Power wedges

Posted by: jonni on 31 October 2002

Hello there Boy’s here's a bit of a tweak that's been pushing my system into overdrive these past few months.
"Oh no not another tweak, miniscule difference just a different shade of pink"
Well you’ll have to try it and see.
Lets get to the point.
Power cables. Specifically their connection the component. Power cables come in all the colours of the rainbow , with prices to match. And of course a good one can do wonders for your system. But most people have never heard the real improvement their power cord can make or even the potential of their standard one. Why?
Well get behind your rack add have a good shake around. Grab hold of those power cords and wiggle them.
Don't you notice something?
Well if your system is anything like mine most of them will be quite lose. The IEC socket just doesn’t have a good tight fit into the socket at the back of the component.
In fact in my system of CD player , Pre Amp ,Power amp , phono stage only the power amps cord had anything like a tight fit , and even that was to benefit from what I was about to do.
So we all know that loose connections are bad ,very bad for you hifi.
What to do?
Simple. Cut a small rectangle piece of card or paper fold it over once or twice and make into a V shape.
This is going to be your “power wedge”. The size and how many folds will depend on how loose your
IEC socket is.
Turn all the power off to the system (we want to be safe here) now one at a time remove each power cord from its socket and return but at the same time slide the wedge under the IEC connector (Very important that its under as it gives a tighter fit)and between it and the socket making sure is does not get pushed between the actual connecting pins but making sure it wedges the connector to the socket .
If you have got the right size wedge and got it in the right place when you now wiggle the cord it will not budge. Perfect a tight fit .Now do all the other cords and switch the power back on.
When you have done this and return to your familiar discs I defy you not to utter expletives.
You will wonder why no one makes a chord with a tight fitting socket as even a standard chord can out performs an audiophile one without a good fit.
Say “goodbye grain” ,hello “crispness and dynamics.”

Ps. Please don't blow yourselves up as this impairs sound quality a little.
Posted on: 01 November 2002 by TommyT
Shame these connectors don't have screw pins as standard to ensure a decent fit (as per some PC connections).
Posted on: 01 November 2002 by Craig B
for a moment there I thought that this thread was about pulling someone's underwear up over their head.

Ho hum.
Posted on: 02 November 2002 by Martin Payne
Jonni,

the mains sockets are designed to be loose. This stops air-borne vibration from being transferred into the cases via the mains leads.

The particular leads & sockets are designed to make good metal-to-metal contact where it matters, but for the rubber/plastic to make little or no contact.

In fact, this may be where the Naim leads get their superiority over the aftermarket alternatives.

cheers, Martin

BTW, there is sometimes a major effect to be had just with unplugging and re-plugging the plugs, as this cleans the metal contacts.

Re-plug the leads without the wedges & see if you still have the improvement.
Posted on: 03 November 2002 by jonni
Yes there still an improvment.I have changed equipment and moved things round many times in the past , and sometimes can't be bothered or have forgotten to insert the wedges,(which are still slightly compliant by the way)each time the sound is grianier and less dynamic.

Air born vibration is not a major issue in this case.

If your cable hangs slack from the back of your equipment the frequencies are far too low , only if you cable was pulled taunt between the wall and the equipment like a washing line could it have a big effect.
The sockets are probably loose in case you trip on a lead and pull the cable which will bring your equipment crashing to the floor with it.
Air born vibration in this case is nothing compared to a wobbly conection.
Your plugs at the wall sockets are tight yes, speaker connections yes,interconnect cable yes,wire inside amps yes.
If fact all connections need a tight fit and should not be wobbly.In fact the vibration from your equipment which is mechanicaly conected to the mains cable is far more devestating , and if the connection isn't tight will case small movment of the conectors which is not a good thing.Remmeber if the connector can wobbly easilly it is hardly in contact with the pins, as there will be little clapming pressure, and also the weight of the cable is trying to pull the cable down and off the socket.
This has nothing to do with cleaning pins , I know all about that, my connections are clean regularly anyway.

Try it and see,(the effect may not be the same on all equipmen) then say if it doesn't work.
Posted on: 03 November 2002 by Martin Payne
quote:
Originally posted by jonni:
If fact all connections need a tight fit and should not be wobbly.



Jonni,

we'll have to disagree on this - my system sounds better with the locking rings undone on the SNAICs & interconnects.

cheers, Martin
Posted on: 03 November 2002 by jonni
In what way, and compared to what.
Without those things "better" means nothing.
Also remmeber when you change one thing you may have to alter another to retain tonal balance , mostly speaker postions need to be changed.
I,e you could change something and get a deeper but slower bass and conclude that it was a bad move , but forget that your speakers are postioned to balance for the weaker bass before had.
In order to see if there is a real improvment you usually need to move your speakers to check.

Are the locking rings metal?this may be the source of the improvment , as there may be a field around the conector.
Posted on: 03 November 2002 by Martin Payne
quote:
Originally posted by jonni:
Also remmeber when you change one thing you may have to alter another to retain tonal balance



Jonni,

the change didn't appear to be tonal - more depth & musicality.

Also, your comment seems to assume that my system was completely optimal before the change. That may not be a valid assumption.


Cliff,

that's a fair comment, I will re-try the change. I've moved my speakers since making the tweak, and it would be reasonable to re-evaluate the change.

It's worth saying, though, that I was most careful when loosening the collars not to disturb anything. I have picked up an impression that Base is quite susceptible to changes through cable dressing, so I'm always on the lookout for any such effect.

cheers, Martin