Power cables
- Thread starter admin_exported
- Start date
Sliced Bread
Well-known member
- Jul 28, 2010
- 510
- 94
- 18,970
andrewg:Is it worth upgrading them, and what difference can be seen in performance and picture?.
I got an improvement by adding copper line alpha mains to my amplifier and cd player. The difference was subtle, but made the whole system sound a little more 'hi-fidelity' if that makes any sense. It was just that bit clearer. It is worth noting that I use mine with a Tacima mains block, which helps to clean up the mains. I don't know how much improvement they might make without a mains purifier as I've never tried it.
I was happy, but I suppose it depends how fussy you are. For the record though, there was a bigger difference to the sound when I added one to my Amp than when I added one to my CD player. But personally I would add the Tacima mains block first. Please note that (so I've been told) the improvement on a mains conditioner is dependant upon how clean / dirty your mains is in the first place. But please note that I am no expert, just reporting what I found in my experience.
http://whathifi.com/Review/Tacima-CS929/
http://whathifi.com/Review/Clearer-Audio-Copper-Line-Alpha-mains/
I got an improvement by adding copper line alpha mains to my amplifier and cd player. The difference was subtle, but made the whole system sound a little more 'hi-fidelity' if that makes any sense. It was just that bit clearer. It is worth noting that I use mine with a Tacima mains block, which helps to clean up the mains. I don't know how much improvement they might make without a mains purifier as I've never tried it.
I was happy, but I suppose it depends how fussy you are. For the record though, there was a bigger difference to the sound when I added one to my Amp than when I added one to my CD player. But personally I would add the Tacima mains block first. Please note that (so I've been told) the improvement on a mains conditioner is dependant upon how clean / dirty your mains is in the first place. But please note that I am no expert, just reporting what I found in my experience.
http://whathifi.com/Review/Tacima-CS929/
http://whathifi.com/Review/Clearer-Audio-Copper-Line-Alpha-mains/
i use merlin tarantula power cables for my tv and astereo amp and cd player.
the benefit for the tv was that the colours was a lot brighter and crisper.
hard to explain by thread but the stereo sound from both cd and amp was improved. blind tested the wife with them and even she could tell.
some people dont belive but i do. if you can test before you buy and hear a difference then buy it, if you cant hear it then dont.
hope this helps
the benefit for the tv was that the colours was a lot brighter and crisper.
hard to explain by thread but the stereo sound from both cd and amp was improved. blind tested the wife with them and even she could tell.
some people dont belive but i do. if you can test before you buy and hear a difference then buy it, if you cant hear it then dont.
hope this helps
Got exactly the same two with the alpha cable on my cd player and I am equally impressed too. much better cohesion as a whole and better bass, dynamics the lot.
andrewg:Is it worth upgrading them, and what difference can be seen in performance and picture?.
No, they are a waste of money and don't change anything at all.
No, they are a waste of money and don't change anything at all.
I initially fitted a braided 5 core silver plated mains cable to my Pioneer tv, which slowly looked better and better for about 6 months then hit a peak. Then I tried a 16 Core machine braided copper mains lead which has 'definitely' improved my plasma even more over time.
Also, I had the same style 5 core on my amps (denon av and arcam stereo), and changed to a 16 core solid silver braided cable (Not cheap I must admit), the av amp in particular made a HUGH leap forward! Films sound incredibly powerful now (And it was no slouch before)
So yes, in 'my' particular setup it they really have made a difference.
BUT
Id say its down to how 'clean' the mains is into your house to begin with and how susceptible to EMI your components are.
Also, some 'mains cables' ARE a gimmick. Watch what you buy.......
Also, I had the same style 5 core on my amps (denon av and arcam stereo), and changed to a 16 core solid silver braided cable (Not cheap I must admit), the av amp in particular made a HUGH leap forward! Films sound incredibly powerful now (And it was no slouch before)
So yes, in 'my' particular setup it they really have made a difference.
BUT
Id say its down to how 'clean' the mains is into your house to begin with and how susceptible to EMI your components are.
Also, some 'mains cables' ARE a gimmick. Watch what you buy.......
What do you mean when you say "depends how clean your mains are into your house" and how can i find out.
andrewg:What do you mean when you say "depends how clean your mains are into your house" and how can i find out.
Get one from a company that gives a trial period and full refund, and try one for yourself. This is the only way you'll be certain if a cable will work in your system or not.
Get one from a company that gives a trial period and full refund, and try one for yourself. This is the only way you'll be certain if a cable will work in your system or not.
andrewg:What do you mean when you say "depends how clean your mains are into your house" and how can i find out.
