Do a mains filter or changing the mains cable make any difference?

[admin_exported]

I have the kit you can se below as part of my signature.

I'm very happy with the sound it all delivers (amp, CD and speakers). But now I'm wondering if there's any way of improving the sound without changing any of the component (my wife would kill me).

So, cables and adding a small mains filter is the only thing I could try.

And the question is, would it be worth the money? I mean, would the sound be improved significantly to justify the spent of money? Or it would just give slight cleaner sound.

Thanks,

 

[Anonymous]

this is a very contentious subject round here so i would advise that you use the search function and look through the many threads that have already covered this subject.

 

[Anonymous]

smo - I posted this some time ago. I haven't changed my opinion.
Clearer Audio and similiar offer money back trials so see for yourself.
============================================================================

Interconnect and Mains Cable Comparison - Blind Test Results Are Here

Me and a mate decided to do a blind test on various interconnects and mains cables. The interconnects were hooked up in parallel so we could easily switch between them for comparison.
We did blind testing of 4 different interconnects Van Den Hul D102 III (£125) , VDH First Ultimate (£225), Chord Chorus 2 (£250)and Russ Andrews Crystal H (£280).

- We found no difference whatsoever between the VDH and Chord cables. The Russ Andrews has a harsh top end.

- CONCLUSION 1 - for a £2-£3000 system spend about £125 a decent interconnects and leave it there.

I had the Chord interconnects on demo (brand new). Despite being used continuously for 7 days there was no difference in sound.

- CONCLUSION 2 - burn-in with interconnects is a myth. It does not make any difference.

We then compared mains leads - cheapo kettle cable, Russ Andrews and Clearer Audio.

There was a marked improvement with the branded cables - Clearer Audio being the better of the two. This was the biggest surprise in the whole of the test. Burn in with these cables does make a difference - they improve with use.

- Never thought that spending money on mains cables would make any difference.

- CONCLUSION 3 - don't waste money buying expensive interconnects. Put your scepticism to one side and try a mains cable upgrade.

- These were blind tests - we did not try to convince ourselves that we had spent the money so they must sound better.

 

[chebby]

smo:.. I'm wondering if there's any way of improving the sound without changing any of the component (my wife would kill me).
So, cables and adding a small mains filter is the only thing I could try.

A Tacima CS-929 (6-way mains block with mains filter/conditioner) for about £25 from Amazon will not induce your wife to murder you!

If you want to try out mains cables then look at TM3Connections for ideas from about £17.50 upwards.

If you do not notice any difference, then at least you have not spent a lot finding out.

 

[Anonymous]

second what chebby says there about TM3Connections - i bought my mains cables from there and was very impressed with the cables and the service!

 

[professorhat]

But then Clearer Audio and Russ Andrews offer a 60 day money back guarantee so if you do not notice any difference, you won't have spent anything finding out.

I went with the Clearer Audio Copperline Alpha after trying out the Silverline and deciding my system didn't justify the cost of that cable. Excellent service.

 

[Anonymous]

On a system like yours i'm sure an upgraded power lead would make a difference. I'd try 2 from someone who'll let you give them back if not satified.

Try it on the CD player only, then amp only, then both.

Listen for background details in well recorded songs. Also listen for tonal balance differences.

I'm 90% sure you'll find a difference. Then you have to decide if you like that difference.....

jules.

 

[aliEnRIK]

They most certainly DO make a difference. The easiest way to see this was via my Pioneer tv. An 8 core silver plated braided mains cable was better than stock. 16 core standard copper braid was even better. Isotek Mira ANOTHER step up and my SIgmas better still.

The 16 core braided solid silver mains cables I fitted to my amps also made a hugh difference.

 

[aliEnRIK]

chebby:smo:.. I'm wondering if there's any way of improving the sound without changing any of the component (my wife would kill me).

So, cables and adding a small mains filter is the only thing I could try.

A Tacima CS-929 (6-way mains block with mains filter/conditioner) for about £25 from Amazon will not induce your wife to murder you! If you want to try out mains cables then look at TM3Connections for ideas from about £17.50 upwards. If you do not notice any difference, then at least you have not spent a lot finding out.

Their 16 core machine braided cables are absolutely AWESOME for the money. Id put them against anything under 300 quid

 

[Anonymous]

It's my understanding (correct me if i am wrong) that if you have a good power supply you won't hear the difference anyway? but how would someone identify whether they have a good power supply is the question to i guess lol

 

[aliEnRIK]

hi fi newbie:It's my understanding (correct me if i am wrong) that if you have a good power supply you won't hear the difference anyway? but how would someone identify whether they have a good power supply is the question to i guess lol

Thats very true. Those with a poor mains supply will benefit more for sure (Using braided cables and/or mains conditioners)

But everyone should benefit from the reduction to airbourne EMI

 

[Anonymous]

I am not an expert on this by any means but even with a good power supply other equipment on the same circuit will create "noise" in the power supply and therefore affect the supply.
TVs, PCs, dishwashers, washing machines etc all add to this noise. I think thats the theory anyway I found upgraded power leads made a big improvement.

