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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 12, 2016 17:26:14 GMT
I have heard with high and low end systems that unswitched sockets make more music and your kit delivers more.
This is a no brainer for me, cheap too.
I'm confident and careful enough to change switched sockets to unswitched myself.
*However*
You must not do this unless you know absolutely what you are doing.
You can kill yourself and this would be a bad thing.
If you don't want to do this how much might it cost ?
I asked my sparky how much he would charge to come in and change with him supplying socket/s, North East Surrey
Come in, supply and change One socket £45
Each additional socket £20
Cheap upgrade indeed and your sparky can also check if your earth is solid and working well. This will also improve the sound.
If you currently run your kit from an switched socket into a cheapo 4 or 6 way go for what you need in unswitched in one bank.
The difference will leave you open mouthed.
While you're at it think about a Missing Link socket designed to be good for hifi for around £35
If you're really keen then there's the reassuringly expensive Furutech at around £200
Our very own Colin Wonfor was the one who first made hi-fi sockets with his Inca-tech ones
Before you start look at the back of the socket and see which of the two sockets is connected
directly to the earth coming in. Small mark with a felt pen on the front.
Later on compare how each socket sounds
Finally
do not try this if you are not 100% confident, but more to the point competent.
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Post by brian2957 on Mar 12, 2016 17:33:31 GMT
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 12, 2016 18:17:26 GMT
Great idea, thanks Brian
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2016 18:52:59 GMT
I did this back in 1987 and it was well worthwhile, even with a cheap-ish system (Townshend Rock/RB300/ATF5, Myst Tma3, Epps ES14). Oddly enough, I have never done it again in any subsequent house. I will certainly do it in my next place, so thanks for the reminder.
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 12, 2016 19:24:38 GMT
When I moved last I forgot to do it and my system sounded horrid.
Never again
If I move again I'll be calling a sparky before we move in !
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Post by dsjr on Mar 13, 2016 21:10:18 GMT
I was doing all these things thirty years ago. Then I got a better system (cheaper too) and it didn't seem to matter any more - go figure  |
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Post by Greg on Mar 13, 2016 22:04:51 GMT
I was doing all these things thirty years ago. Then I got a better system (cheaper too) and it didn't seem to matter any more - go figure Yep, I agree with that. My experience as well, albeit my recent ventures into balanced power supplies has been quite revolutionary for me. I already have played with DIY filters which seem to be good on digital kit, but knock the stuffing out of my valve amp system, so they are exempt from filtering apart from some basic spike suppression fitted within their chassis'. |
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Post by dsjr on Mar 14, 2016 7:31:25 GMT
Filters should be TEN TIMES the capacity of the item they're connected to, so I use 6A rated ones, one per critical item and not on power amps. Oh, and switched sockets are perfectly fine as long as they're not old and knackered - same with standard distribution blocks in my current experience (they're cheap so can be replaced regularly). I'm getting a clearer sound now than ever now and my gear isn't overly sensitive to the mains  |
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 14, 2016 9:34:20 GMT
Tested a few months ago and switched socket was not so good, all installed 2009.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2016 11:03:22 GMT
I have done this and noticed a small difference - now in a different room with switched sockets and frankly I don't notice any difference but have now changed gear quite a bit. Switched sockets do make it easier to switch off kit that has rear switches when left for long periods.
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 14, 2016 13:10:14 GMT
I may be able to use a switched socket for the P10 without too much grief - I think
Be interesting to compare the whole set up as ia today
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Post by MartinT on Mar 14, 2016 15:48:39 GMT
The P10 has front panel controls making switching off one bit of kit very easy.