Im afraid I personally dont know HOW to find that out. I just tried them out of sheer interest (And very glad I did)
Ive tried various leads and conditioners with varying degrees of success. I have a 16 Core braided solid copper 9 foot lead into a russ andrews mains block. Which then feeds various equipment. My tv is actually then fed with an isotek Mira mains conditioner then to the mains lead I said before. Each and every upgrade ive done has been an improvement (Save for trying a few mains cables out, the BLACK WIDOW mains cable I tried I wasnt too impressed with)
There are 2 main types of cables. Ones with EMI sheathing on the outside (Perfect for absolutely 'clean' mains, so only needs to stop airbourne EMI emmisions), and 'braided'. Ive found braided to be FAR better (In MY own home, and my fathers). It sounds crazy but they work by the negative and positive to cancel one another out and effectively 'cleans' any 'mains bourne' interference, and combats EMI just as effectively as a proper 'shield' type. The more wires that are 'braided', the better the effect.
I bought some off an EBAY supplier and they absolutely BLOW AWAY all the main manufacturers cables ive tried! (Russ Andrews, Isotek etc)
Im afraid I personally dont know HOW to find that out. I just tried them out of sheer interest (And very glad I did)
Ive tried various leads and conditioners with varying degrees of success. I have a 16 Core braided solid copper 9 foot lead into a russ andrews mains block. Which then feeds various equipment. My tv is actually then fed with an isotek Mira mains conditioner then to the mains lead I said before. Each and every upgrade ive done has been an improvement (Save for trying a few mains cables out, the BLACK WIDOW mains cable I tried I wasnt too impressed with)
There are 2 main types of cables. Ones with EMI sheathing on the outside (Perfect for absolutely 'clean' mains, so only needs to stop airbourne EMI emmisions), and 'braided'. Ive found braided to be FAR better (In MY own home, and my fathers). It sounds crazy but they work by the negative and positive to cancel one another out and effectively 'cleans' any 'mains bourne' interference, and combats EMI just as effectively as a proper 'shield' type. The more wires that are 'braided', the better the effect.
I bought some off an EBAY supplier and they absolutely BLOW AWAY all the main manufacturers cables ive tried! (Russ Andrews, Isotek etc)
professorhat
Well-known member
- Dec 28, 2007
- 992
- 22
- 18,895
Big Chris:andrewg:What do you mean when you say "depends how clean your mains are into your house" and how can i find out.
Get one from a company that gives a trial period and full refund, and try one for yourself. This is the only way you'll be certain if a cable will work in your system or not.
Both Clearer Audio and Russ Andrews do 60 day home trials so you can send the cable back within this time for a full refund if you don't think you're getting any benefit. I have both a Clearer Audio Copper-line Alpha and a Russ Andrews Powermax Plus and am happy with the improvement provided by both.
Get one from a company that gives a trial period and full refund, and try one for yourself. This is the only way you'll be certain if a cable will work in your system or not.
Both Clearer Audio and Russ Andrews do 60 day home trials so you can send the cable back within this time for a full refund if you don't think you're getting any benefit. I have both a Clearer Audio Copper-line Alpha and a Russ Andrews Powermax Plus and am happy with the improvement provided by both.
Sliced Bread
Well-known member
- Jul 28, 2010
- 510
- 94
- 18,970
professorhat:Big Chris:andrewg:What do you mean when you say "depends how clean your mains are into your house" and how can i find out.
Get one from a company that gives a trial period and full refund, and try one for yourself. This is the only way you'll be certain if a cable will work in your system or not.
Both Clearer Audio and Russ Andrews do 60 day home trials so you can send the cable back within this time for a full refund if you don't think you're getting any benefit. I have both a Clearer Audio Copper-line Alpha and a Russ Andrews Powermax Plus and am happy with the improvement provided by both.
If the mains is dirty, then will the last meter of cable make a difference without a conditioner? (A question not a statement) :O)
Get one from a company that gives a trial period and full refund, and try one for yourself. This is the only way you'll be certain if a cable will work in your system or not.
Both Clearer Audio and Russ Andrews do 60 day home trials so you can send the cable back within this time for a full refund if you don't think you're getting any benefit. I have both a Clearer Audio Copper-line Alpha and a Russ Andrews Powermax Plus and am happy with the improvement provided by both.
