Home made power cable
Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: And the rest
Forum Name: Power Sources
Forum Description: Where the power comes from has always been a hot topic - even more so now with new World legislation
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2693
Printed Date: 26 Mar 2026 at 10:54pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Home made power cable
Posted By: FAT2BIKER
Subject: Home made power cable
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2015 at 7:46am
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Thinking of making my own power cable. Finding cables, plugs are not to hard but ferrite sleeves or rings are a different thing. I know nothing about them, do I need them, and if so what spec do I need. I have tried the web but can not find what I am looking for. So can any body point me in the right direction for specs and where to buy if that is allowed. Cheers Dave ------------- Dave |
Replies:
Posted By: Drewan77
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2015 at 9:29am
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Hi Dave I have made various 3-core & 2-core power cables over the years, outer braid sheathed, some including Furutech IEC connectors. Whether these are benfeficial or not is another matter but IMO, they do no harm. The braiding may help shield the spaghetti of GSP Lautus/Spatia mixed up with power cables behind my system  As you are local to me (Wirral-Chester), you are welcome to come over as I am in the process of making a couple of 3-core braided IEC leads. ------------- Older than I once was, younger than I'll be ............................. Andrew |
Posted By: FAT2BIKER
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2015 at 11:00am
Thanks for the kind offer Andrew I will give it a miss at the moment if you don't mind. The census of opinion seams to be split over its benefits, and saving up to buy the spatial cables might be a better way to go. I was just after information about the use of ferrite sleeves. Thanks once again Andrew. Cheers Dave ------------- Dave |
Drewan77 wrote:Posted By: Richardl60
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2015 at 6:49pm
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Hi in much the same way I wouldn't recommend making your own phono stage I wouldn't recommend making a mains cable. To do either properly needs a lot or r&d. I have invested a lot of time and money in cables to significant benefit and with the RIGHT well engineered cables the benefits are large. Generally my mains cables have exceeded the benefit of hardware upgrades. I upgraded my mains JUST to my PSU and would far rather have kept my ERA GOLD V with the upgraded mains than my REVALATION with stock cable as supplied. Most reputable specialist cable suppliers provide 60 day money back so not much to loose, providing the right cable is chosen. My cables do come with blue ferrite rings as standard but not sure I am qualified to say what benefit they provide. I have always found the benefit if mains cables exceed interconnects, I thought so with speaker cables too until my latest fab upgrade ( at a cost). Happy shopping Richard |
Posted By: ServerBaboon
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2015 at 7:03pm
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You can by searching online find some DIY mains cable kits using LAPP Control cable which is Double shielded starting from £10. Having a long chat with one specialist mains cable manufacture (small) he was convinced that contact resistance played a major role in quality so spending a bit more on the plugs will yield more results. Although not mains cables I am sure I have seen Graham mention that the Quality of the connecters on the interconnects meant that they were a large factor in the cable pricing, that and skilled Yorkshire labour. ------------- Steve ------------- Various bits of GSP Kit ..well two so far, unless you count the cables that is. |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2015 at 7:14pm
Not forgetting insulation... http://www.ultracad.com/articles/propagationtime.pdf ------------- That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: Richardl60
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2015 at 8:09pm
| Yes I agree that well designed plugs for whatever application appear to have a disproportionate impact and surprising! |
Posted By: FAT2BIKER
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2015 at 8:28pm
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Thank you gentlemen, looks like I will stick with my kettle lead for the time being. Just one more question gold plating, is it done for sonic reasons or just to stop oxidation. As I am shure I read some where copper is a better conductor than gold. Cheers Dave ------------- Dave |
Posted By: Richardl60
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2015 at 11:14pm
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Can't give you the technicalities but oxidisation is one key issue. Silver tends to be used as a superior plug contact on some of the better plugs. Richard |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2015 at 11:47am
Oi, Richard, get a chemistry book mate!  'Cos it seems to me you're being misled, and in the process it's misleading everybody else.  Silver and copper are the number one and two most conductive metals, but as both are chemically reactive, they are poor contact materials. They oxidise and tarnish. This is why the mainstream uses gold - because it's just about inert (for the want of a better word) and only the most dangerous chemicals are able to "attack it" - like cyanide!  Gold also has the ability to stave off electrolytic corrosion between it and any other metal, so a tin-plated connector can be mated with a gold plated connector and no corrosion forms between. However, gold isn't as conductive as silver or copper, and is soft so gets worn down easily. Therefore for military, medical and computer uses, they alloy gold with copper, and that makes it 1. more conductive, and 2. much harder. And that gold just happens to be 9 carat, and not the 18-24 carat hi-fi customers think is best... (not)  ------------- That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: Richardl60
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2015 at 3:31pm
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You are correct I did only achieve a grade E Chemistry O'level!!!! I did say I wasn't commenting on the technicalities (i.e. not on oxidisation) but merely from a contact (and indeed) conductivity vs gold. By my own observations my gold does inded appear more resistant to tarnishing etc from my gold plated contacts on my Furutech Mains plugs. Always good to hear the techniacl side though one good thing about silver at least it matches my hair!!  Regards Richard
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Posted By: DaveG
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2015 at 4:24pm
Beryllium Copper. Silver, Gold & Rhodium are just so last season. 
