Headache Relief - mains cables

[admin_exported]

Hi All,

After help and advice on mains cables -

I have been researching this for a while and so far the only outcome is me getting a headache

.

I want / need some upgraded cables for my kit, as in -

Amp, Plasma, Sky HD, BluRay, Sub and HDD (+ HiFi in other room).

I have a dedicated mains supply (32amp spur on 6mm cable) which has a twin (unswitched) socket at the business end.

I intend to replace my (gimmicky) Monster HTS1000 mains conditioner which includes all the considered bad things, namely switch and neon indicators.

Replacement will be 1 or 2 Tacima 6 way conditioner blocks.

Now firstly, do I plug both into the mains socket or run 1 off the other and plug my amp directly into the other mains socket ?

Secondly, without spending an absolute fortune, which cables do you recommend for each device - all the same or different ones for each ?

Any help much appreciated and will help me keep the last of my hair.

Regards Si.

.

 

[Gimp67]

Yeah, I'd appreciate some views on mains cables as well - I'm just not convinced an expensive 'kettle lead' is worth it. Surely your system is only as good as the weakest link - in this case the mains cable behind the wall/socket.

Also, what are the views regarding power blocks (Monster or whoever) for splitting down the power? I'm sure I'm not alone in running around 8 units from 2 wall sockets. What's the vibe guys?

 

[jase fox]

If you guy's just do a forum search under "mains cables" im sure you'll find many debates as this subject matter has been covered ten fold. I do use RA specialist mains cables & they have made a huge difference to my system, my rule is to buy some, as the likes of RA etc do 60 day money back guarantee's so if you cant tell any difference then you send em back.

 

[Anonymous]

DELETED BY MODS, and user banned for one week - trading

 

[Oldboy]

I just added the Tacima mains block conditioner to my system and i have to be the most cynical person when it comes to cables, it really does work and my system is much clearer with better bass and dynamics all round and is a truly brilliant upgrade for the money. Personally i would plug each block that you get straight into your mains plug and NOT piggy back the 2 together (plug one into the other) just to keep the mains power constant and strong through all your devices. As for mains cables i am going to be replacing my freebies with Clearer Audio Copper Line Alpha as i'm not convinced of the value of this particular upgrade so i figure at £35 each it's not too costly to find out if it's worth it! Hope this helps

 

[idc]

Going by forum reviews and comments Tacima and Clearer Audio will see you right, without costing a fortune. With Clearer Audio you get a no quibble returns policy. I use Russ Andrews products, which are now more expensive than the above, but I and others such as Jase speak to their effectiveness. Ebay also offers cheaper, but not reviewed mains cables.

As for effect, get this months issue of What Hifi and read the Big Question article. Forum memebers were conned and did not realise cables were being swapped, but they reported sound improvements, particularly with the mains cables.

 

[Andrew Everard]

idc:Forum memebers were conned

Nobody was 'conned' - we just followed a blind testing method.

 

[Oldboy]

Just got to say Andrew that it's a brilliant test in this months issue and the reason why i bought the Tacima block conditioner! Congratulations to all involved in the Big Question section as it's fast becoming my favourite section.

 

[idc]

Andrew Everard:

idc:Forum memebers were conned

Nobody was 'conned' - we just followed a blind testing method.

I meant it in the nicest possible way. Apologies for coming over the wrong way. It was a cracking test.

 

[aliEnRIK]

I wouldnt discount the Monster mains conditioner completely. Ive never tried one but believe they are actually very good.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi All,

Thanks for all the replies -

jase fox - I agree that there are many things out there to read and that's why I am getting the headache. I, like yourself have always heard good things for RA and they are on my short list, but they are getting on the expensive side compared to some others. I know your reply will be that you get what you pay for (I agree) and that is why I am seeking yours and others advice - like do I need to replace all or just some - will the ones that I don't replace affect the ones that I do.

Oldboy - I like cynical people and always take on board a converted cynic's opinion. Great to hear that the Tacimas are working well for you and thanks for the advice ref connecting them.

idc - I am leaning towards Clearer Audio for the leads, I will need to find out if they make made to measure or only the off the peg lengths. I did find these - which use stunning cable (I know a bit about cable) but as you state they have not been reviewed and I don't know how easy they would be to return.

aliEnRIK - I have been happy with the Monster unit, I think way back when it was reviewed it got 3 stars from the WHF team. I think though that I have out grown it and feel that the current draw which I sometimes place on it has got to be near it's max limit. Then there's that switch and that neon indicator to worry about - and I do worry. I will keep it for another system (bedroom AV) which currently has no such device or protection.

Only a couple of quick answers needed now -

Do I plug my amp into the mains socket or via a tacima ?

Is it best to start (replacement leads) with the main current drawing equipment - amp, plasma, sub etc ?

If I run 2 Tacimas, is it best to split the load between the 2 or do I avoid plugging certain items next to each other ?

Many thanks for the help so far and looking forward to even more

Regards Si.

 

[idc]

Hi Si. If the Belden you linked to is in your budget then RA will be as well with the Powermax cable and check out returns etc in the Offers part of the site. As for lengths, connectors etc, both RA and Clearer Audio are easily contactable and will confirm any question you have. I have had RA make specific lengths for me without any issue.

As for the Tacimas, the consensus is not to plug amps into them. My RA mains coped with amps up to a mighty 40 watts and presently has a load of 2 watts to contend with, so it has an easy time of it! I would say experiment and report back your findings. You will not blow anything up!

 

[Anonymous]

Hi idc,

Cheers for the speedy reply.

