Power Cables

Discussion in 'General Audio Discussion' started by cskippy, Mar 18, 2016.

  1. SSL

    SSL Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,239
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Well, not at all.
     
  2. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,506
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Toronto, ON, Canada
    Speaking of true believers: 11k Verdersteen speakers, crazy expensive monoblocks, probably thousand $ power cables plugged into $5.99 receptacle, most likely wired with 6c a foot romex. And a bowl of rocks, I am sure collected by Neil Armstrong from the surface of the moon and blessed by Dalai Lama, to stop the demons of "dirty power" from invading the audio system. I want all of it.
    [​IMG]
     
  3. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2018
    Likes Received:
    10,517
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Palms Of The Coasts, FL
    I need to vent about something....

    Why the f**k people have to make really thick/hard as a dick to bend power cables? It makes fitting those cables hard in the back. I pulled out my Pangea Audio Power Cables because they are hard at times to bend them the way I want. I hurt myself once pulling out a Tributaries Power Cable from my rack.

    Kind of want me to go back to the crappy "included in the box" cables. If there's a power cable that's on the cheaper side and easy to bend, sign me the f**k up.
     
  4. Johnston98

    Johnston98 Facebook Friend

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2019
    Likes Received:
    145
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    Michigan
    Agree.

    The Pangea AC-9 is stupid big. I had to rig up a sling using a twist tie connected to the faceplate screw to keep it from unplugging itself. Ended up getting rid of it for reasons you listed. Never noticed a sonic difference between that and the slightly more manageable AC14SE. It was impressive looking though.
     
  5. Baten

    Baten Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,130
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    EU
    Exact same experience with Pangea. I now don't bother with "Audiophile" cables,
    I do like the bottlehead DIY one though, for the mere fact that you know what's inside it.
     
  6. bixby

    bixby Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,987
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Northern Colorado
    Diy home depot 14 gauge with your choice of connectors or made in mexico (if you can find)14 guage shielded Volex for about $12. Have not tried the China Volex ones but read they are not as good.
     
  7. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,463
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Winnipeg
    I made these monstrosities a couple years ago...
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    It took forever to do the sleeving and braiding, but so nice and super flexible. The top one is an 8-strand opposing dual square braid. The bottom one is a six strand round braid. Connectors are Furutech, whatever the former flagship was before they upped it.
     
  8. Priidik

    Priidik MOT: Estelon

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,153
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Estonia
    Technically, you'd want the pro equipment rubber cable HO07RN-F with adequate cross section.
    Flexible, durable and as thick as you need.
     
  9. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2018
    Likes Received:
    10,517
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Palms Of The Coasts, FL
    What happens if you can't build cables worth of crap?
     
  10. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,463
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Winnipeg
    Most of the connectors for power are a clamp/screw type. It's not very difficult to make your own if you know how to use a screwdriver.
     
  11. bixby

    bixby Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,987
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Northern Colorado
    duh, ya buy one
     
  12. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,506
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Toronto, ON, Canada
    I think DIY is the best option.
    I do not believe in good sounding power cables cables, but I certainly experienced crappy power cables that introduced hum and distortion. There are two ways to go: start buying expensive power cables or DIY.
    Buy a small roll of Belden Shielded E3462, some IEC connectors and power plugs from a reputable manufacturer, like Schurter for example. Each time you need a power cable just cut a piece and tighten up six to ten screws, it cannot go wrong.
    Even a long cable will not cost you more than $25 and you know what's in it.
     
  13. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2016
    Likes Received:
    10,688
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    NOVA
    Home Page:
    If you want a relatively flexible cord: Belden 19364

    If you're okay with something a little stiffer, but with better shielding, insulation material, and heavier gauge: Belden 83803

    If you think most of this stuff is stupid, but want something durable and well made: Monoprice Hospital Grade
     
  14. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2015
    Likes Received:
    385
    Trophy Points:
    63

    Do you hear any differences between the 8 braid & 4 braid wire cables?
     
  15. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,463
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Winnipeg
    Not particularly. I just paid attention to geometry to minimize whatever electromagnetic voodoo there could be. I used the 8-braid for amps simply for the higher effective gauge.
     
  16. data.noodle

    data.noodle Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2018
    Likes Received:
    48
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    NYC
    the oyaide ofc power cables are pretty flexible, the furutech power cables however are the exact opposite and a pain to work with but are still my favorite.
     
  17. Poleepkwa

    Poleepkwa Friend

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,557
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Finland
    The Supra Lorad cables are pretty flexable and do not cost a fortune.
    I cannot say that I have noticed any difference between it and normal cables. It does seem to emit a lot less EMI than the stock cables and since I am running them pretty close to my speaker wires, I thought it does not hurt.
     
  18. Johnston98

    Johnston98 Facebook Friend

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2019
    Likes Received:
    145
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    Michigan
    $4.88 a foot. Not bad. Throw a couple nice connectors and shrink wrap on the end and you’ll have a nice cable. At least as good looking as this:

    [​IMG]

    (Image credit to Nordost website. Purveyors of sonic purity for the masses)
     
  19. bixby

    bixby Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,987
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Northern Colorado
    I am posting to knock the stupid spam post off of the last post for this category. also, I use Supra Lorad on my diy cables. Nice stuff.
     
  20. Johnston98

    Johnston98 Facebook Friend

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2019
    Likes Received:
    145
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    Michigan
    Sarcasm. Not spam. Attempt at humor at expense of over priced power cables.

    I’d actually consider going this route.
     

Share This Page