Some advice on mains please

Posted by: garyi on 19 September 2001

Now I don't have to much to spend but was wondering on any potential plus points to a specialized mains block.

Right now all my kit goes into a four way plug thing, that is to say all the wores go into the special plug which can except four wires. It only a cheap thing from maplins.

Is there a better way?

The reason I ask is that the transformers a very noisey, a dedicated spur is not an option.

I have about 100 quid to throw around so any suggestions or best left?

Posted on: 19 September 2001 by Alex S.

Garyi,

Are you posting from somewhere in Amsterdam? I think you missed an 'h'.

ps the Grahams Hydra is very good.

Posted on: 19 September 2001 by garyi

Alex, I havn't really got the hang of these forum editing features, I should have checked my spelling, but I hope you guessed I meant wires and not 'bought love'

Stallion, will look into it, could you tell me what sort of gains I might expect?

Posted on: 20 September 2001 by garyi

Cheers roy, its garethirwin@mac.com

Posted on: 20 September 2001 by JRHardee

When I plugged everything into a 6-way block, I found that everything was a little brighter and tighter, like a layer of haze had been removed from between me and the music.
Adding a dedicated line did much the same thing, only more so. I didn't find the improvements to be profound, unlike some people, but they are certainly cost effective.
Don't forget that your power amp should be plugged into the outlet closest to the wire going into the wall, preamp next and sources farthest out. Surprisingly, this does make an audible improvement.

Posted on: 20 September 2001 by garyi

Thanks JR, presumbly you are on about a mains block you can but which is better built than one from a hardware store? what I currently have looks like one big plug, all the wires go in and straight into the power socket, its not a mains block, its a giant plug, hard to describe really.

Posted on: 20 September 2001 by Leigh

Garyi, I know you say that £100 is what's available for the project at the moment, but have you considered a slightly longer term plan?

After my initial scepticism regarding mains blocks and a demo, I purchased a MusicWorks 6 way block and the improvement was, to say the least, remarkable (with my Naim equipment). I think they are now retailing for a little over £200, so some more saving possibly?

Regards

Posted on: 24 September 2001 by JosephR

quote:
Originally posted by JRHardee:
When I plugged everything into a 6-way block, I found that everything was a little brighter and tighter, like a layer of haze had been removed from between me and the music.
Don't forget that your power amp should be plugged into the outlet closest to the wire going into the wall, preamp next and sources farthest out. Surprisingly, this does make an audible improvement.

What's the reason for the power amp to be first ? I have mine the other way around, Supercap first, then power amps ... Is it a significant improvement switching them the other way around ? Left 135 or right 135 first ?