improvements in sonic performance - SN2 amplifier

Posted by: mpw on 19 October 2018

I got myself cryo treated power cables 10 Gauge ( USA style plug ) for both the Naim SN2 and my source - the Philips CD960

I agree - the sound has improved very noticeably.

I also got a NANA Wiremold L10320 power extension cord into which i plug the CDP first and then the SN2 ( i have read about folks plugging in the amplifier first and then the source )

The Nana Wiremold L10320 came with an American style plug which i cut off and am using a 15A Indian electrical plug - from a reputed company.

Now i am contemplating :-

a. Removing the 14 Gauge power cord of the Nana Wiremold L10320 and using a local 10 gauge copper power cable

b. Hard wiring this local power cable 10 Gauge to my mains using either a soldering or wirenut

I am pretty sure - removal of 1 of the 15A plug and socket and connecting the Wiremold power cord directly to the mains will be beneficial to the sound

c. Alternately - i could get about 4 feet of cryo treated 10 Gauge copper cable from the same company and hard wire that to the mains

d. Or i could ditch the woremold and directly hardwire the SN2 cryo power cable to my mains and same with the CDP

But i am uncertain as i sense potential safety hazards...

i have read the forum and i see that a few have hard wired to the mains but there has been no discussion on this of late.

One of my close audio pals - has a nice system - has been hard wiring it here in Mumbai since many years.

I cannot afford a balanced isolation transformer and moreover i am not certain that is the way to go since the quality of power available in the day time will always be inferior to the night time.

My electrician tells me that there he used a 4 sq mm cable direct from the mains Distribution board ( with MCB ) to the back of my audio rack and on the wall - which is meant to connect my audio goodies.

I reckon 4 mm sq will mean about 11 gauge

am i being too worried ?

regards

mpw

Posted on: 19 October 2018 by Richard Dane

Please do Not hardwire anything to the mains, bypassing a plug that should be fused. The fused plug is there for a reason - to protect the flex.

Whatever you do you should first consult with a qualified electrician who fully understands the electrical code for where you are situated and can advise on safe (and legal) practice. Mains electricity can kill , so please don't take chances here.

Posted on: 19 October 2018 by mpw

Thank you Richard.

can you please tell me - what does - to protect the flex mean ?

I was hesitating to try this out and now i am backing off..

what should be the fuse rating on the mains plug of the Wiremold L10320 ? I dont see any fuse on it. Its just a fused plug USA style.

regards

Posted on: 19 October 2018 by Richard Dane

MPW, I can only relate to things as they stand in the UK, where circuits of anywhere from 15-60amps are used. Generally equipment mains lead flex and the associated fittings are only rated up to a certain amperage, hence fuses are fitted in UK plugs to protect them. The maximum is 13 amps, although certain items such as lights are fused at around 3 amps. In some other countries, electrical code limits the allowed amperage of a given circuit. This means that fused mains plugs are not needed. If you're using a US mains plugged lead then you don't want to be using it on an unsuitable circuit. If you are living in a country where electrical standards are somewhat "loose" I would very much be erring on the side of caution.

Posted on: 19 October 2018 by mpw

Standards are good Richard. .

Some ideas are not so

Regards