Looking for the right power cable

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WGH

Re: Looking for the right power cable
« Reply #40 on: 15 Jan 2025, 02:04 pm »
Makes sense.  I was referring to where you said, "The pre-assembled Viborg 1501 power cable has the shield connected at the wall plug, I checked".

I forgot to write that I also took apart the plugs at both ends, I was curious how they were made along with connection integrity. The quality is excellent and I wouldn't hesitate to buy again.

twitch54

Re: Looking for the right power cable
« Reply #41 on: 15 Jan 2025, 03:44 pm »
OP -- I spent a couple of decades constantly trading out power cords, so you may have a long road ahead. It won't be long until you cross the $1K threshold to pay for a silly power cord. You'll convince yourself it sounds better (and it probably does, until it doesn't...). A quick story -- I bought a $1K plus power cord for my power conditioner, and it sounded fantastic. It had the uber-expensive Furutech pixie dust on the connectors. Recently, I sold it and replaced it with a DIY cable and it sounded too bright. I replaced the DIY cable with the stock cable that came with the power conditioner, and the magic in my music reappeared. That's the problem -- any change you make in your system can alter the sound in other areas, and you'll spin in the upgrade vortex forever. 

My advice -- build a few more of those custom cables that you like, use a variety of connector brands, and move on with your life.   

I had a good chuckle with this thread / post. Wow, people 'listening to cables', 'EarlyB' has it correct, too much time and $$ wasted on 'wire', much better spent on MUSIC, again, IMO.........
   

rollo

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Re: Looking for the right power cable
« Reply #42 on: 15 Jan 2025, 04:56 pm »
  A system requires full attention to everything. Cables included. There are differences to be had. Now being obsessive about it is not a god thing. Just try and learn which cable best suits ones gear. Does not have to be expensive, just the right fit.

charles

toocool4

Re: Looking for the right power cable
« Reply #43 on: 15 Jan 2025, 10:23 pm »
I had a good chuckle with this thread / post. Wow, people 'listening to cables', 'EarlyB' has it correct, too much time and $$ wasted on 'wire', much better spent on MUSIC, again, IMO.........
 

 :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

Alfi

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Re: Looking for the right power cable
« Reply #44 on: 15 Jan 2025, 11:12 pm »
NORTH4,
What is the raw cable for the "Sonic Craft - Custom Cable" ?

Regards

Jeff

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Re: Looking for the right power cable
« Reply #45 on: 16 Jan 2025, 02:07 am »
It's best to only connect the shield at the audio component end.
That way it acts as an extension of the metal chassis's shield.
If connected at both ends, it becomes part of the Safety Ground/Protective Earth circuit and carries the same leakage current & noise as the S.G./P.E.
Connected only at the wall end, it doesn't accomplish much.

Connecting it at the IEC does not make it an extension of the chassis.  However, it does connect it further away from the drain.  In theory, it could add more potential, or complicate the RFI/EMI on the case.  But, this is DIY, so you are free to do as one wishes.  Whatever ones convention or rational, far more in the industry connect at the plug, and are blind at the IEC.

I had a good chuckle with this thread / post. Wow, people 'listening to cables', 'EarlyB' has it correct, too much time and $$ wasted on 'wire', much better spent on MUSIC, again, IMO.........

A joke indeed :icon_lol:

NORTH4, What is the raw cable for the "Sonic Craft - Custom Cable" ?

The custom cable is made with 6 runs of 11ga wire. Each run is cross field wound and spread spectrum stranded. The Litz design requires every strand to be insulated. The 6/9s purity Copper is jacketed in pure PTFE. Bundled with Teflon tape, and jacketed in a Black soft and flexible textile weave. This cable can be configured 3x8ga or 2x6ga.

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NORTH4

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Re: Looking for the right power cable
« Reply #46 on: 16 Jan 2025, 04:25 am »
I have another friend sending interconnects to me so I'd like to leave things as they are for PC.  Paul is a very nice guy and, so far, I really like his cables.  I have a pair of his Level 4.2 speaker cables that I like, so I tried the power cables.  He has a generous return policy.

