Mains Cables

[Mr Pig]

Originally Posted by SteveS1

Any particular reason why the cables supplied are deficient? Assuming they are long enough, of course.

I can recommend cables that are long enough to reach the socket. I've used cables that are long enough for years now and I've never had a problem with them. Ok, to be fair I've never tried a cable that was not long enough but I've heard enough negative opinion on them to be convinced that it would have a detrimental effect on performance.

Other performance factors I can't comment on but a long enough cable is something you definitely want.

[stevec67]

Pig, that's just the kind of closed-mind attitude that gives these threads and audiophiles in general a bad name. How can you judge if by your own admission you've never even tried a cable that isn't long enough? Don't tell me that you've measured it, measurements are worthless. The very act of measuring changes the physics of the situation. It's clear that the only way to establish the truth is to buy a selection of cables, some of which may not be long enough, and try them. Obviously you need to live with each for a period of time to exclude testing bias.

[Mr Pig]

Originally Posted by stevec67

How can you judge if by your own admission you've never even tried a cable that isn't long enough?

I guess I could try one but I don't know if I can switch off my f****** stupidity filter for long enough to do the test.

[clifftaylor]

As Mr Micawber said in David Copperfield:

"Distance from hifi to wall socket less than length of cable, result happiness. Distance from hifi to wall socket greater than length of cable, result misery"

[avole]

interestingly and exceptionally, blind tests show that people can tell the difference between those that are long enough and those that aren't.

[clifftaylor]

Yes, but they will be able to see the gap between the hifi and the electricity supply, which will affect their judgement about the sound quality.

[Steven Toy]

Mark Grant DSP 2.5 (silver) £62.50 for a 1.7m run. You can specify any length you require and pay accordingly. Available on a 30 day sale or return basis. You simply pay the return postage.

http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/in...p1fj746u7mpbc0

I have 5 of these in my system.

Those who have subjectively heard no benefit from using after-market mains cables, this could be for the following reasons:

1) The mains quality where they are is very good and the substation is very close by.
2) There is a bigger bottleneck somewhere else in the system or how it is set up.
3) The mains cables they have tried aren't actually that good regardless of the cost.
4) Negative expectation bias.

I have experienced 2) and 3) above.

The Mark Grant leads that I use improve instrumental texture, timing and leading eadge definition quite significantly. YMMV in which case send them back within 30 days. He doesn't get many returns apart from those that are of an incorrectly specified length.

[MVV]

Originally Posted by avole

interestingly and exceptionally, blind tests show that people can tell the difference between those that are long enough and those that aren't.

Well you are wrong there! My daughter's A60's power cable is not long enough and I've had to employ an extension! Mind you we haven't done any blind tests.

[Steven Toy]

Mods, I suggest that the thread-crap posts be moved to another thread or this will become another circular debate that serves no purpose to the Opening Poster who is surely big enough and old enough not to require unsolicited intervention from the self-appointed consumer champions.

[avole]

You're not in a good mood this morning, are you, Steven? What's the harm in a little gentle humour on a cloudy Sunday?

[Gaius]

I would say with your budget OP stick with the standard Naim mains cable, they do a good job.

I have tried Belden from Audio Freindly who I like as a company but they did no favours to my power amps, I now use one as the lead to a DIY mains block on my 2nd system and the other for my plasma.

I have also tried RA which made things worse IMO and an RMS main line which I did think was quite good initially.

The only power chord I'd actually swap for is the Naim Powerline which is very good indeed but way out of budget for us both!

[whatsnext]

Originally Posted by Steven Toy

Mods, I suggest that the thread-crap posts be moved to another thread or this will become another circular debate that serves no purpose to the Opening Poster who is surely big enough and old enough not to require unsolicited intervention from the self-appointed consumer champions.

You may consider sticking to your sales threads, MGrUs and cease trying to control others, unless it is your own forum.
Thank you.

[bottleneck]

Im not going to join an audio debate on this one.

I would say, make sure whatever you buy has CE certification.

Sure, have audiophile wibbly interconnects, speaker cables etc if you want.

If you have a wife, young children in your home - they deserve to know that cables carrying a potentially lethal voltage in them are safe against drops, liquids, kinks, wear and tear etc.

[Purite Audio]

From a dealers perspective I would advise buying cables which are too short then buying another set which are too long, bears,porridge, just right etc.
Keith.

[avole]

Originally Posted by clifftaylor

Yes, but they will be able to see the gap between the hifi and the electricity supply, which will affect their judgement about the sound quality.

No, the one in which I participated set the HiFi at 3m from the socket. We weren't allowed to see the cables, and the order was random. Same track played every time. The result was nearly 100% in favour of long cables which could reach the socket.

My theory, and it possibly needs testing, is that it was the lack of electricity reaching the HiFi with the cables that came up short that affected sound quality.