If the mains is dirty, then will the last meter of cable make a difference without a conditioner? (A question not a statement) :O)
professorhat
Well-known member
- Dec 28, 2007
- 992
- 22
- 18,895
Has done in my experience but I couldn't tell you why. That's not to say a conditioner doesn't improve things further - I also bought the Tacima unit but after I purchased the leads.
JohnNewman:
If the mains is dirty, then will the last meter of cable make a difference without a conditioner? (A question not a statement) :O)
As ive explained above (and tested for myself), BRAIDED cable cleans the mains interference (And means the longer the cable and the more the braids the better the effect!)
If the mains is dirty, then will the last meter of cable make a difference without a conditioner? (A question not a statement) :O)
As ive explained above (and tested for myself), BRAIDED cable cleans the mains interference (And means the longer the cable and the more the braids the better the effect!)
aliEnRIK:
JohnNewman:
If the mains is dirty, then will the last meter of cable make a difference without a conditioner? (A question not a statement) :O)
As ive explained above (and tested for myself), BRAIDED cable cleans the mains interference (And means the longer the cable and the more the braids the better the effect!)
The only effect of these pieces of nonsense wire is the reduction of the quantity of money in your bank account which produces a proportional placebo effect.
JohnNewman:
If the mains is dirty, then will the last meter of cable make a difference without a conditioner? (A question not a statement) :O)
As ive explained above (and tested for myself), BRAIDED cable cleans the mains interference (And means the longer the cable and the more the braids the better the effect!)
The only effect of these pieces of nonsense wire is the reduction of the quantity of money in your bank account which produces a proportional placebo effect.
Grimly Fiendish:aliEnRIK:
JohnNewman:
If the mains is dirty, then will the last meter of cable make a difference without a conditioner? (A question not a statement) :O)
As ive explained above (and tested for myself), BRAIDED cable cleans the mains interference (And means the longer the cable and the more the braids the better the effect!)
The only effect of these pieces of nonsense wire is the reduction of the quantity of money in your bank account which produces a proportional placebo effect.
Ignorance is bliss, if it works for you, fine.
Be happy and enjoy your music.
JohnNewman:
If the mains is dirty, then will the last meter of cable make a difference without a conditioner? (A question not a statement) :O)
As ive explained above (and tested for myself), BRAIDED cable cleans the mains interference (And means the longer the cable and the more the braids the better the effect!)
The only effect of these pieces of nonsense wire is the reduction of the quantity of money in your bank account which produces a proportional placebo effect.
Ignorance is bliss, if it works for you, fine.
Be happy and enjoy your music.
Grimly Fiendish:aliEnRIK:
JohnNewman:
If the mains is dirty, then will the last meter of cable make a difference without a conditioner? (A question not a statement) :O)
As ive explained above (and tested for myself), BRAIDED cable cleans the mains interference (And means the longer the cable and the more the braids the better the effect!)
The only effect of these pieces of nonsense wire is the reduction of the quantity of money in your bank account which produces a proportional placebo effect.
Another person who truly doesnt have a clue
Lets put it this way. if it truly made no difference, or I was truly struggling to tell if it did or not...... id say so. Like today for instance, I bought some dual layer discs which havnt worked. I spent my money and they CLEARLY dont work. Do I feel foolish for saying so? No, I put it down to experience. SO, continuing from that, if the mains made no deifference at all, id say so, because I dont care one way or the other!
BUT
As it stands, the difference is EXTREMELY clear to see. If you havnt had much luck, or indeed just BELIEVE that mains cables have no effect than thats entirely your own experience.
Basically what im saying is that your wrong! But you believe what you believe mate. I care NOT a jot.........
JohnNewman:
If the mains is dirty, then will the last meter of cable make a difference without a conditioner? (A question not a statement) :O)
As ive explained above (and tested for myself), BRAIDED cable cleans the mains interference (And means the longer the cable and the more the braids the better the effect!)
The only effect of these pieces of nonsense wire is the reduction of the quantity of money in your bank account which produces a proportional placebo effect.
Another person who truly doesnt have a clue
Lets put it this way. if it truly made no difference, or I was truly struggling to tell if it did or not...... id say so. Like today for instance, I bought some dual layer discs which havnt worked. I spent my money and they CLEARLY dont work. Do I feel foolish for saying so? No, I put it down to experience. SO, continuing from that, if the mains made no deifference at all, id say so, because I dont care one way or the other!
BUT
As it stands, the difference is EXTREMELY clear to see. If you havnt had much luck, or indeed just BELIEVE that mains cables have no effect than thats entirely your own experience.
