Which mains cables/blocks are used when testing equipment on What HiFi?

[John Duncan]

Andrew Everard:
And each time unmasked...

Mind you, the second time we did wonder if he'd been a bit too liberal in his interpretation of a Stig costume...

Or at least the spelling...

 

[Clare Newsome]

drummerman:Andrew Everard:
Don't think I even understand the subtext of that question, which is again way off-topic when we're talking about mains supplies.

But yes, everything is tested on the same terms.

Slightly off-topic but how do you test tv's/projectors? Factory settings or adjusted to what you deem best?

We obviously take a quick look 'out of the box' (if only to point out how bad the set looks on factory settings), but then set-up until we're happy - only then does it get comparatively tested.

 

[drummerman]

Clare Newsome:drummerman:Andrew Everard:
Don't think I even understand the subtext of that question, which is again way off-topic when we're talking about mains supplies.

But yes, everything is tested on the same terms.

Slightly off-topic but how do you test tv's/projectors? Factory settings or adjusted to what you deem best?

We obviously take a quick look 'out of the box' (if only to point out how bad the set looks on factory settings), but then set-up until we're happy - only then does it get comparatively tested.

Would'nt it make sense for you to invest in some professional calibration equipment to guarantee level field?

 

[Andrew Everard]

We use the same set-up techniques and experience on both TVs and projectors.

And yes, way off the original topic.

 

[Anonymous]

Very interesting info given.

The office block is fed off its own sub station, which means that the Neutral/Earth feed will be very strong and mains contamination will be generated ONLY internally within the building.

To deal with this a dedicated spur is feed into each testing room.

You therefore have a pretty clean Mains supply, much better than the usual home.
Now whilst it is a level playing field for reviewing on everything tested the law of diminishing returns also applies.

With the quality of mains supply being set higher than the domestic norm the effect on equipment tested, (some more susceptible than others to contamination of supply) will give an advantage on poor build quality (components, circuit design) allowing them to perform better.

Therefore the gap is narrowed between the two extremes of 'good and bad' which is for the good for the majority who do not have the deep pockets to buy high end equipment but who can get nearer to the performance of it by addressing other areas as the professionals do.

It is worth factoring this in to ones thinking when reading and buying from reviews IMHO.

 

[Messiah]

Just a thought.....if the mains coming into the test rooms is so 'clean' what improvements could an upmarket mains cable or block make??

Maybe I'm way off here???.......

 

[drummerman]

Andrew Everard:
We use the same set-up techniques and experience on both TVs and projectors.

And yes, way off the original topic.

I could start a thread on 'tv testing methods' but can't be bothered. Your reviewing of sets etc seems hit and miss as almost every other publication at least use some sort of calibration equipment to meet set industry standards before evaluating the things which in turn guarantees ... a level field. I think you could usefully follow as it is impossible to acurately calibrate by eye plus a little more information would be handy too. You got your own substation, separate spurs etc so raiding your kitty for some £1500 worth of hard/software won't bankrupt you, I hope.

 

[Peter Larsen]

Ketan Bharadia:We always use the mains cables supplied by the equipment manufacturer. It's what the consumer gets, so it's what we test with. Specialist mains products aren't always better, and price isn't a particularly good way to judge them. But, in our experience the good ones make a useful improvement to performance, be it picture or sound.

ÿOkay, but that doesn't really answer my question. I f you give 4 stars to a mains block like ex. the Supra and states that its sounding a bit lean. What is your reference point? How would you rate an ordinary mains block like most people useÿ- bought from ex the local supermarket. The Supra is given 4 stars, but compared to what? Would my plain thin normal mains cable and block get like 1 or 2 stars?

I hope I get an answer to this, but am afraid that my question will drown in peoples attempts at being funny and off thread.ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Messiah:
Just a thought.....if the mains coming into the test rooms is so 'clean' what improvements could an upmarket mains cable or block make??

Maybe I'm way off here???.......