EDIT: more seriously I have been using Audio Asylum leads. Belden 19364 fully shielded copper, with a Wattgate 320i & MK toughplug, £65 assembled. Cheaper as a DIY kit. They are at least as good as my Reference Powerkords which I bought for abt £240 each about 10 years ago, when I had money to burn. ------------- Dave Michell Gorbe + HR PSU -> Cadenza Bronze -> SME V -> Elevator -> Accession -> Proprius -> B&W CM6 s2 | Cusat 50 & Spatia cables -> 
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Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2015 at 5:33pm
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People Sometimes Like Cold Meals At Zoos In Thailand Leaving Curious Strong Gorillas Puzzled. I think that's what I used many years ago to remember some of the Reactivity Series. Potassium Sodium Lithium Calcium Magnesium Aluminium Zinc Iron Tin Lead Copper Silver Gold Platinum (I think this is what I was supposed to recall, in descending order of chemical reactivity) |
Posted By: Richardl60
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2015 at 5:49pm
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Hi I used to own a Reference powekord whilst good believe their performance can be bettered quite easily and to me they are or were well over priced. On a scale of 0-10 vs my current power leads I would score the above a 4 or 5? Furutech provide a much tighter plug fit whether iec or 13A three pin. Richard |
Posted By: FAT2BIKER
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2015 at 6:28pm
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So gold plated it is then. And if I ever get spliced I will tell the better half that 9 carats much better than 24. If she does not agree I will point her in MR Slee`s direction. Cheers Dave ------------- Dave |
Posted By: FAT2BIKER
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2015 at 7:36pm
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Just a couple of queries if you buy a gold plated plug, connector, banana etc is every metal part gold plated or does this depend on the price you pay. What solder would you use to tin the bare wires. The stuff I have had for the last forty years, Eutectic 63/37, Quad eutectic resin core or Cardas quad solder or something else. Cheers Dave ------------- Dave |
Posted By: Richardl60
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2015 at 8:10pm
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My furutech mains are 24k gold plated. I am not sure over my wbt and eichman think they are plated also but not 100% sure. Hope this helps Richard |
Posted By: FAT2BIKER
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2015 at 8:28pm
Thanks Richard. Cheers Dave ------------- Dave |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2015 at 9:29pm
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Gold bullion is also 24k and you'll probably have noticed in movies people biting it to see if its real?? It's because it really is that soft. Rings made of it easily go out of shape too. Therefore it seems a bit daft using it on wiping mating surfaces where it simply ends up as micro-dust particles, leaving the base metal showing through. Basically all 24k gold plate is hi-fi jewellery, period. But because it's so popular even we can't sometimes avoid using it (often no other choice), but our phono sockets are less pure - they're more hard-wearing - more copper in the alloy. ------------- That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: FAT2BIKER
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2015 at 9:52pm
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Looking in the interwebwindow, it appears if you wont a gold plated 13a plug its going to be 24c whether you like it or not. And the difference in price is about 50 to 100% over the copper version. Cheers Dave ------------- Dave |
Posted By: Drewan77
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2015 at 9:54am
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Although I remain to be convinced that power cables have as big an impact as others hear, I can thoroughly recommend regenerated 230v AC to run a hifi system. When I originally installed a Power Inspired AG1500 PSU unit in my music room, the positive effect it had on music was immediate and very noticeable. ------------- Older than I once was, younger than I'll be ............................. Andrew |
Posted By: FAT2BIKER
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2015 at 2:41pm
Andrew The money the AG1500 cost will buy a lot of music, I think that's what I would spend it on. But I suppose it will depend on how long you have spent getting your system to sounds its best. Each to there own, not getting at you. Cheers Dave
------------- Dave |
Posted By: FAT2BIKER
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2015 at 2:51pm
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Regarding plugs or bare wire for speaker cables. If you had your cable ends gold plated would this give you a better connection to the binding posts, than plugs. That's if you can get this done of cause. Also Ferrites, anybody fitted them to speaker cables, if so did they do any thing. Cheers Dave
------------- Dave |
Posted By: Richardl60
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2015 at 10:08pm
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No I haven't though my cable specialist advise that unlike mains and analogue interconnects any benefits are very marginal. Richard |
Posted By: FAT2BIKER
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2015 at 1:17pm
