DIY mains leads - some success

Discussion in 'DIY Discussion' started by cylinvan, Nov 9, 2006.

  1. cylinvan

    cylinvan

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    A few of weeks ago I made some DIY screened leads out of some ex computer cable I had. The effect was quite supprising - a cleaner clearer crisper sound, extended bass and treble.
    Magic I thought.
    But after extended listening I decided that the sound was too hard, metalic, not musical enough, especially with female vocals and the higher frequencies. So I stopped and went back to a cheepo lead for the CD player. That was the one lead that had the most effect.
    Then a week or so ago I came across some 2.5mm BICC non shielded 3 core cable. So I made one lead up. There it was again - the cleaner, clearer sound, extended highs and lows but without the hardeness, much more musical. Now I'm happy.
    I have not had the opportunity to test against a commercial lead (will do this weekend - NAIM / Heybrook set up), so I can't judge against that.
    But for about £5 the difference is quite remarkable.
    Is this because the current can flow easier through 2.5mm cable? Seems unlikely with the CYREX only drawing 12watts.
    Or is it because I soldered every joint including the fuse?
    The plugs were not special, just the best ones I could but locally from an electrical dealer.
    Any thoughts?
    I will make up a second lead for the amp and let you know how that works.
     
    cylinvan, Nov 9, 2006
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  2. cylinvan

    zanash

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    Was the screen on the original power cable steel ?

    I think theres more to it than just csa....

    having had theopertunity to pay with various length of the same mains cable if I use short length 0.5m -1.5m I invariably get poorer result than with 2m +. my conclusion is that the cable is acting a little like a filter ...but I don't know why !

    Eupen used to also recomend a minimum of 2m for there ferrite goo cable.
     
    zanash, Nov 9, 2006
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  3. cylinvan

    cylinvan

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    I have just tried the screen with a magnet and yes it probably is steel. Hum.
    The new lead I made up is about .7mtr long. This is mainly because of the positioning of the equipment low down and right next to the wall sockets, makes it difficult to store a long lead with out coiling it. I'm not sure that's a good idea.
    I'm still not sure why there is this marked difference between the two though.
     
    cylinvan, Nov 9, 2006
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  4. cylinvan

    zanash

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    Not say this ia problem ...but I've always considered the steel as armour rather than a emi/rfi shield. The best is double shielded [in copper] but try looking at cy cable rather than the sy.
     
    zanash, Nov 10, 2006
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  5. cylinvan

    ListeningEar

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    When are you going to send me an evaluation mains cable Zanash? hehe
     
    ListeningEar, Dec 2, 2006
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  6. cylinvan

    JANDL100

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    Don't forget that you must use cable rated for mains voltage and current - all else is a genuine fire hazard.

    There are safety regs about mains cabling for just this reason !
     
    JANDL100, Dec 2, 2006
    #6
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