 

[Anonymous]

heystak:I am not an expert on this by any means but even with a good power supply other equipment on the same circuit will create "noise" in the power supply and therefore affect the supply.

TVs, PCs, dishwashers, washing machines etc all add to this noise. I think thats the theory anyway I found upgraded power leads made a big improvement.

Does that mean that buying this alone The Tacima 6 way main conditioner might not improve things?

 

[Anonymous]

I have ordered for the Tacima mains conditioner to see if it works. I fancy adding a couple of Tacima main cables also as they do look good value. Here is the question , if I bought two where would be the best place to conecct them. Cd player plus pre-amp. Or on the two power amps. If I hear a difference I would purchase two more for my system.

 

[basshound]

I would definately connect one to the cd as where the other one would be best placed I`m not sure

 

[aliEnRIK]

Everyone says to connect to the sources first. In my personal experience, I found connecting to the amps made the biggest difference (With 'run in' cable)

Bare in mind, the tacima conditioner might not be good for the power amps if theyre power hungry (Its designed for use on low current devices like cd players etc)

 

[sheehanjuk]

Ive own both the Tacima C929 and the Clearer Audio Copperline Alpha, both make a noticeable improvement but the CleaerAudio cable is in a different league.

I was gobsmacked the different with the ClearerAudio cable. I intend to use the Silverline level for hifi and Copper Alphaline for HDTVs. If you havent tested.. prepared to be amazed, it truely is a surprising major improvement to BOTH sound quality or picture quality.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies.

I'll see whats on the market here where I live as I live in Mallorca (Spain). I'll try if I can borrow some cables from the dealer so I can hear any difference.

 

[professorhat]

I'm sure I remember reading a post where a guy out in Australia got a trial on the Clearer Audio stuff, though I could have been imagining it. If so, I'm sure Spain won't be an issue. Might be worth a visit to their site (here) and send them an email to find out.

 

[Anonymous]

aliEnRIK:
Everyone says to connect to the sources first. In my personal experience, I found connecting to the amps made the biggest difference (With 'run in' cable)

Bare in mind, the tacima conditioner might not be good for the power amps if theyre power hungry (Its designed for use on low current devices like cd players etc)

A very good point, power amps have much higher current demands so Mains cables give results that allow the loading 'to breath' and do not strangle transient responses.

You have to step up to a well configured Mains spur plus conditioning to deal totally with obtaining a clean supply feed.

 

[Anonymous]

heystak:smo - I posted this some time ago. I haven't changed my opinion.

Clearer Audio and similiar offer money back trials so see for yourself.
============================================================================ Interconnect and Mains Cable Comparison - Blind Test Results Are Here Me and a mate decided to do a blind test on various interconnects and mains cables. The interconnects were hooked up in parallel so we could easily switch between them for comparison. We did blind testing of 4 different interconnects Van Den Hul D102 III (£125) , VDH First Ultimate (£225), Chord Chorus 2 (£250)and Russ Andrews Crystal H (£280). - We found no difference whatsoever between the VDH and Chord cables. The Russ Andrews has a harsh top end. - CONCLUSION 1 - for a £2-£3000 system spend about £125 a decent interconnects and leave it there. I had the Chord interconnects on demo (brand new). Despite being used continuously for 7 days there was no difference in sound. - CONCLUSION 2 - burn-in with interconnects is a myth. It does not make any difference. We then compared mains leads - cheapo kettle cable, Russ Andrews and Clearer Audio. There was a marked improvement with the branded cables - Clearer Audio being the better of the two. This was the biggest surprise in the whole of the test. Burn in with these cables does make a difference - they improve with use. - Never thought that spending money on mains cables would make any difference. - CONCLUSION 3 - don't waste money buying expensive interconnects. Put your scepticism to one side and try a mains cable upgrade. - These were blind tests - we did not try to convince ourselves that we had spent the money so they must sound better.

Yup, the presence of mains leads makes a far bigger difference than upgrading interconnects.

 

[jase fox]

I upgraded to the Russ Andrews Classic Power cords a few years ago now & i thought they made a big difference to the sound & picture quality, id have to say more with the sound than the pq but were well worth the upgrade all the same.

 

[Anonymous]

Oh and you could try Wireworld cables. http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/accessories/wireworld-aurora-52-491408/review.

This is what I got on the CD player. The entry level Stratus is on the amp.

You might even want to go further up. I've never heard any other cables, but I hear Nordost Shiva's can sound thin, so avoid them.

 

[Anonymous]

Hello Trevor79, would I be right in saying it would then be best to use the Tacima conditioner for the cd and pre amp while using my old main block for the power amp. Was thinking of adding a couple of new main leads be Tacima but will now try the Clear Audio Alpha based on What hi fi review and the poster above. If I notice a difference then I would buy more main leads.

 

[Anonymous]

Just read the post made by Captain Destracto. Funnily enough I tried the Russ Andrews interconnect cables and found them to be extremely bright and harsh at the top end. Although the bass seemed deeper. Because of the top end I sent them back after giving them a try after 21 days.