ANother Power Cable thread...?
polrbehr
Posts: 2,830
Nah, this one is more or less a review of a test I decided to try, and really had nothing to do with blind A/B testing, sound quality, or the like... so ->
I have a voltage detector (a Home D special, nothing major, just getting that out of the way) that can sense
voltage in wires without making contact with the actual connection. Useful for testing wires without opening a panel cover
or box to determine if the line is hot. It emits a tone and a light pops on if there's any voltage. OK so far?
After I bought a few new PCs, and since I own several different PCs from several mfrs., I decided to see if I could detect voltage through the outer jackets and see how well shielded they were.
I did a control with a regular 18ga extension cord, cut to 5' in length and fitted with a Furutech-type grounding male plug, and an IEC connector, basically the same as the power cords I have, and plugged it into a standard wall outlet. Well, needless to say, just getting near the outer jacket made the detector chirp. Same result when the tip of the detector touched the inside of the IECs
3 receptacles (hot, neutral, ground).
Next up was a home-built PC I had made awhile back. Similar results, maybe had to get closer to the jacket to make the tester
go off. Similar results with a Signal Digital Reference, as well as a Xindak Digital PC; but their jackets are much thinner, and so seem to allow the detector to go off louder.
After that I tried a Signal Cable Magic Power, which fared a little better around the jacket, audible chirp but noticeably quieter, but still allowed the chirping when all three contacts on the IEC were touched. But, it did have a lot more resistance around the outer jacket nevertheless. But the real eye-opener came with a Pangea AC-9. DEAD solid quiet, no matter where on the jacket the tip of the detector touched. In fact, even the IECs are so well shielded that touching either the neutral or ground connection directly produced no sounds at all. Given the sheer mass and diameter of the cable itself, as well as the thickness on both plug ends, I have to assume that these Pangeas are extremely well shielded cables.
I was not sure, but this simple test sure makes me believe that there are differences in cables... as always, YMMV.
I have a voltage detector (a Home D special, nothing major, just getting that out of the way) that can sense
voltage in wires without making contact with the actual connection. Useful for testing wires without opening a panel cover
or box to determine if the line is hot. It emits a tone and a light pops on if there's any voltage. OK so far?
After I bought a few new PCs, and since I own several different PCs from several mfrs., I decided to see if I could detect voltage through the outer jackets and see how well shielded they were.
I did a control with a regular 18ga extension cord, cut to 5' in length and fitted with a Furutech-type grounding male plug, and an IEC connector, basically the same as the power cords I have, and plugged it into a standard wall outlet. Well, needless to say, just getting near the outer jacket made the detector chirp. Same result when the tip of the detector touched the inside of the IECs
3 receptacles (hot, neutral, ground).
Next up was a home-built PC I had made awhile back. Similar results, maybe had to get closer to the jacket to make the tester
go off. Similar results with a Signal Digital Reference, as well as a Xindak Digital PC; but their jackets are much thinner, and so seem to allow the detector to go off louder.
After that I tried a Signal Cable Magic Power, which fared a little better around the jacket, audible chirp but noticeably quieter, but still allowed the chirping when all three contacts on the IEC were touched. But, it did have a lot more resistance around the outer jacket nevertheless. But the real eye-opener came with a Pangea AC-9. DEAD solid quiet, no matter where on the jacket the tip of the detector touched. In fact, even the IECs are so well shielded that touching either the neutral or ground connection directly produced no sounds at all. Given the sheer mass and diameter of the cable itself, as well as the thickness on both plug ends, I have to assume that these Pangeas are extremely well shielded cables.
I was not sure, but this simple test sure makes me believe that there are differences in cables... as always, YMMV.
So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?
http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/
http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/
Post edited by polrbehr on
Comments
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Cool test Harry. You've got me wondering........Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Audio guy Mike Sokol does some interesting AC power tests for bootleg grounds using a non-contact voltage probe.
'Failures in Outlet Testing Exposed' by Mike Sokol
http://ecmweb.com/contractor/failures-outlet-testing-exposed
Voltage is always measured between two points. So the way a non-contact voltage probe works is. One test point is the sensitive tip of the probe, the other follows a path from your hand through your body then through the very small capacitance between you and Mother Earth. These probes work better when you are standing on a concrete floor than the third story of a wood frame house.
