it for about 1hr to help the cable burn in. High current flowing through a power cable should help.

You shouldn't be able to do this as the socket is different. This prevents a cable, rated for lower currents, being used on a kettle.

"Hifi" IEC Socket

Kettle IEC Socket

 

[jase fox]

THE_FORCE:jase fox:I see weve had a NON believer jumping on board in the name of The Force & whos seems firmly on the darkside? No I'm enjoying this thread now - just watching from the sidelines ! *waves hello*Good for you The_Force, i respect your attitude, even though you may think were all raving mad ! *waves hello back* High 5 & all that... ha

 

[jase fox]

True Blue:
Hi Jase, well in a weeks time I will finally reconnect my home theatre system (carpet being fitted Monday), might even post some piccies. Till then was watching something on BBC last night and thought we were on BBC HD channel, till checked. So yes am very very pleased. Worthwhile investment. May extend my hifi radial cct (I say circuit its just one socket at the moment) to include the AV gear in my front room.

As you saw I posted links showing the theories behind induced currents and interference in all wires, which I know exists due to interference being induced in 24v control wiring lines from 230v wires close by. Hence why fire detection systems and control systems use CY or SY shielded control cable.

But none of us can hear or see a thing LOL

As you say long live this thread
Alright mate,

Ye good idea you could post some pics bit at a time at every stage of you setting it all back up ! And the same here, i had The Hustle on & had to check to see if i was on the HD channel also, ive had to do that several times were as before i could easily tell the difference.

I think this thread should remain & to be used for the mains issue as its what this forum needs.

I just recently used a RAs Mini Purifier im currently using a Silencer, so i ordered a purifier to see if it would improve things further (not that it needs improving) & i have to say that it made no difference at all, if anything it seemed to have robbed some power from my amp as it didnt sound as heavy & powerful as it normally does. The PQ was "slightly" sharper but not enough difference to warrant paying £130 ! So it was having a more negative effect on the sound so i sent it back for a refund.

 

[True Blue]

Both my AV reciever and my HIFI amp are plugged directly into seperate surge protectors, rather than the Tacima or other conditioning / purifying devices as I also found that the dynamics were severly restricted.

May get a superclamp fitted to the cable am going to purchase. Any thoughts??

 

[idc]

http://www.magnecor.com/magnecor1/truth.htm

The link is to an article about the wiring used in modern day engines that have ECUs. It argues that the wiring needs to be able to surpress EMI and RFI in the engine bay, primarily caused by the ignition system and spark plugs. The problem becomes apparent with failures in the ECU. I found this article because my car keeps kicking up error messages where there is none and the ECU has had to be refurbished.

It dawned on me that similar would apply to hifi as you have delicate electronics on the end of power lines that cause and are affected by EMI and RFI.

The article discusses ways of reducing the problems and solid core and wound cables.

 

[True Blue]

Nice one IDC, reinforces what I said about the use of SY and CY shielded control cable above.

 

[jase fox]

True Blue:
.

May get a superclamp fitted to the cable am going to purchase. Any thoughts??

I thought of doing this as it sounds like a good option, id be tempted. I agree that purifiers can rob power and dynamics however, i found and find The Silencer a more positive one, id recommend that.

 

[idc]

I am going to get another Silencer as since I got my new laptop I get more hiss from the amp.

 

[Anonymous]

What cables are you guys using on your TV's?