Quick question about power cords

Options
leadfoot1
leadfoot1 Posts: 155
edited August 2008 in Electronics
Sorry for the newbie question. The power cord on my amp (Rotel 1075) just has two prongs with no ground. Is it OK to use a new cord that has a ground? I am looking at getting a Signal Cable Magic power cord because I need a longer cord.
Post edited by leadfoot1 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited August 2008
    Options
    leadfoot1 wrote: »
    Sorry for the newbie question. The power cord on my amp (Rotel 1075) just has two prongs with no ground. Is it OK to use a new cord that has a ground? I am looking at getting a Signal Cable Magic power cord because I need a longer cord.

    Should be. What about the jack on the Rotel-Does it have the Ground lug? If not then it won't matter what cord you use. If it has one, then likely its required.
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,811
    edited August 2008
    Options
    None of the Rotels I have had used three prong plugs. There is no connection on the amp side. A three prong plug will work fine, since there is no connection on the amp side, nothing is actually changed.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Midnite Mick
    Midnite Mick Posts: 1,591
    edited August 2008
    Options
    As long as the IEC still fits in the inlet. They may have a different shape.
    Modwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Consonance cd120T
    Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Usher CP 6311

    Phillips Pronto TS1000 Universal Remote
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TouchOfEvil
    TouchOfEvil Posts: 967
    edited August 2008
    Options
    I have the same amp and was wanting to upgrade the power wire.
    I looked at signal as well but the amp can draw 800volts and the cable from signal says it's only good for 600volts.......who has some 800 volt cable links/suggestions?
    Living Room Rig:D
    Rotel RSP-1069/Rotel RMB-1095/Rotel-1072/Polk lsI15's W/modded xoverW/DBsubs/Polk LsiC/lsI7's/Klipsch sub-12"the weak link"/DLP Mitsubishi 65"
    Xbox360/PS3/WII
    M.Br. setup:)
    Emotiva MMC-1/Rotel RMB-1075/Polk BlackStone TL350's/Velodyne SPL1000/Samsung 51" Plasma
    Computer Rig:
    Rotel RB1050/Tannoy DC4's/Klipsch RW-10d/ImodIpod/HK AVR230 for now....
    Headphones-Ultrasone-HFI780's w/LittleDot MK Vamp Portables Panasonic HJE-900's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited August 2008
    Options
    TouchOfEvil, I would then contact PS Audio. http://www.psaudio.com/cables.asp
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • John K.
    John K. Posts: 822
    edited August 2008
    Options
    Touch, you appear to be misinterpreting the numbers that you quote in your post. There's no amplifier that can "draw" anywhere near 800 volts; by way of Ohm's Law, power is calculated as V(squared)/R, so for example 800 squared over 8ohms would be about 80,000 watts. Amplifiers use the nominal 120 voltage (which alternates from about +/- 170 volts)stepped-down by the transformer in their power supply section to a maximum voltage typically around 40. All well-designed amplifiers are able to withstand over-voltages(e.g., from a nearby lightning strike)up to 1000 volts or more without permanent damage, but the 800 number that you mention may be the rated power consumption in watts of your 1075, rather than a voltage spec.

    As to the 600 volt maximum of the power cord that you mention, this may be the voltage that it could handle without burning out, and is far more than the incoming voltage in normal operation.

    You should be confident that the Rotel engineers were competent and specified a power cord that was ample for the relatively modest needs of the unit they designed. No "upgrade" of the power cord is necessary, or in reality even possible in a meaningful sense.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited August 2008
    Options
    John K. wrote: »
    You should be confident that the Rotel engineers were competent and specified a power cord that was ample for the relatively modest needs of the unit they designed. No "upgrade" of the power cord is necessary, or in reality even possible in a meaningful sense.
    :rolleyes:
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71333

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71382
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited August 2008
    Options
    Face wrote: »
    :rolleyes:
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71333

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71382

    Cheater :p
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited August 2008
    Options
    mmadden28 wrote: »
    Cheater :p
    It's a lot nicer than what I wanted to say. :D
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited August 2008
    Options
    John K. wrote: »
    Touch, you appear to be misinterpreting the numbers that you quote in your post. There's no amplifier that can "draw" anywhere near 800 volts;....

    I was about to say the same thing about his misunderstanding with the voltage 'draw', but I type slow....
    John K. wrote: »
    ...You should be confident that the Rotel engineers were competent and specified a power cord that was ample for the relatively modest needs of the unit they designed. No "upgrade" of the power cord is necessary, or in reality even possible in a meaningful sense.

    I disagree--Its not about engineer competence-but about corp decisions and cost saving measures deciding which cable to stock-they probably assume that users will be replacing them anyway. For all I know UL listing might require a UL listed power cable to be provided-I don't know. My Emotiva XPA amps each came with an 18awg power cable. :eek: You heard me right-I was shocked to say the least. This for an amp that is rated a full 15 amps and full 1800 watts-of course its been stated that it will not likely ever draw that much....

    Anyway, without getting into any cable arguements-at a minimuma thicker guage power cable is definately a no brainer-minimal cost--just provides for more potential--less resistance.

    You could drink a milkshake thru a tiny straw, but put a fatty straw in there and you'll get the goods!! Not that you have to drink as fast as you possibly could, but that you no longer encounter any resistance to flow and thus a more enjoyable experience--take what you need (well until the brain freeze anyway;).     There, how's that analogy?
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • leadfoot1
    leadfoot1 Posts: 155
    edited August 2008
    Options
    Thanks for the replies guys. :) I wouldn't buy one so soon after just buying the amp but as I said I need a longer one for my setup.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TouchOfEvil
    TouchOfEvil Posts: 967
    edited August 2008
    Options
    Thanks guys, yeah i misread the specs on Rotel site and it said power consumption 800 watts. Not 800 volts. Guess i looked at it then later on went to veiw the power cable and got em mixxed up. My mistake.
    Living Room Rig:D
    Rotel RSP-1069/Rotel RMB-1095/Rotel-1072/Polk lsI15's W/modded xoverW/DBsubs/Polk LsiC/lsI7's/Klipsch sub-12"the weak link"/DLP Mitsubishi 65"
    Xbox360/PS3/WII
    M.Br. setup:)
    Emotiva MMC-1/Rotel RMB-1075/Polk BlackStone TL350's/Velodyne SPL1000/Samsung 51" Plasma
    Computer Rig:
    Rotel RB1050/Tannoy DC4's/Klipsch RW-10d/ImodIpod/HK AVR230 for now....
    Headphones-Ultrasone-HFI780's w/LittleDot MK Vamp Portables Panasonic HJE-900's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter