Upgraded Power Cables

[Gordon Gray]

Hi Gordon,

so a word of caution - the budget Wattgates are marginally better than run-of-the-mill; I have worked with them before, and would strongly advise the 350s

Peter

Peter,

Thanks for the input.

I made several phone calls trying to make sense of all these different termination options. As you know, prices are all over the map.

I called DH Labs and installed what they install at their shop.

If you wouldn't mind, can you explain why the 350 terminations are better? I assume they are copper.

Mark me confused.

Gordon

 

[spectral]

Peter,

Thanks for the input.

I made several phone calls trying to make sense of all these different termination options. As you know, prices are all over the map.

I called DH Labs and installed what they install at their shop.

If you wouldn't mind, can you explain why the 350 terminations are better? I assume they are copper.

Mark me confused.

Gordon

I assume you bought the old 330 (replaced by the 5266) or 320 - these are all brass-based, with flimsy connectors. What you want is the 330i male and 350i female, which are all copper, use electroless nickel plating, then are gold plated on top of that; they also feature those PermaLock terminals. Unfortunately, this means you have to pay for quality, ~ $75 a piece.

The basic Wattgate give you what you pay for; and I had plenty a thick wire come detached from the terminals.

 

[Gordon Gray]

Peter,

Bought the 5266i and 320i. Both have the permalock terminals. Seem quite robust to me.

The plating, and the sonic benefits / value thereof, is where I get confused.

Gordon

 

[spectral]

It's questionable whether brass vs copper plugs will make a difference; my Shunyatas look like they are all-brass, cryo-treated as well. But I can't believe brass is the last word for this type of application. If you are happy with the plugs you have then that's all that matters... Clearly, they have improved the base product since I last played with them.

 

[Gordon Gray]

Peter,

Therein lies the rub. The price difference between the two termination products is quite substantial. Somewhere in the area between $200 to $225 for two PC's.

The Wattgates I received are also advertised as being cryo-treated.

Thanks again for the input.

Gordon

 

[Dan Osib]

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO PAY $75.00 FOR CRAPPY BRASS IEC PLUGS WHEN YOU CAN BUY A 'NEOTECH' 99.99999% PURE COPPER IEC FOR $49.00? http://www.partsconnexion.com/neotech-70918img.html

 

[Gordon Gray]

Dan,

I haven't run across anything that would indicate that brass is "crappy" per se and / or that copper, silver, or rhodium material is clearly superior and justifies the cost increase.

If you have any credible information indicating that this is true from a listening perspective, I'd love to see it.

GG

 

[spectral]

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO PAY $75.00 FOR CRAPPY BRASS IEC PLUGS WHEN YOU CAN BUY A 'NEOTECH' 99.99999% PURE COPPER IEC FOR $49.00? http://www.partsconnexion.com/neotech-70918img.html

I believe you got this wrong. The $75 pieces are the copper-gold ones... There are other things in there like the locking connectors that make them superior. In the end, it's a better product.

 

[Dan Osib]

Dan,

I haven't run across anything that would indicate that brass is "crappy" per se and / or that copper, silver, or rhodium material is clearly superior and justifies the cost increase.

If you have any credible information indicating that this is true from a listening perspective, I'd love to see it.

GG

Sorry for being so presumptuous here. Unfortunately Brass is only half as electrically conductive as copper is. Brass is a poor conductor. I have tried many different brands/metals of IEC plugs in my time and so far the most transparent sound Ive heard came from plugs like the 'UPOCC Solid Copper' Neotech's I previously mentioned. If you want to hear slightly better then go for the 'UPOCC Copper' Furutech IEC, or at the very very top - the IEGO ''Solid Silver'' plugs (finest sound quality at any price). The IEGO costs a not unreasonable $100.00.

 

[Gordon Gray]

Hi Dan,

I did research conductivity values and totally agree that brass falls low on the list.

I do appreciate your insight and hope to conduct my own listening tests in the future.

GG

 

[beek]

Sorry for being so presumptuous here. Unfortunately Brass is only half as electrically conductive as copper is. Brass is a poor conductor. I have tried many different brands/metals of IEC plugs in my time and so far the most transparent sound Ive heard came from plugs like the 'UPOCC Solid Copper' Neotech's I previously mentioned. If you want to hear slightly better then go for the 'UPOCC Copper' Furutech IEC, or at the very very top - the IEGO ''Solid Silver'' plugs (finest sound quality at any price). The IEGO costs a not unreasonable $100.00.

What about a touch of conductive grease, you only need to fill the air gaps?

 

[Dan Osib]

Hi Dan,

I did research conductivity values and totally agree that brass falls low on the list.

I do appreciate your insight and hope to conduct my own listening tests in the future.

GG

If you don't want to spend a lot of cash to buy a good IEC plug then go with SONARQUEST (solid Oxygen Free Copper pins- platinum plated). They only cost a mere $10.00 each direct from the factory or on Ebay, good sound quality too.

 

[FoxMulder]

If you don't want to spend a lot of cash to buy a good IEC plug then go with SONARQUEST (solid Oxygen Free Copper pins- platinum plated). They only cost a mere $10.00 each direct from the factory or on Ebay, good sound quality too.

I've never heard of Sonarquest before. Their stuff looks really nice for the money. I might have to try it. Thanks for the recommendation Dan.

 

[Dan Osib]

I've never heard of Sonarquest before. Their stuff looks really nice for the money. I might have to try it. Thanks for the recommendation Dan.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with them. Another good IEC that I'm hearing nothing but good things about are PAILICCS OCC Copper plugs (5 NINES purity solid copper pins), cheap at $15 to $20 each!!

 

[Gordon Gray]

Dan,

Thanks for the info on Sonarquest. Now that I know what my terminations sound like, I'll hopefully have some basis for making a judgement and will place an order.

In my research, I contacted a supplier of these type products. The person I spoke with suggested that I start with upgrading the outlet before switching terminations. Seems to make sense from the perspective that any upstream improvements may be lost with an "inferior" connection at the outlet.

Then there's the PLC interaction with materials, and quality thereof, in that particular device and the PC's plugged into that device.

Many variables. Any input appreciated.

Best,

Gordon

 

[Dan Osib]

Dan,

Thanks for the info on Sonarquest. Now that I know what my terminations sound like, I'll hopefully have some basis for making a judgement and will place an order.

In my research, I contacted a supplier of these type products. The person I spoke with suggested that I start with upgrading the outlet before switching terminations. Seems to make sense from the perspective that any upstream improvements may be lost with an "inferior" connection at the outlet.

Then there's the PLC interaction with materials, and quality thereof, in that particular device and the PC's plugged into that device.

Many variables. Any input appreciated.

Best,

Gordon

Oh yeah here's some more advice. When terminating your mains cable into the SONARQUEST IEC pins it's important that as well as tightening the screws you must also solder the termination. This will give you the best sound quality. Unfortunately screw terminations tend to loosen over time thus reducing their grip on the cable, this is why it's important to put the solder in there to fill it in and solidify everything, otherwise sound quality will decline over time.

 

[tsv_1]

Oh yeah here's some more advice. When terminating your mains cable into the SONARQUEST IEC pins it's important that as well as tightening the screws you must also solder the termination. This will give you the best sound quality. Unfortunately screw terminations tend to loosen over time thus reducing their grip on the cable, this is why it's important to put the solder in there to fill it in and solidify everything, otherwise sound quality will decline over time.

Go with silver-content solder GG... heck, I'd go with silver plated terminals as well if possible. Maximize continuity.
"Silver - The Cialis of connectivity"

 

[Dan Osib]

Go with silver-content solder GG... heck, I'd go with silver plated terminals as well if possible. Maximize continuity.
"Silver - The Cialis of connectivity"

Unfortunately silver plating (and silver) tarnishes over time. Your best bet is Gold, Rhodium or even Platinum plated solid copper.

 

[Speedskater]

Gold contacts are only for low voltage (and even lower current) contacts. Gold is an excellent contact for phone cartridge and line level audio signals. But current wise Gold is very fragile, Plugging an amp in while it's switched ON can easily blow a hole in the Gold plating.

 

[tsv_1]

Unfortunately silver plating (and silver) tarnishes over time. Your best bet is Gold, Rhodium or even Platinum plated solid copper.

Yep... got me there. Silver Sulphide (tarnish) is actually conductive as well but only to a point wrt buildup. Rhodium is best but also more expensive most cases I think.