Mains radial cable recommendations

Hi Eagle. What mains cable are you using now? Is it Prysmian? I tried that cable and it isn’t good. The earth is a mix of metals and not any sort of quality copper. At least in the 10mm cable I had. I changed to another make and it’s much much better. 

Finkfan - thanks a lot for replying. Yes, Prysmian 10mm. I read someone recommending it somewhere. Are you allowed to say what you installed?

I tried it for the same reason. I didn’t like the sound from it at all.  When I opened it up, the earth wire was all different shades of silver and brown. Didn’t look like much if any copper in it.

I use regular T and E 10mm. Nothing ‘posh’. But a good old copper earth. I’ll check the make and let you know 

Eagle, the cable I use now is PX cable. Like I said, nothing posh. 

Right. That would be great. Thanks! I'd be ecstatic to solve the problem. It's doing my OCD no favours at all. 

(Incidentally and very off my own topic, but because I know you're a big TQ fan.. I've always sworn by my Mogami 2549 IC's, but trialled TQ Black RCA's to phono amp and TT over xmas and confess a significant improvement in detail retrieval, clarity and bass definition. They made the Mogami's sound woolly in my system. Have now bought. Shame, because at about £20/pair, the Mogami's were (are) great value. No - I don't want to spend on Diamonds, Silver series etc before you start regaling them Vinyl is only about 2% of my listening.)  

Many thanks Finkfan. When you have time, could you briefly describe the SQ difference between it and the Prysmian?

Glad to hear you’re enjoy the TQ wires. I really do find them something special. 

It was a while ago now that I had my dedicated supply installed. I remember moving my system into its new location and immediately it sounded different and not in a good way. Something wasn’t right and I couldn’t put my finger on it. It just didn’t sound as smooth as it did before. I plugged into the ring main and it sounded better. Id had 3 10mm radials installed in the wall (1 Prysmian and 2 PX) and 6mm raidial too (also PX) which Id earmarked for AV, so I tried that. It sounded better than the ring main. I swapped the Prysmian for PX and all was good again and sounded much better than the ring and 6mm. It was then I opened up the Prysmian and saw the poor earth wire. 

Excellent. Much appreciated thanks Finkfan. 

Prysmian is the largest manufacturer of cables in the world. They bought Pirelli Cables (who make the 6242y cable). Pirelli has always been regarded as the standard to aspire to in this field. I used Prysmian 6242y 10mm 10 years ago and my mains was perfectly, spotlessly and where possible, jointlessly routed from the incoming utility supply to my hifi. The difference was huge. Clean, deep open bass, sweet highs, etc... from the start. The difference took me by surprise.

Both conductors and earth are all the same copper colour on mine. Maybe you have a dud cable? If it's not a dud and is what is currently offered by Prysmian, all the other manufacturers will be the same.

Thank you, Count; noted. I'll have a look at the reel tonight. I wish I could describe the same experience!

Yes Count, maybe I had a dud cable as it’s not like the cable I replaced it with. 

I also have generic “basec” approved 10mm t+e multiple radials. They took a few weeks/months to burn in, not a hundred hours. Ive been using them for years now and they have given the sound a huge lift. The dedicated consumer and mcbs are mem memera range, and this made a significant difference from a couple of other types tried.

The most knowledgable guys in this field are MCRU (Mains Cables R Us ) in Huddersfield. Check out their website. They can provide custom lengths of most of the best cables for hi-fi house mains,  as well as sockets etc.  The guy who owns the business (sorry can’t remember his name) is extremely knowledgable when it comes to choosing the appropriate type of cable 

Yes David at MCRU is very helpful. 

Thanks for the input Mr Happy. I'm using Hager. Couldn't tell any difference in sound between it and MK. Couldn't find appropriate domestic Memera - they changed owners and products I think.

Blackmore - thanks for that. It was your original post that got me thinking. I was in touch with David at MCRU earlier today and am hopeful his vast experience will sort things out.

I have rewired a few houses over the last few years, mostly using Prysmian cable, and I certainly haven’t ever seen any with an earth conductor that appears to be different to the others. 

eagle3333 posted:

Thanks for the input Mr Happy. I'm using Hager. Couldn't tell any difference in sound between it and MK. Couldn't find appropriate domestic Memera - they changed owners and products I think.

Blackmore - thanks for that. It was your original post that got me thinking. I was in touch with David at MCRU earlier today and am hopeful his vast experience will sort things out.

   

Hager was one that I tried. The memera was significantly better. I believe the mcbs and rcd are now rebranded as eaton. Last time I looked the memera ad range were available used from ebay. Your electrician can test the correct function of the rcd (tripping times). 

Also, don’t dismiss “burn in” as it really can make a huge difference giving the installation a few weeks to settle.

Yep, I wasn't confident in buying used electrical bits and I couldn't find Eaton to the spec I wanted. It's been a few months now and I'd guesstimate about 150hrs playing with little or no discernible difference. I guess I could have the sparks put the Hager mcb on the hifi circuit that's in the house ring CSU and see if it negatively impacts sound. If not, at least it eliminates the mcb. 

I run a 6mm2 spur direct from the mains input board- initially to little effect. The 'lightbulb' moment arrived after installing a dedicated earth spike...

Eagle3333, 

Is your system left plugged into the upgraded mains and switched on 24/7 ? If it is, and has been for a few months then the problem is almost certainly not burn in related.

I would try eaton/mem mcbs. I noticed a substantial change in the sound even from cold when I installed my 10mm radials. The first thing that I immediately noticed was the immensely deeper more powerful bass. This seems at odds with your “tinny” sound. Have you checked the tightness of all your connections? Are you based in the UK?

Tried the dedicated earth spike, Frostjones. It did seem to make a nominal difference but definitely not 'lightbulb'. 

I don't leave the kit turned on because the amp draws 200 watts at idle. But I reckon I've put 150 hours on it. I'll try leaving the other components on my hydra turned on for a few days & may have another look at eaton/mem. Yep, UK-based and all connections tight, thanks Mr H.

The earth spike is dedicated to my 'Hifi socket'. If it is used in conjunction with the mains earth, there is potential for a ground loop which would be detrimental. 

Yep, my earth spike was dedicated, too and installed and approved by my sparks. 

At 150 hours use the major part of the problem could well be burn in then. The circuits seem to burn in with kit on standby, so maybe try plugging in other electrical items that draw a small current constantly for a few weeks to help burn in. 

Also you mention a hydra. Do you have multiple 10mm circuits or just one connected to a hydra? I personally found that a hydra zapped the life out of my system. Try plugging each item of hifi into its own individual socket, if you haven’t already, and see if it makes a difference.

Ok, I give up!  The spur/earth spike was probably the largest jump in SQ i have experienced in my naim journey.

Maybe your house mains were/are pretty good to start with?