Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion HiFi & HT Chat Mains Cable Alternatives?

Please don't categorise or try to reduce my own conclusions. I am not a retailer, I don't personally benefit from promoting this unproved, inexplicable phenomenon. I'm unbiased.

I said I've tried, made my own, bought (and re-sold ) expensive cables. So my comments can't be taken with a pinch of salt, or dismissed because you disagree.

Shunyata sent you very expensive cables (loan or to keep?) and you're a retailer. Would you describe yourself as unbiased?

So you claim you can hear the difference, were these double blind tests? Any science involved or did you just "hear" the difference, clearly.

Suggesting my equipment isn't up to it or my ears aren't good enough just about sums up the paucity of your argument.

Take a moment and explain the science behind this phenomenon or just keep chanting the mantra as someone who is far from unbiased by definition. You are in a minority opinion regarding cables and there's good reasons for that. Each to their own, including minorities and the unexplained. Whilst we're on the topic, how do you feel about UFOs?

Yes, and it does make an appreciable difference in a system that is able to resolve those differences, although stepping up to Blizzard would be worth consideration.

Have you never asked yourself how this works? No curiosity or desire to understand? The impact on SQ can't actually be measured but if you can't hear it, there's something wrong with your system? Really? Goodness

You missed the other two reasons. Most companies can provide you with all sorts of "scientific " proof in white papers and measurements but none of that means a hoot if you can't appreciate the difference. Have you tried any type of tweeks in your system? What is your system comprised of? We can't tell from your signature nor from your contributions to these forums. Maybe if we know what you are basing your opinions on, we can understand if it is real world experience or plain old skepticism.

I am actually aware that In the Fields has tried a variety of the benefits that such after market additions are supposed to deliver. And has plenty of Meridian and other equipment with which to test them. A brief search of posts here will confirm that.

And the difference between a box wine and a fine wine are pretty easy to measure in terms of the production. But you can’t compare apples and oranges.
I still go back to my original post here.
I always wonder with the question of replacing mains cables what about the very cheap mains cable that runs all over the house. I mean, it’s one solid core of copper. And it goes through a consumer unit with micro switches. How does replacing a tiny part of the mains cable chain with a flexible cable that can cost up to £7k make any difference to the sound when the first thing that happens inside a Meridian speaker is yet another fuse and then a big transformer? i just want to understand the science of these expensive mains cables.

So are people saying there actually is no science?
Roger Nichols - sound engineer and solidly scientific- made clear arguments for implementing a balanced power system. It’s easier to do in the States with a 110 volt system. Well, easier in that it’s less dangerous than with 240 volts as we have over here. But his arguments were based on the complete chain of mains delivery. Unless people are replacing every cable in the chain then what we are left with is the proposal that the short mains cable acts as some kind of filter. And if that’s the case, then it can be measured.
And if it’s about filtering, then the filtering inside the speaker power supply will be more efficient for a number of clear, scientific reasons.

And of course the power supply of a particular device like an amplifier or streamer can make a difference. You will see that In the Fields is very aware of that. But the cable? Let’s at least try to explain the science…

Gentlemen, this topic really should not descend into a handbags at dawn dispute.

Sure, discussion on the merits of power cables is criticised by some as ‘a sham, a scam, and not worth a damn’ - typically by those who haven’t taken the time to at least home-audition such products with their own equipment.

At least they can scorn and pity us ‘fools’ on wasting our money. They really shouldn’t lose any sleep on our folly.

With the 2 mains tweaks I’ve added to my own system, I’m persuaded there is sufficient merit by audio improvements to my system that they are not some mere placebo gain. It’s persuaded me to maximise the potential of my DSP’s within a proportionate budget without my wallet skipping a beat.

I’m reminded of the Audioquest demonstration from 5 years ago on their range of power cables coupled with a cheap mains block compared to their entry-level mains conditioner. As amply stated during the demonstration, which mains cable you chose is relative to your system’s value and what you’re willing to pay.

Marmite.

@inthefields

While we are on the topic...how do you feel about forum moderation? You've made a contribution - don't turn it into a fight.

The question isn’t about marmite. It’s about science. If something sounds different there is a reason. The question is about the reason something sounds different. And about discovering with a double blind test whether something really does sound different or if we are somehow being deceived by other factors.

Maybe this will help, but especially if you want to see something that is measurable rather than perceptible.

These are demonstrations using a ‘dirty mains analyser’ in the UK and USA - and the reduction in mains noise by using Shunyata (NR) mains cables.

Such mains analysers are available in the UK and USA.

It’s a pity that dealerships don’t have such devices for their customers to borrow - but I suspect their charge for borrowing the device would exceed the cost of buying one for yourself.

Given the price of Shunyata (NR) Cables, paying £/$/€100 for a mains analyser is a small price to pay to establish if such cables would be beneficial or not.

For me, rather than buying such cables specifically for each DSP, maybe buying/using a suitable quality mains block connected to a Shunyata (NR) mains cable is the better option to improve all of my system’s components (not just my DSP’s).

I like your thinking.

I'd probably go for something other than Shunyata myself, but cleaning up the power and then distributing it makes good sense. You just have to make sure that (a) you are not choking the current anywhere and (b) nothing is polluting the power on the "clean" side.

I’m open to all suggestions for alternative power cables.

I was surprised to discover VanDenHul have noise reduction power cables. Given how Meridian once used VDH wiring in their products engendered a sense of nostalgia in possibly using VDH mains cables.

Unfortunately, I cannot find any reviews.

These demos are something of a gimmick, it's easy to produce that effect by plugging in various "noise reducers". Thing is, does the noise actually affect the DSP/amp? Probably not.

There is a big assumption that noise affects SQ, it's not that simple. In any event, AC usually becomes DC, why not clean up the DC after it's passed that far? Funny, that's what people do. Bob Stuart at the HHer factory tour (2013?), when asked about power cables (by me) said "it all happens inside". Regulators, low drop regulators etc.


(Puritan Audio have good rep for power cables)