|
|
Post by julesd68 on Dec 2, 2015 14:25:05 GMT
OK, I’m prepared to take a bit of stick for this but have recently acquired an old style Russ Andrews 6 way mains block just out of curiosity really.  The build quality is excellent - it has a very sturdy, weighty feel with its metal casing. It has a PowerKord, SuperClamp and KimberKable wiring but none of that matters to me, what I’m interested in is how it works in my system. What I have found has really surprised me, as I didn’t have any great expectation for it either way. - No it doesn’t take out clicks and pops but I have found that my vinyl plays with a seemingly quieter background, that is closer to the cd experience - A sense of better clarity, resolution and dynamics - I’m not getting any more bass but feel a sense of more solidity to the image. Perhaps the bass is slightly tighter and better defined I have had it plumbed in for about a week now and the best compliment I can pay it is that I have wanted to play lots of lps! I’m not going to buy up the whole RA catalogue of course but this product is staying right here. |
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Dec 2, 2015 15:22:55 GMT
Great !
Is it plugged into a switched or unswitched socket ?
If you can try both your ears will tell you unswitched is what you want.
If it's like the big metal 8 way I have it puts The Forth Bridge to shame
|
|
|
|
Post by jazzbones on Dec 2, 2015 16:21:55 GMT
OK, I’m prepared to take a bit of stick for this but have recently acquired an old style Russ Andrews 6 way mains block just out of curiosity really. The build quality is excellent - it has a very sturdy, weighty feel with its metal casing. It has a PowerKord, SuperClamp and KimberKable wiring but none of that matters to me, what I’m interested in is how it works in my system. What I have found has really surprised me, as I didn’t have any great expectation for it either way. - No it doesn’t take out clicks and pops but I have found that my vinyl plays with a seemingly quieter background, that is closer to the cd experience - A sense of better clarity, resolution and dynamics - I’m not getting any more bass but feel a sense of more solidity to the image. Perhaps the bass is slightly tighter and better defined I have had it plumbed in for about a week now and the best compliment I can pay it is that I have wanted to play lots of lps! I’m not going to buy up the whole RA catalogue of course but this product is staying right here. A year ago I bought the RA Power block (wedge shaped with a total of 8 outlets), I don't regret paying the money as it is well made and certainly tidied up my mains leads. Talking of which, I don't use RA mains leads but make my own up using Furetech IEC, big MH 13amp plugs and good quality Belden mains cable with RF ground wire at 13amp plug end. It certainly beats all the distribution blocks I've used in the pass and yes, and now that you have mentioned it, music does play with a quieter background. Although I have a couple of Kimber Reference mains cables bought years ago I can't say they are better than my DIY/Belden cables but should you ever have the itch to try a RA power cord, RA Accessories do have a 60 days trial and return policy costing you return postage only. |
|
|
|
Post by dsjr on Dec 2, 2015 17:55:05 GMT
When I returned to KJW1 for a few months, just before Russ took his sales in-house, we used his mains block extensively and I found that it helped no end with awful West End mains quality. Big amps always sounded clearer and many CD players improved too I remember. Sadly, Russ closed down all his dealers and that product was no longer available to us. I went to sister shop in Northampton afterwards and have no idea what happened from then on. At the time, the six-socket block cost £200 iirc.
|
|
|
|
Post by John on Dec 2, 2015 20:05:35 GMT
I am glad the mains extension has helped in your system
A lot of us have really put a lot of energy to mains and I think living in London with pre war homes and close to factories etc we can be a lot more prone to poor mains than those out in the sticks
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2015 20:38:21 GMT
I used to use and swear by Russ Andrews mains blocks and cable. Seemed to work wonders with a Naim system but didn't seem to have as much effect later with other kit. If I was buying fancy mains cable again, they would be my first choice, especially PK14 and PK10
|
|
|
|
Post by dsjr on Dec 2, 2015 21:36:17 GMT
Don't forget the reasonably priced mark Grant mains cable (I think he still sells these). Heavy gauge with high current rating, the shield, connected or not, claims to do good things with any rf or muck coming in and I rate mine.
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Dec 2, 2015 21:48:16 GMT
Great ! Is it plugged into a switched or unswitched socket ? If you can try both your ears will tell you unswitched is what you want. If it's like the big metal 8 way I have it puts The Forth Bridge to shame It's an unswitched socket Mike - I don't have a choice! |
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Dec 2, 2015 21:52:42 GMT
Well yes I would be interested in trying a few cables with different components ...
I was thinking to try with my amp, turntable psu and phono stage - does that sound sensible?
Can't afford to go crazy with them and wouldn't be able to afford the new RA cables, so would have to be second-hand for those, easy to sell on aswell if need be.
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Dec 3, 2015 7:21:10 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Dec 3, 2015 8:52:43 GMT
Jules I have a collection of cheaper cables, most Russ Andrews from my upgrade trail/trial I'll put together a list and PM you Yello at the bottom through to the reassuringly expensive Silver Reference  |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Dec 3, 2015 11:12:13 GMT
I bought an RA 6-way strip many years ago and still use it for distribution to auxiliary components like the Sky box, TV etc. Whatever we think of RA now, he pretty much kicked off my inquiry into mains quality and treatment and for that I remain grateful.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2015 12:17:53 GMT
My current one is a Merlin Tarantual 6 way. I haven't compared it with standard or specialist blocks. I bought it when they sold them off half price. One day soonI will experiment with mains again as my house and system have changed,
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Dec 3, 2015 14:14:04 GMT
Jules I have a collection of cheaper cables, most Russ Andrews from my upgrade trail/trial I'll put together a list and PM you Yello at the bottom through to the reassuringly expensive Silver Reference Nice one Mike! |
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Dec 3, 2015 14:14:59 GMT
I bought an RA 6-way strip many years ago and still use it for distribution to auxiliary components like the Sky box, TV etc. Whatever we think of RA now, he pretty much kicked off my inquiry into mains quality and treatment and for that I remain grateful. I'm thinking along the same lines Martin! |
|
|
|
Post by brian2957 on Dec 3, 2015 17:52:05 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Dec 3, 2015 18:42:29 GMT
Can someone please explain in simple terms what a 'high current' mains cable is and why I might want to use one??
|
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Dec 3, 2015 21:19:42 GMT
In Russ Andrews terms it's one of their names.
Others names they use
Standard
Classic
Reference
Signature
The High Current was renamed Reference. Same cable so far as I know
|
|
|
|
Post by brian2957 on Dec 3, 2015 22:22:29 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Dec 3, 2015 23:11:11 GMT
Can't get that link to work Brian ...
I presume the high current cables will have higher rated fuses?
|
|
