Mains Socket Upgrade

People spend a lot of money on mains cables and Wattgates IEC sockets.
But what these are plugged into is a cheap and cheerful socket fitted as standard; clearly a weak link in the chain.

Has anyone fitted or considered one of these?
Metal Shielded Chassis Mounting Socket RS Part no. 279-8658

Anything else that is of similar quality as the Wattgates?

 

I've just bought a couple of these, but have yet to try them.

Don't forget to pay some attention to the other mains plugs, the three pin will be seriously enhanced by polishing the fuse down to the copper end caps, and the pins need cleaning and polishing. I also square up the edges as this seems tobe the area of current transfere. I have a couple of nice pics of a before and after versions of the same plug. I'll endevour to get them to a size to post or re photo !

 

Here is a photo of my cleaned three pin and fuse, with a brand new one straight out the box in comparison.

 

There's shiny innit lwk ewe... :sheep:

regards

 

After spending all that time and effort to make them look so pretty and shiny, shame it has to disappear into a socket and not put on display on the shelf.

 

I could even tell those apart blind. One has the fuse in, and is rotated 90° t'other

'But what these are plugged into is a cheap and cheerful socket fitted as standard; clearly a weak link in the chain.'

It ain't clear to me

 

It's the quality of the connection I feel is important , even cheap sockets will benifit from a little TLC.

Just made up a rather nice mains cable using one of these shiney plugs, though its still breaking in its sounding rather good. Clearer imaging, more dynamic easier to follow backing instraments and vocals.

The cable is a bit of a beast though 20amp, double copper braid shield, dull grey jacket, the triplebraid makes it about 30mm dia. I'll see if I can post an image [having problems with image sizerat the moment].

 

I have already seen pics of the BMCP (Bleeding/Big Monster Carpet Python) Zanash just made.

 

Micromark Multi-Way Mains Plug.
Maplin, order code VD02C, £6.99p



Have a read at http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/hydra_e.html

".... instead of a length of cable and then a complex terminal and track system in a gang socket, here we have a direct connection to the three mains pins for the four sets of earth, live and neutral leads."

"..each set of cables is attached is a substantial "buzz bar" so no skimpy tracks, and because each component is connected within one centimetre of the next you get the nearest thing to perfect star earthing ...."

Plug couple of these straight in to a double wall socket without LEDs or switches. Use a metal butress for additional protection from RFI/EMI. Better than any fancy looking and extortionately priced 'mains blocks' from Russ Andrews and the like.

 

Have you guys got a copper fetish??

 

Our quest is against the dark forces of RFI and EMI.
We shall be TRIUMPHANT
:force:

 

I've used one of those multi input things in the past, but for myself they are too restricting. I'm always moving the test kit about, fiddling and moding so to have them fixed together, and be down behind my racks would be worse than the current position. I have found them to be reasonably good though. The BCP is now from the wall to distribution block, so the whole system benefits. I have to say I'm really pleased with, it so far. I'll try to put a pic of it up on this forum.

 

Here is an IEC socket that will partner well with a good mains cable and IEC socket


Furutech FI 10 AC inlet Rhodium
Audio grade non-magnetic socket with earth connection Gold or Rhodium plated contact surfaces and Teflon insulation.
These inlets require no soldering.
All metal parts are non-magnetic and made from bronze.
Contact surfaces are 24K Gold plated or Rhodium plated.

Don't know a UK supplier though

 

Stuart at http://www.audioatmosphere.com

 

Instead of cleaning my plugs, I use silver plated MK ToughPlugs treated with ProGold.

 

V
V
V

 

Thanks Penance for the link.

'audioatmosphere.com' price £15; Canadian supplier price less than £5
And I thought mark ups by Russ Andrews were the worst!

I have heard that Deoxit and Progold are good stuff though expensive. Might keep corrosion at bay after spending time to polish up the bits.

 

The silver plated plug has in effect been cleaned for you ! You will still need to do the fuse . For those who can't afford the Deoxit or progold, there are commercial contact enhancers about , check RS. I've even heard a thin coating of mineral oil will work, though not tried that myself.

 

I agree. ProGold and De-Oxit are pretty expensive. I didn't fancy spending a great deal so before buying these I used:

Servisol SUPER 10

http://servisol.co.uk/data/SS10_data.htm

which is available at Maplin. It's a good cleaner/lubricant without any mess which ones like WD40 may leave, however I didn't really notice any improvement of sound.

The ones made by Caig above, made a definite improvement. Expensive but worth the outlay in my opinion. See the reviews on www.caig.com and there's also details of the UK distributor from where you can buy from at a slightly lower price.