Basically what im saying is that your wrong! But you believe what you believe mate. I care NOT a jot.........
Grimly Fiendish:I speak from knowledge and experience, not belief. No need to get personal.
You said
"The only effect of these pieces of nonsense wire is the reduction of the quantity of money in your bank account which produces a proportional placebo effect."
Ergo your saying im speaking absolute rubbish and all ive done is wasted my money. You dont think THATS personal??
Im also speaking from experience
You said
"The only effect of these pieces of nonsense wire is the reduction of the quantity of money in your bank account which produces a proportional placebo effect."
Ergo your saying im speaking absolute rubbish and all ive done is wasted my money. You dont think THATS personal??
Im also speaking from experience
aliEnRIK:
Grimly Fiendish:I speak from knowledge and experience, not belief. No need to get personal.
You said
"The only effect of these pieces of nonsense wire is the reduction of the quantity of money in your bank account which produces a proportional placebo effect."
Ergo your saying im speaking absolute rubbish and all ive done is wasted my money. You dont think THATS personal??
Im also speaking from experience
No, my reply wasn't personal. Anyone can be deceived by the placebo effect, including myself.
Grimly Fiendish:I speak from knowledge and experience, not belief. No need to get personal.
You said
"The only effect of these pieces of nonsense wire is the reduction of the quantity of money in your bank account which produces a proportional placebo effect."
Ergo your saying im speaking absolute rubbish and all ive done is wasted my money. You dont think THATS personal??
Im also speaking from experience
No, my reply wasn't personal. Anyone can be deceived by the placebo effect, including myself.
professorhat
Well-known member
- Dec 28, 2007
- 992
- 22
- 18,895
I can recommend the TacimaCS929 mains conditioning block. I bought mine for £24 delivered off Amazon and it made a big difference to the picture quality on my 42" Pany plasma. There's alot less picture noise than before, probably one of the cheapest performance upgrades you can buy.
aliEnRIK:
JohnNewman:
If the mains is dirty, then will the last meter of cable make a difference without a conditioner? (A question not a statement) :O)
As ive explained above (and tested for myself), BRAIDED cable cleans the mains interference (And means the longer the cable and the more the braids the better the effect!)
Hello aliEnRIK,
Also bear in mind that braided cables are only effective at reducing RFI (a narrow band of noise within the EMI spectrum) and that the level of effectiveness is dependent upon the type of braiding and indeed the number of braids. Braids can also adversely affect the performance of a cable which has to be considered in any design. We prefer to use very high-performance custom-made ferrite rings (ours - called Super Suppressors - offer broad band performance being effective across the whole EMI spectrum) to remove noise that is already on the power line. This solution is offered on our Silver-line cables upwards.
As always it is best to listen and judge for yourself as you clearly have done!
Kind regards,
Darren
JohnNewman:
If the mains is dirty, then will the last meter of cable make a difference without a conditioner? (A question not a statement) :O)
As ive explained above (and tested for myself), BRAIDED cable cleans the mains interference (And means the longer the cable and the more the braids the better the effect!)
Hello aliEnRIK,
Also bear in mind that braided cables are only effective at reducing RFI (a narrow band of noise within the EMI spectrum) and that the level of effectiveness is dependent upon the type of braiding and indeed the number of braids. Braids can also adversely affect the performance of a cable which has to be considered in any design. We prefer to use very high-performance custom-made ferrite rings (ours - called Super Suppressors - offer broad band performance being effective across the whole EMI spectrum) to remove noise that is already on the power line. This solution is offered on our Silver-line cables upwards.
As always it is best to listen and judge for yourself as you clearly have done!
Kind regards,
Darren
Lindy is also recomended in this month's issue. It's based on the Tacima and got 5 stars. http://whathifi.com/Review/Lindy-6-way/
I bought 3 x CopperLine's from ClearerAudio about a month ago and was very pleasantly surprised at the improvement. I've since ordered a CopperLine Alpha for my plasma as a result. CA's service is excellent - even backing up their 60 day return policy for overseas customers - I'm in Australia so thats confidence as far as I'm concerned!
I personally use Isotek Sigmas and Power Chords. Not Cheap but definatley "cleans" the sound. Bigger wider soundstage.
Oh...and I live in a house thats 7 years old so I have newish mains.
Oh...and I live in a house thats 7 years old so I have newish mains.
Similar threads
TRENDING THREADS
-
-
Question Static electricity? Crackling sound when raising lever after playing record- Started by freddyonderstal
- Replies: 11
-
-
-
-
-
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram