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

One of my Meridian Prime improvements was in replacing the supplied mains cable with Audioquest NRG-X3. In due course, I will upgrade my 210 and 218 with the same C5 derived cable. To my knowledge, it’s the only quality C5 type cable on the market.

Sadly, it wasn’t possible to replace my M6’s mains cable due to the rigid construction of the AQ NRG-X3 allied to constrained access to the M6’s mains input.

Now I own DSP5200SE’s my options for replacing the supplied C13 mains cable is significantly better - from £85 for 2 metres to a stratospheric £7k (!).

What, if any, mains cable have others used to replace their supplied DSP’s mains cable - and what perceived improvement resulted?

There are many on this forum who have used Shunyata Research power cables to great effect with their DSP speakers.

Alternatives, anyone?

Shunyata Research Venom V14 is available in a C5 plug configuration. They also make adapters allowing any C15 power cable to be used in a device requiring a C5 connector. The caveat being there needs to be adequate clearance to accommodate the adapter and cord.

Thanks, Bruce: using a C13 to C5 adapter wasn’t anywhere on my radar.

In the UK, this Russ Andrews example would otherwise save voiding the warranty on 218/210 by those thinking of modifying their power input.

I found that a Shunyata Denali 2000/T with competent $200 cords made my 5200SE’s sing, with much tighter bass and, especially, lifelike dynamics. I paid $2,500 USD new, so it should be had for less than $2k used I would guess.

I had the same experience with the Denali 2000/T and an inexpensive Shunyata cable with DSP7200SE's. The bass was unmistakably tighter, and there was a general relaxation of the sound.

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.

You may find this detailed explanation useful.

Over the years I've purchased and used a number cables from The Missing Link. I use their reference hcx mains cables to feed my pair of 5200SEs.
Not compared them to anything else bar the supplied Meridian mains leads. Im very rusty on the before & after findings as added the missing link cables quite a few years ago. I can certainly remember an immediate improvement in the overall width / depth and overal size of the perceived soundstage in particular.

I got a good deal on the mains cables at the time as I had a few other unused cables from years gone by which I part exd against the missing link cables.


These guys will pretty much make you whatever you require re connectors, cable length etc. They mainly use silver in all of their cables, plugs, connectors etc

Not really. it seems to claim that the mains cable acts as a filter. Much better ways of filtering are available but it seems to ignore the fact that it is the power supply that actually provides power to the amplifier, for example, will have filtering of a much better quality than a cable.

Agree with AndrewPG, not a great explanation, reads like ChatGPT with added marketing BS; the mention of ‘skin effect’ on a 50/60Hz cable raised my eyebrow.

The graph of the different conductors was a bit disingenuous too.