power cords

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andyr

Power Cords
« Reply #60 on: 16 Jan 2003, 08:00 am »
Dejan,

You asked me to cut one of the cables in half and re-measure, just to "prove" to everybody that these meaurements are related to cable length.

Instead, I found another "commercial" PC power cable which is only 1.7m long.

Its measurements were:
L - 0.0023 mH
R - 0.245 ohm
C - 0.1665 nF.

These should be compared to the original cable's measurements:
L - 0.0031 mH
R - 0.4 ohm
C - 0.2735 nF.

The original cable is 2.8m long and the shorter cable is approximately 1.7/2.8 times the original values!!

Regards,

Andy

seppstefano

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 18
Re: Power Cords
« Reply #61 on: 16 Jan 2003, 12:44 pm »
Andy,
sorry for jumping in again. Did you listen at this shorter cable?
Did you perceive any sonical difference with the former group?

TIA,

Stefano

DVV

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 1138
Re: Power Cords
« Reply #62 on: 16 Jan 2003, 05:28 pm »
Quote from: andyr
Dejan,

You asked me to cut one of the cables in half and re-measure, just to "prove" to everybody that these meaurements are related to cable length.

Instead, I found another "commercial" PC power cable which is only 1.7m long.

Its measurements were:
L - 0.0023 mH
R - 0.245 ohm
C - 0.1665 nF.

These should be compared to the original cable's measurements:
L - 0.0031 mH
R - 0.4 ohm
C - 0.2735 nF.

The original cable is 2.8m long and the shorter cable is approximately 1.7/2.8 times the original values!!

Regards,

Andy


Thank you again, Andy, a job well done indeed.

I think your measurements show quite clearle that shorter is better, as opposed to certain other aspects of life. :P

Truth be told, my power cables are all below 1 m length - no need for them to be any longer, since they are all plugged into the DeZorel Audio Reference Senior line filter. This in turn has its standard cable 1.8 m long, close enough to what you used in the second bout. 3x2.5 mm cross section, so I expect it's rather good, since it's been rolled in oiled paper first, and then insulated by natural rubber. I'll see if I can measure its characteristics, just for the record.

Cheers,
DVV

andyr

Re: Power Cords
« Reply #63 on: 16 Jan 2003, 07:43 pm »
Quote from: seppstefano
Andy,
sorry for jumping in again. Did you listen at this shorter cable?
Did you perceive any sonical difference with the former group?

TIA,

Stefano


Stefano,

No, sorry, I did not listen to the cable ... merely did the measurement just to prove the "length theory".

However, a long time ago when I made up the three different plaited cables, I did compare them (plugged into my preamp) and did notice differences.  They all sounded better than the original, normal 'commercial' power cord but I liked the TNT-AUDIO Snake best ... but maybe I was just suffering from 'cognitive dissonance' as this cable took the longest to make!!

The trouble with doing really serious listening to power cable differences is that I really need 3 of each kind - for t/table PS (Lingo), phono stage and preamp ... so it's a bit of a PITA to make threesomes of each type.

Regards,

Andy

DVV

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 1138
Re: Power Cords
« Reply #64 on: 16 Jan 2003, 09:29 pm »
Quote from: andyr
Quote from: seppstefano
Andy,
sorry for jumping in again. Did you listen at this shorter cable?
Did you perceive any sonical difference with the former group?

TIA,

Stefano


Stefano,

No, sorry, I did not listen to the cable ... merely did the measurement just to prove the "length theory".

However, a long time ago when I made up the three different plaited cables, I did compare them (plugged into my preamp) and did notice differences.  They all sounded better than the original, normal 'commercial' power cord but I liked the TNT-AUDIO Snake best ... but maybe I was just suffering from 'cognitive dissonance' as this cable took the longest to make!!

The trouble with doing really serious listening to power cable differences is that I really need 3 of each kind - for t/table PS (Lingo), phono stage and preamp ... so it's a bit of a PITA to make threesomes of each type.

Regards,

Andy


All of which really makes you wonder about commercial audio. I mean, instead of using at least decent sized cables, to improve what they have made, they go out and use shoddy cables, further messing up their mediocre product. I can't understand the logic, despite the economic aspects of small savings on a grand series, turning the small into quite substantial.

Cheers,
DVV

seppstefano

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 18
power cords
« Reply #65 on: 17 Jan 2003, 09:52 am »
Ciao Andy and DVV,
as from your measures, I'm really tempted to shorten as much as possible all power cords feeding my components.

My guess is that by removing plugs and using screws would also improve contact and avoid losses.

What do you think about this? Is it better contact (with the help of screws) or soldering?

All the best,

Stefano

DVV

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 1138
power cords
« Reply #66 on: 17 Jan 2003, 05:52 pm »
Quote from: seppstefano
Ciao Andy and DVV,
as from your measures, I'm really tempted to shorten as much as possible all power cords feeding my components.

My guess is that by removing plugs and using screws would also improve contact and avoid losses.

What do you think about this? Is it better contact (with the help of screws) or soldering?

All the best,

Stefano


In my view, of all possible contacts, screw contacts are the worst, and solder contacts (if done properly) are the best.

Cheers,
DVV