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 14, 2016 17:42:08 GMT
I hope I can turn all off and reroute the cable from unswitched over to a switched socket
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2016 16:07:42 GMT
Hi MikeMusic
"While you're at it think about a Missing Link socket designed to be good for hifi for around £35
If you're really keen then there's the reassuringly expensive Furutech at around £200
Our very own Colin Wonfor was the one who first made hi-fi sockets with his Inca-tech ones"
Yep guilty as charged, now a tip a normal MK socket is easy to take apart, to Gold plate find a local plater and first plate with 1 micron of Copper on the brass and the Cu, then 5 microns of Nickel, then 5 - 10 Microns of Gold.
The Cu makes a good base for the hard Ni and the Ni stops the Gold migrating into the Cu. so it will stay gleaming and bright even after 40 years in the potting compound mine did.
Now the plugs,the problem is the PVC insulators and plastic/rubber case, you need to be able to dismantle the plug I used Delta they were a dream to use and also flash Gold the fuses in a tumbler plater.The PVC insulator will be eaten by the Hot Gold Cyanide solution (do not use this at home death occurs in 25 -40sec and it hurts) use a licenced plater.
In 1982 the plugs cost 50p and £2.00 to plate, sockets were £2.50 and £4.00 to plate the fuses were about 50p to plate now with the price of Gold who can tell.
Do have fun.
Col
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 17, 2016 21:07:36 GMT
Thanks Colin
If I had the skill and the confidence I'd have a go but that's a step or three too far for me.
I will have a look at a socket out of interest and see how I feel then
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Post by ChrisB on Mar 17, 2016 21:56:31 GMT
I doubt anyone here will give it a go, but thanks for the fascinating insight Colin.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2016 22:23:13 GMT
The Chord cable company tried it also in about 2000,maybe they still do, give it a go.
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Post by Greg on Mar 18, 2016 1:11:14 GMT
Colin, I had one of your gold plated plugs when I bought my original Clamore. I used it and it made not a blind bit of difference to my sound. Then again, I did nothing to improve the rest of the mains feed to my system. Presently I'm working on that, but sorry, fancy plated plugs and sockets do not feature in my scheme. It's all much more about a basic satisfactory mains lead (shielded Belden) from my BPS into a basic but quality distribution block. Thereafter and at present I am using kettle leads into my kit. I am a firm believer that getting your main components right should be the emphasis. Thereafter, power supply leads, interconnects and speaker cables are the point of consideration and without doubt, it is a mistake to consider all these things before the main products in the system are established. If you attend a gathering such as Owston (coming soon) where DIY high end sounds are exhibited, attention to mains supply and cable is probably a lowest priority. Even speakers hooked up with basic mains cable is not uncommon, but the sound can be sublime. It would nice to see you at Owston if you have the time. See www.audio-talk.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=6403Oh well. Each to their own, but for certain I'm not in the business of polishing a turd, hence my approach of invest in your main components and tweak with cables and connectors for whatever need thereafter. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2016 5:34:39 GMT
Well Greg having seen some of your remarks on other subjects I have come to the conclusion you love a good argument or just to stir it up or just plain deaf.
Shame as all the other 1000,s of users of these connections over 40yrs could hear the improvement and Inca Tech never paid for review with advertising or incentive so all the good reviews according to you must also be crap.
As to going to Owston my health would not allow me to go that far. And that particular forum a few year ago when I tried to talk and get feedback on a cable I designed just banned me, maybe because like Wigwam polite conversation is not the thing.
"Oh well. Each to their own, but for certain I'm not in the business of polishing a turd, hence my approach of invest in your main components and tweak with cables and connectors for whatever need thereafter."
But you just have polished a turd , so are you interested in music, sound , techy, or just being rude and nasty.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 18, 2016 7:28:20 GMT
Greg, it's not surprising (although quite rude) that you take this approach to mains supply if you have never heard what a difference it can make. There are enough of us here who pay attention to these things to give you pause for thought, at least. If it sounds good now, it could sound even better if you took care of mains quality, regardless of what they do at Owston.
However, my main issue is that you seem hell bent on being aggressive to other members of late. Please could you reel it in and understand that others may have a different point of view?
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