Mains radial cable recommendations

Hmm my unswitched double on radial is MK Logic Plus from Electrical Direct. Actually, now remember the switched double socket on sweet-sounding main ring was supplied by my sparks. I'll ask him what it is. P'raps we'll try another one of those as it doesn't seem to be doing anything overtly negative by comparison.

(I also tried a loose, surface run of 6mm sq to an unmounted, unswitched single MK socket (not Logic Plus) as a super-fast test to see if the problem was the radial's cable run or 10mm sq diameter; but same result.) 

I'm sure many would read all this and think we've lost the plot. But my sparks, who started out that way, is now a convert.

I can recommend Ansuz cables and power distribution blocks. A significant upgrade of any system.

Thanks Bert. I'm committed to some Furutech now and that will be my last cable-try. I'm also getting a metre of it made up as a power lead for the amp. If I didn't have such OCD over wanting to leave no stone unturned before giving up, I'd just leave it because the house ring sounds fab' and more so since I added a new AQ Coffee USB cable.

Checked and both sockets are MK. The radial's unswitched Logic Plus from Electrical Direct is designated K781; the ring's switched one from Screwfix does not say 'Logic' and is designated K2747 WHI. I can't tell from the spec sheet and I'm not about to go delving into them. I'll get another blisteringly expensive (£3.89) switched variant and try it anyway.

I now have some very blue, very expensive Furutech wire for the mains, used Memera RCD and MCB (will be tested) and a double un-switched socket with gold plated stuff in it. I think I've gone quite mad. The sparks is fitting it all Friday morning; one thing at a time to see if we can isolate the problem component. If this doesn't work I'll get counselling and move on.  I'll report back after some burn-in unless there's an instant change for the better.

Good luck. I'm intrigued to see if you can find out what the cause is.

Thanks Geko. I can't say I'm particularly optimistic at this point; but doing everything I can is the only way I can get closure! If I do sort it, though, hopefully the reason will be of use to others out there and save them this journey.

My money is on the memera rcd/mcb. In my system this was the final item that was changed, and gave a real lift to the sound. Im interested to hear your thoughts on the furutech mains cable as this is something I haven’t tried. Hopefully by the end of tomorrow you will be sorted.

Update :

My Furutech cable order for FP-3TS20 included an extra 1m to be made into power lead for amp. Arr yesterday and immediately SQ (on ring) became even airier and players/instruments more  thrown out into room. Wonderful presence and could happily live with this. Effect on radial - reduced thin/edge a little but gap between it and the ring with this lead remains similar. Anyway for £180 (normally plus build charge) beautifully crafted together by MCRU with excellent connectors, this was a great investment which had more impact than a thing costing 4 figures which a dealer brought with him a few months back. Truly.

Anyway, sparks installed everything on the radial this morning, one at a time. (Reminder - current radial SQ lacks air, warmth, smoothness, bass compared to main ring)

1) Memera breakers - no discernible effect at all 

2) Twin, unswitched, gold plated socket - sound became a just little smoother

3) Furutech cable replacing Prysmian straight into dedicated CSU - much smoother again; warmer yet (higher frequency) instruments a little better defined; still not as airy as on ring but perhaps with burn in?

4) Furutech cable replacing Prysmian into balanced power supply; but 1m Prysmian from BPS into CSU (ran out of Furutech) - not as thin/edgy as the all-Prysmian; tight, accurate with instruments in high frequency range better revealed without any of previous tendency towards 'harsh'. Clear improvement, yet still not as airy/smooth/palpable as on the ring or, possibly, when bypassing BPS. Still less bass but somehow in less of a negative way. Needs more listen time to be sure.

Socket and cable have definitely made a positive difference. Now I'll get another 1m of Furutech to put between BPS and CSU, put 100hrs on the radial and evaluate with BPS in and out. Connecting without the BPS seemed closer to that relaxing, airy, gorgeous sound on the main. We'll see where it is with 100hrs on it, when on the BPS. 

I suspect, now, that many may listen to the radial and judge SQ faster, more revealing, more veil-away etc. than the ring and judge latter too warm and not quite as revealing. The radial is no longer 'obviously' less pleasant to listen to. 3) suggests if I removed the BPS, I might be in the perfect place. But, having got the thing, I want to be sure that, after some cable burn-in, it's either adding or subtracting to SQ before I ditch it. 

I do ask myself 'if you're so happy with the ring sound why are you spending all this effort on the radial?' Because latter is meant to be better, isn't it?! The conclusion I'm getting a whiff of is that it might indeed be better but that 'better' is subjective and, in my context, now, simply a matter of taste. Which will perfectly support the one unarguable point about hifi, art, wine etc etc - one man's heaven is another man's hell and neither is wrong.   

Great detailed update Eagle

Has the sparky tried a 2.5mm ring for your dedicated supply? 

Fink - nope. Most of the guidance recommends a radial rather than a ring. Less work and materials too. But, I confess, it is a point of difference that never registered. I wonder. I think I wish you hadn't said that.

Would a ring really generate a different sound to a radial? 

Sorry Eagle

%£$@*9!

Sparks is coming back tonight for his cash; wonder if he'd rig up a quick ring without attaching it to my head?!

Unfortunately I also remember, from previous threads, that some forum members do prefer the effect of a ring to a radial, so it looks like there will be a sonic difference.

Er, surely a 'radial' is a 'ring'- a single cable is a 'spur' unless i am mistaken 

I believe you may be mistaken As I understand it, a radial is a single cable running from CSU to socket. A spur is a single cable off a ring.

Frostjones posted:

Er, surely a 'radial' is a 'ring'- a single cable is a 'spur' unless i am mistaken 

Radials are not the same as rings! They are commonly referred to as spurs, which seems to upset some people, who feel that a spur is a radial on a ring.

eagle3333 posted:

I believe you may be mistaken As I understand it, a radial is a single cable running from CSU to socket. A spur is a single cable off a ring.

Correct Eagle

It should be easy enough for the sparks to through a ring in, especially as you only have one socket. 

..but I can turn my radial into a ring by running the cable from dedicated CSU to socket and back to CSU.. Someone will doubtless shoot me if I'm wrong.

Disclaimer (for Richard) none of my wiring remarks should be used as any basis for any wiring by others, which should only be carried out by a certified pro'; or in my case a, now, certifiable pro'.

Yes Fink, I'm going to lock the door as soon as he steps in and force him to whack some 2.5mm in and do a quick test..

Yes you can. It may be that 2 x 2.5mm is your sweet spot. Another interesting experiment 

Yup