So the amp straight to the mains then - no problem.

I will bite the bullet on Friday and start ordering and report back in the near future.

Thanks again.

Si.

 

[aliEnRIK]

Try the amp both ways. Most people seem to think its best connected direct to the mains generally speaking, but you might think differently

 

[Anonymous]

Good evening, had a busy old day so not able to answer your questions.

However you have had sound advise, given that you are on a 32A CB spur, or is that the wire? (It should be 40A)

The supply feed off each socket should be 16A, plug a Tacima into each. You then have a possibility that the AV amp might draw on its peak demands more amps than the Tacima might be able to provide given what else is pluged into the unit!

If that is the case plan 'B' is to buy a BT MTU (preferably a 500va version) and plug that into the 1st station on the block. With it having Mains Capacitance it copes easily with intermitant surges and the bonus is that more expensive mains cables make no difference providing you are sensible with the cable runs to avoid RF interference.

Enjoy

 

[lastcoyote]

aliEnRIK:Try the amp both ways. Most people seem to think its best connected direct to the mains generally speaking, but you might think differently

aliEnRIK i notice you have a IsoTek Mira. I'm considering getting one in hopes that it will cure a possible 'ground loop' problem i have. i've discussed it in the topic HERE. my second to last post explains the problem best. do you think it will help?

 

[Tom Moreno]

idc:
As for the Tacimas, the consensus is not to plug amps into them. My RA mains coped with amps up to a mighty 40 watts and presently has a load of 2 watts to contend with, so it has an easy time of it! I would say experiment and report back your findings. You will not blow anything up!

When I was looking into mains filters I looked at the Tacimas, but ended up getting the QED MDH6 that normally goes for ~£200 but when I bought it loads of places had it nearer £110. What I really liked about this unit is that of the 6 filtered sockets 2 are specified as high-current sockets for plugging your amps into. I've tried a number of plugging configurations and the best I've found is everything plugged into the MDH6 with my AVR and Subwoofer plugged into the high-current sockets.

 

[Anonymous]

Yo!

I was one of the guests on the Big Question this month and I must say I was shocked at the amount of difference the power cable upgrade made. Everything sounded much clearer with more depth to the bass. Astounding!

I ordered some for my system (one for the bluray and one for the telly, [the amp was hard wired so I couldn't do that], plus a Tacima conditioner.) I didn't notice as much of a difference on my system but I reckon if I could've changed the amp lead it would have made more difference.

I can't believe that I paid £800 for my amp and it came with cheap mains cable out of the back. GGRRRRR!

I would suggest that mains cable upgrades would probably be more noticable on a hifi setup more than a cinema sound system, maybe one for a future big question.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi trevor79,

Thanks for your input. Just a couple of questions -

Reference the BT MTU - does it offer protection from spikes and surges with it being basically a big capacitor / filter ?

Is it OK to plug direct into the mains socket and not to worry about spikes and surges affecting my amp ?

Thanks again to all.

 

[clearer_audio]

soulton:idc - I am leaning towards Clearer Audio for the leads, I will need to find out if they make made to measure or only the off the peg lengths.

Hello Si

Standard lengths start at 1m with increments being 0.25m. However, cables are hand-built to order so we can make to any length you require.

Thank you for your interest in our products.

Kind regards,

Darren

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the info and reply Darren.

I have ordered a Tacima cs929 (cheap and new from Amazon) and when it arrives I will work out the best place to site it, I will then be able to work out cable runs and lengths (If I upgrade them all do I need to worry about parallel runs ?)

My amp will go straight into the other mains socket via an upgraded lead - do you recommend or add any surge/spike protection on your Copper Line Alpha lead (it will be 1.5m in length) ?

Thanks again,

Si.

 

[aliEnRIK]

lastcoyote:
aliEnRIK:Try the amp both ways. Most people seem to think its best connected direct to the mains generally speaking, but you might think differently

aliEnRIK i notice you have a IsoTek Mira. I'm considering getting one in hopes that it will cure a possible 'ground loop' problem i have. i've discussed it in the topic HERE. my second to last post explains the problem best. do you think it will help?

You must have some sort of 'feedback' problem with that. Sounds to me like the tvs at fault and I very much doubt the Isotek would clear it up (Though it might help a little with the hum)

 

[Anonymous]

soulton:
Hi trevor79,

Thanks for your input. Just a couple of questions -

Reference the BT MTU - does it offer protection from spikes and surges with it being basically a big capacitor / filter ?

Is it OK to plug direct into the mains socket and not to worry about spikes and surges affecting my amp ?

Thanks again to all.

Hi, the BT MTU's are designed to deal with spikes and surges, giving a extremely stable, clean and smooth supply. So good in fact that I find no noticable difference in sound and picture in using 'RA Classic Powerkords' against standard kettle leads!

Some people have reported on here that there units have a slight hum to them, but my two are silent. For me they have transformed the musicality of my Onkyo 875 giving clarity/depth/detail/timing that makes it sound like a very good stereo amp with 7 channels!

The curuption on the signal paths (internally) by the massive power supply has been tamed by the smooth mains feed it now gets.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks again trevor79.

I will start checking e-bay for one - I take it they are expensive to purchase new?

Cheers

 

[Anonymous]

Unfortunatly BT don't make them anymore, so they come up second hand as engineers install new telephone systems.

I have wrote on here about them on other threads, why not take a look.
http://community.whathifi.com/forums/t/160557.aspx

http://community.whathifi.com/forums/t/285509.aspx