The interconnects being sent to me have silver/gold wire... and now I am wandering around looking at stuff like this: https://www.soniccraft.com/product_info.php/mundorf-sgw110wh-p-4895

Your right, he does. I was just thinking i could put off 3 weeks of burn in, and would not be rushed. You would also be able to just drop one in and pull it out. Since they are burned in i figured you would be able to put it in and pull it out with ease a couple of times with minimal effort. No rush.

jmimac351

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Re: Looking for the right power cable
« Reply #47 on: 16 Jan 2025, 04:38 am »

A joke indeed :icon_lol:

The custom cable is made with 6 runs of 11ga wire. Each run is cross field wound and spread spectrum stranded. The Litz design requires every strand to be insulated. The 6/9s purity Copper is jacketed in pure PTFE. Bundled with Teflon tape, and jacketed in a Black soft and flexible textile weave. This cable can be configured 3x8ga or 2x6ga.

I bet that's a great cable... ends up same gauge as what I am using.  Thank you for showing the cross section of the cable.  Is there a "custom interconnect" as well that incorporates the tubes? 

Over the past year I've put together some pretty good gear, along with some great speakers Danny worked on.  The gear is all Ayre Acoustics R series and I have the Wilson Duette speakers Danny fixed.  I purposely just used "good copper wire"... Mogami 2549.  Running the speakers with Danny's 16 gauge solid core.  Sounded great!

And then... a month or so ago someone gifted me a pair of Cardas Clear Sky interconnects.  I put them between Ayre QX-5 Twenty and KX-R Twenty preamp and it was like flipping a switch.  Spectacular texture, tone, dynamics... JUICE. 

I am on the hunt for wire.  Those that think it doesn't make a difference are lucky, I guess.

walkern

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Re: Looking for the right power cable
« Reply #48 on: 16 Jan 2025, 02:39 pm »
Could you please share where you got the Sonic Craft bulk cable?  I've been tinkering with DIY power cables and would love to give it a try.

Thanks

mjosef

Re: Looking for the right power cable
« Reply #49 on: 17 Jan 2025, 02:02 am »
Interesting. I followed specified orientation. Are your saying cables that do not specify a preferred orientation should be tried in both directions?

Without experimentation, you are relying on faith when DIYing, case in point...During a cable tour, here on Audiocircle, the IC sent specified a direction but my listening test revealed a more open and bigger soundstage with the cable in the opposite direction to the maker's. When buying raw cable to DIY, are you following the cable manufacturer recommendations? Or the dealer?
Try it for yourself, make up an IC and listen both ways. An IC is easier since you can just reverse it unlike a power cord which requires switching around the connectors. Exception would be if said cable has a floating shield.


jmimac351

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Re: Looking for the right power cable
« Reply #50 on: 17 Jan 2025, 02:34 am »
An IC is easier since you can just reverse it unlike a power cord which requires switching around the connectors. Exception would be if said cable has a floating shield.

My XLR cables fight me on that.  :green:

mjosef

Re: Looking for the right power cable
« Reply #51 on: 17 Jan 2025, 02:37 am »
another exception...bravo.

NORTH4

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Re: Looking for the right power cable
« Reply #52 on: 17 Jan 2025, 05:24 am »
Try it for yourself, make up an IC and listen both ways. An IC is easier since you can just reverse it unlike a power cord which requires switching around the connectors.

Im only working on power cables at the moment, and following the manufacturers direction when specified.

NORTH4

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Re: Looking for the right power cable
« Reply #53 on: 17 Jan 2025, 05:29 am »
Could you please share where you got the Sonic Craft bulk cable?

I purchased mine from Sonic Craft. Send Jeff an email about them.

walkern

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Re: Looking for the right power cable
« Reply #54 on: 18 Jan 2025, 07:44 pm »
Thanks!  Will do.