Obviously they can only help to remove contamination that is still left, the reports of reviewed improvements must mean that the Mains isn't totally clean.
Having your own Sub Station is pretty cool though, makes it a very short run to the Meter!

I wonder if they have a dedicated consumer unit for each spur, that way the spurs are not on the bus bar of the various ring mains in the office.

 

[drummerman]

Peter Larsen:

I hope I get an answer to this, but am afraid that my question will drown in peoples attempts at being funny and off thread.

You get used to it. A lot of us suffer from short-attention-span-deficit-disorders. Back to the subject, I like white but decided for gloss black. Just those finger prints.

 

[John Duncan]

Peter Larsen:I hope I get an answer to this, but am afraid that my question will drown in peoples attempts at being funny and off thread.ÿ

You're welcome

Peter Larsen:
Ketan Bharadia:We always use the mains cables supplied by the equipment manufacturer. It's what the consumer gets, so it's what we test with. Specialist mains products aren't always better, and price isn't a particularly good way to judge them. But, in our experience the good ones make a useful improvement to performance, be it picture or sound.
Okay, but that doesn't really answer my question. I f you give 4 stars to a mains block like ex. the Supra and states that its sounding a bit lean. What is your reference point? How would you rate an ordinary mains block like most people use - bought from ex the local supermarket. The Supra is given 4 stars, but compared to what? Would my plain thin normal mains cable and block get like 1 or 2 stars?

Compared to the other products available on the market, from worst to best, presumably. Four stars includes reference to price, so 'lean' means 'lean compared to other components at this price', just like every other product review.

 

[Anonymous]

I would have thought the reference point would be the kettle lead that came from the manufacturer.

Apart from Valve amps and Record Decks no equipment sounds really fine fed with the typical Mains off the city grid. IMHO

The buy and 60 day returns policies is a no brainer for checking out the benefits.

 

[Peter Larsen]

Okay, guess there is not really a clear answer to be found. Could be fun if What HiFi would test the typical cheap mains block that most people probably use, and see how the sound verdict comes out.

 

[idc]

Messiah:

Just a thought.....if the mains coming into the test rooms is so 'clean' what improvements could an upmarket mains cable or block make??

Maybe I'm way off here???.......

Good point Messiah. My experience is that different house, different supply, different level of effectiveness for my Russ Andrews mains extension and silencer. If the What hifi mains are pretty clean then any effectiveness will be reduced. Do you guys take stuff home to test? That way the testing will be more 'real world'.

 

[timwileman]

JohnDuncan:EMSKY1:
Hi Andrew and Ketan,

That would be great if WHF could have a "reader's day" each month, where readers could come and visit your testing center, maybe bring one piece of kit to test with the rest of the benchmark system you already have set up there, and possibly go for a beer afterwards

That would be an awesome thing.

Well I do keep hanging around outside with puppy eyes and an Airport Express in my pocket......

stalker

 

[idc]

Peter Larsen:Okay, guess there is not really a clear answer to be found. Could be fun if What HiFi would test the typical cheap mains block that most people probably use, and see how the sound verdict comes out.

For example, elsewhere I have read of people who swear a significant improvement in sound is achieved with power supply units bought from.........Maplin. So I agree, it would be interesting to test mains products with a reference product bought from a non Hifi source.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Messiah:Just a thought.....if the mains coming into the test rooms is so 'clean' what improvements could an upmarket mains cable or block make??
Maybe I'm way off here???.......

Not at all - quite a lot of the benefits claimed for such products are not to do with improving the quality of the incoming mains - ie from the distribution network - but actually filtering out interference and noise put onto the mains by other equipment in the home. Or in this case listening room.

 

[Messiah]

Andrew Everard:Messiah:Just a thought.....if the mains coming into the test rooms is so 'clean' what improvements could an upmarket mains cable or block make??
Maybe I'm way off here???.......

Not at all - quite a lot of the benefits claimed for such products are not to do with improving the quality of the incoming mains - ie from the distribution network - but actually filtering out interference and noise put onto the mains by other equipment in the home. Or in this case listening room.

Ah I see. Cheers Mr E