What Mains block to buy?

[robreid]

I currently have a Belkin Pure AV mains block and want to upgrade it as have not really noticed a big difference from it, I'm looking to spend between £100 and £200 pounds.

I have been looking at the QED Qonduit mains block but it says that only 2 outputs are over 100watts on the 6 way one and as I have a Arcam Solo, Arcam P35, Mac Mini, Epos Sub and a LCD screen that all consume over 100watts each I guess that counts that one out.

I then have a Blu ray player and an ipod dock to connect so need 7 sockets, so an 8 way is probably best although I could live with a six way one.

I have seen two options the copper line alpha hub and the supra one. Just wondered if anyone can recommend either or has any other suggestions.

Cheers, Rob

 

[bigboss]

I will be surprised if you notice any change at all. Look at my post on Audio Myths workshop in the "Home Cinema" section that I posted few days ago.

Go for a better blu-ray player & ipod dock instead for improved performance.

 

[robreid]

Thanks, I'll take a look. I know there is a lot of myths when it comes to cables and mains blocks, I just want something to filter out the RF from the mains and provide surge protection as there are some clicks and pops when the fridge goes off and on so I'm not convinced about the Belkin one I have.

We have BT vision and I know its putting RF on my mains, it transmitts to the BT vision box through two plugs putting the signal on the mains, so I just want to make sure its filtered out. I know I could put some ferrites on my mains cables to supress it a bit but thought a proper filter may do it better.

 

[Anonymous]

Ive always been happy with Russ Andrews products, they get great reviews and customers are happy too, check the link below and have a look at their choice of mains blocks:

http://www.russandrews.com/category.asp?lookup=0&region=UK&currency=GBP&customer_id=PAA1759032310478RHTSXVNHZNCHLGSS&cat_id=PMAINBLOC

Regards> M

 

[Anonymous]

the tacimas been one of my best buys ever to be honest, and for 25 pound its a bargain...

 

[robreid]

Cheers for the opinions...

I do like the russ andrews stuff but I personally think it is a lot of money for what it is. I would like a silencer block but would never pay that money, the only mains block they have in my budget has no filtering or surge protection which is the main thing Iïm looking for. Iïm really not convinced with the tight contacts or kimber cable making a big difference and think this is what leads people to thinking this stuff in a con.

Iïve been looking at the tacima block but was a bit hesitant as it almost seems too much of a bargain, Iïd prefer to go for something better quality that will last but if there is no such thing may just go for one of these.

 

[bluebrazil]

i have a tacima block and a belkin gold av block, i run my amp, psxr, lcd screen, cdp, dab and ps3 off the tacima, i use the belkin for my dac, protection for my ariel and for my fishtank

 

[bluebrazil]

seriously tho i found the belkin strangled the amps, i know people also say this about the tacima but i find its in a different league. i have a fridge close by, my fishtank with its pumps and heater etc and i dont have any real issues. i think my biggest problem is wifi and the cable spaghetti at the back of my system, thats why i am now in the process of changing all my mains cables to chord superscreens, the shorter lengths and screening seem to be helping with the 2 i have already (on amp and cdp).

 

[Anonymous]

Id give you the £25 to try the tacima, order one from E-bay and report back thats all ill say.

dave

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi robreid

In the first instance i will always suggest plugging components directly into wall sockets. However if an extension block is needed than you might be interested to know that i use standard mains extension blocks.

At the moment all our equipment is connected (when needed) using standard mains blocks from Wilkinson stores at around £5 each. From the after market mains blocks that i have tried which have been on sale over the last few years frankly none of them have bettered direct wall connection of mains cables/standard mains blocks. Some of them did nothing at all (which in a way is good) and others altered performance for the worst generally giving an almost brash/compressed effect to the sound. Either way these tried after market mains extension blocks (for me) did not justify the extra cost over a standard mains extension blocks irrespective of components or locations they were used at.

Thanks

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[bluebrazil]

MUSICRAFT:

Hi robreid

In the first instance i will always suggest plugging components directly into wall sockets. However if an extension block is needed than you might be interested to know that i use standard mains extension blocks.

At the moment all our equipment is connected (when needed) using standard mains blocks from Wilkinson stores at around £5 each. From the after market mains blocks that i have tried which have been on sale over the last few years frankly none of them have bettered direct wall connection of mains cables/standard mains blocks. Some of them did nothing at all (which in a way is good) and others altered performance for the worst generally giving an almost brash/compressed effect to the sound. Either way these tried after market mains extension blocks (for me) did not justify the extra cost over a standard mains extension blocks irrespective of components or locations they were used at.

Thanks

Rick @ Musicraft

do you have any experiences of using after market mains cables at the shop rick?

 

[fayeanddavid]

reggaedave:
Id give you the £25 to try the tacima, order one from E-bay and report back thats all ill say.

dave

Hear hear...................they really are that good, stop dithering, spend the money and be ready for the improvement!!