For repeatability when doing this kind of test, mark the dress (placement) cable and note your position. -
Speedskater wrote: »Audio guy Mike Sokol does some interesting AC power tests for bootleg grounds using a non-contact voltage probe.
'Failures in Outlet Testing Exposed' by Mike Sokol
http://ecmweb.com/contractor/failures-outlet-testing-exposed
Voltage is always measured between two points. So the way a non-contact voltage probe works is. One test point is the sensitive tip of the probe, the other follows a path from your hand through your body then through the very small capacitance between you and Mother Earth. These probes work better when you are standing on a concrete floor than the third story of a wood frame house.
For repeatability when doing this kind of test, mark the dress (placement) cable and note your position.
This was in fact done on a tile floor in my basement. I tried to be as consistent as possible, but Bell Labs I ain't. ; )So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?
http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/ -
Interesting results and timing. I did a lot of research on affordable PC's and just yesterday I decided that the AC-9 is the best value for the $. Looking to mod my SC-05 with an AC receptacle. If I hear a difference great! If not, then it will be a much better cord than the stock cord....what a joke for an $1800 msrp unit.2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2
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Looking to mod my SC-05 with an AC receptacle. If I hear a difference great! If not, then it will be a much better cord than the stock cord....what a joke for an $1800 msrp unit.
Can you do me a "solid" and post some pics of this mod? I have the same AVR. Out of all my A/V equipment, the SC-05 has the dinkiest power cable of them all. -
Good idea about modding the SC-05 to accept power cords. I did the same thing to my TV. I added a Furtech IEC connector so that I could use a Shunyata Zitron Cobra with the TV. Took the picture a step up with more vivid color, detail, and clarity. It especially made red better. Jessica Castain looks even beter in Zero Dark Thirty after the new cord.Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
I added a Furtech IEC connector so that I could use a Shunyata Zitron Cobra with the TV.
So did you have to cut into the frame to get it to accept the Furtech IEC connector? -
Can you do me a "solid" and post some pics of this mod? I have the same AVR. Out of all my A/V equipment, the SC-05 has the dinkiest power cable of them all.
It should have an IEC socket on the back like my SC-37. Just pull the original cord and insert a new cord of your choice. I use a PS Audio cord on mine, which made for a definite improvement.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
So did you have to cut into the frame to get it to accept the Furtech IEC connector?
I will at some point since that is the best way. At this point it is spliced into a connector that connects to the mother board, and sits on the floor since the stock PC entered into the chassis at the bottom of the set. The TV is a 57" RPCRT. If it had been a newer plasma or similar I would not have bothered. Then again I hope the newer sets allow PC upgrades.
This has some pictures of the dusty TV.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?149332-Added-Furtech-IEC-connector-to-Hitachi-RPTVLumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
Nope, the cord isn't removable on mine.
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I want to wait until WLDock does his first. I'd feel more confident that way. If I do this, should I go ahead and use Dynamat on the inside cover of the SC-05? It's mostly vented, but does have some solid areas. Or will a unit that gets that warm make the tar substance of the Dynamat melt?
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Ah, I wasn't aware of that. You'd have to remove the stock cord, cut out that area to accept an IEC socket, mount and connect the IEC to the internal wires and you're good to go.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
If I may so bold as to link to my own thread?
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?99601-Mods-for-IEC
I've done several of these, and if I can... 'nuff said.So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?
http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/ -
Thanks for posting that link. The Dremel cutting is the only part I'm hesitant about. I don't own one and have never used one, but I'm pretty sure I know someone that has one, but I'd never let him do the cutting. He's not as particular about things as I am. His "projects" turn out half-****$ed.
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Maybe a little more help from our friend Ken
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?104467-Replacing-attached-power-cords-with-IEC-connector&highlight=replacing+power+cord -
Maybe a little more help from our friend Ken
Ken mentioned a nibbler in that thread. Look what I found for $3.98.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12345949#
I'm not looking for a tool that will last a lifetime. This will cut up to 18-gauge non-hardened metals and plastics. What are they referring to as a non-hardened metal?