 

[Anonymous]

How about one that Monster cables produce, it has surge protection aswell as noise filtering too, here is a link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Monster-MP-HTS-800-UK/dp/B000F5SNZ4/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1268865794&sr=8-5

I do hear good things about these too from customers who own them.

Regards> M

 

[MUSICRAFT]

bluebrazil:MUSICRAFT:

Hi robreid

In the first instance i will always suggest plugging components directly into wall sockets. However if an extension block is needed than you might be interested to know that i use standard mains extension blocks.

At the moment all our equipment is connected (when needed) using standard mains blocks from Wilkinson stores at around £5 each. From the after market mains blocks that i have tried which have been on sale over the last few years frankly none of them have bettered direct wall connection of mains cables/standard mains blocks. Some of them did nothing at all (which in a way is good) and others altered performance for the worst generally giving an almost brash/compressed effect to the sound. Either way these tried after market mains extension blocks (for me) did not justify the extra cost over a standard mains extension blocks irrespective of components or locations they were used at.

Thanks

Rick @ Musicraft

do you have any experiences of using after market mains cables at the shop rick?

Hi bluebrazil

Yes, i have tried them in my shop. At the moment all of our equipment is connected using the standard mains cables originally supplied with the components. From the many after market mains cables which i have tried that have been on sale over the last few years frankly none of them have bettered the standard supplied mains cables. Some of them did nothing at all (which in a way is good) and the others altered the performance for the worst generally giving an almost murky grey/compressed effect to the sound. Either way these tried after market mains cables (for me) did not justify any extra cost over standard supplied mains cables irrespective of components or locations they were used at.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[robreid]

So has nobody tried the Supra MD-06 or the clearer audio Alpha Hub?

Although the Tacima is great value for money I'm not convinced that it will be up to what I'm expecting, my system will be drawing close upto 1KW with everything running which I think the Tacima will struggle with and supress the sound (unless anyone knows differently?), I'm happy to pay more for something that will make a difference.

I would use a cheap mains block as I don't buy into all the contact stuff making a big difference but I do want something to filter the mains and supress surges to a decent level, I have been mulling over a russ andrews silencer and a cheap mains block but wondered if there a more expensive complete product that would do the job.

I'm a bit surprised WHF has reviewed so many mains cables and so few filters or blocks as they make a far bigger difference.

 

[robreid]

Has anyone got/tried one of the Tacima SC5723, the plug that reduces noise and supresses surges

 

[Anonymous]

Try the true colurs industries baby constrictor. Very good and got a 5 star verdict.

Retails for around £70-80

 

[robreid]

But isn't that just a block with no filtering or surge protection?

The only thing is has is a screened cable, but this does nothing unless its after a RF filter

 

[Anonymous]

I thought it had all in it, maybe not though.

The internals of your kit will have mains protection. Try the tacima instead if you like.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm looking at buying one of these http://www.olson.co.uk/am1025.htm

Upon request they can be fitted with surge protection and they have the power meter fitted also.

 

[idc]

robreid:Has anyone got/tried one of the Tacima SC5723, the plug that reduces noise and supresses surges

Yes, I bought one just recently. Apparently they were being withdrawn from production, but they are now back. I was getting noise from my laptop that I could hear as an increased hiss through my headphones. I have plugged the Tacima into a £5 mains extension which is for the laptop and a lamp, keeping that away from another extension for the hifi. It has a RA The Silencer in it.

I do not have very noisy mains at all, so the Tacima has had a minimal effect. But I do not hear any hiss any more. I also know my laptop has some surge protection now. Great for £28.

 

[bretty]

Panasonic Store:
How about one that Monster cables produce, it has surge protection aswell as noise filtering too, here is a link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Monster-MP-HTS-800-UK/dp/B000F5SNZ4/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1268865794&sr=8-5

I do hear good things about these too from customers who own them.

Regards> M

I have that one. Although I didn't notice any difference with my hi-fi components, it made a massive improvement on the tele. I didn't realise how noisy the picture was until I ran the tele through the Monster. Very, very good bit of kit.

 

[Anonymous]

I.ve just hooked up the tacima 929, the results are immediate tv picture is much better the ps is delivering better blacks and music is much cleaner nd separation of channels on stereo especially is impressive.

 

[robreid]

idc:
robreid:Has anyone got/tried one of the Tacima SC5723, the plug that reduces noise and supresses surges

Yes, I bought one just recently. Apparently they were being withdrawn from production, but they are now back. I was getting noise from my laptop that I could hear as an increased hiss through my headphones. I have plugged the Tacima into a £5 mains extension which is for the laptop and a lamp, keeping that away from another extension for the hifi. It has a RA The Silencer in it.

I do not have very noisy mains at all, so the Tacima has had a minimal effect. But I do not hear any hiss any more. I also know my laptop has some surge protection now. Great for £28.

Thanks for the info, where did you buy it from?