Richard Only asked the question, as I came across a site called Select45rpm.com. They said sticking them on to there speaker cables made a big difference. But not every body`s ears are the same, plus they seam to think changing most cables are a waste of money. Cheers Dave
------------- Dave |
Posted By: Richardl60
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2015 at 5:35pm
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Thanks Dave, as I said I cannot comment on any personal experiences but I do believe that there is likely to be science involved in the size and location of the ferrite ring(s), though if you try some it would interesting to know the results, if tried and no benefit there isn't too much lost! I did struggle to find speaker cables to provide an overall benefit over my last standing ones (better here worse there) before finding one that was consistently better. My experiences have shown that mains and then interconnects have provided the biggest cable improvements (all mine come with Ferrite rings as standard) until I acquired my latest speaker cables at a great price though at retail of >£1,500 without termination they should be, 'remarkable' I would say. That said, as commented on other threads I have found that top quality speaker terminations have generally provided a bigger gain than speaker cables until now. I think I have looked at this site once before, probably easy to lose an hour or two on it! Kind regards Richard
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Posted By: FAT2BIKER
Date Posted: 18 Nov 2015 at 2:44pm
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It looks like next year now if I do get round to trying the ferrites. If it happens I will let you know. Cheers Dave ------------- Dave |
Posted By: DaveG
Date Posted: 18 Nov 2015 at 4:57pm
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Never heard of them being used on speaker cable. My understanding is that Ferrites are most often used in electrically noisy environments - Think pc & monitor leads etc. I can't say I've heard any sonic benefits from using ferrites. I have a couple of ferrites that came loose with my active studio monitors & I tried them on my mains leads in the main system and couldn't hear any difference at all. The Lautus have ferrites at calculated positions, and I do believe I heard a marginal difference between a Cusat & a Lautus, but the Lautus was far longer so not exactly like for like. In the end I settled on the Cusat, which is properly screened anyway. Ferrites seem a bit belt 'n' braces to me. My ears, my system etc. ------------- Dave Michell Gorbe + HR PSU -> Cadenza Bronze -> SME V -> Elevator -> Accession -> Proprius -> B&W CM6 s2 | Cusat 50 & Spatia cables ->
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Posted By: FAT2BIKER
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2015 at 8:48pm
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You could be right Dave. If you spend a couple of hours on the interweb , you will become confused about every thing hifi. Read what the guy from blue jeans cables thinks about power cables . Try audioholics.com/audio-video-cables/power-cables or audioholics.com/eduction/cables/power-cables a good read if you have half an hour to spare, you my agree or you might not. Any whey have ordered some ferrites, only cost the price of a couple of pints, so will give them a try and let you know. It appears if your amps etc are built correctly you should not need fancy power cables etc as your equipment should filter all the rubbish out for you, but then what do I know. I like the sound my system gives me, I could not tell you why, I don't know what a sound stage is or if the singer is to the left/right or in front or behind. I could not make a living reviewing HIFI products that's for sure., I can feel as song coming on. Andrew his not sure if power cables make any difference, where Richard is certain they do, both know a lot more about what there equipment sounds like, than I do about mine, and can put it in to words yet on power cables they come from different ends of the spectrum.. So I think its down to the connection between those sticky out things on ether side of your head and your brain. Cheers Dave ------------- Dave |
Posted By: DaveG
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2015 at 2:34pm
Indeed that's true. Interesting reading on that site, refreshingly bullsh*t free. Never tried any of their cables though... they are far too cheap ------------- Dave Michell Gorbe + HR PSU -> Cadenza Bronze -> SME V -> Elevator -> Accession -> Proprius -> B&W CM6 s2 | Cusat 50 & Spatia cables ->
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Posted By: FAT2BIKER
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2015 at 3:26pm
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Well tried the ferrites on the arm cables first, could not make out any difference, then the power cables again no difference. Put them on to the speaker cables, my be a smidge better separation. I will leave them on for 3 or 4 weeks and then take them off, and see if I can tell any difference as this appears the best way to do it, plus I have a bad leg, getting up from the floor gives me some right jip  Cheers Dave ------------- Dave |
Posted By: LOINER
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2015 at 5:16pm
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Dave hope I am not teaching my grandmother how to suck eggs but do you realise you cant just put the ferrites on the cable at any position it has to be scientifically worked out for them to work at their best. In fact Graham has written about this somewhere on the forum(but I will be damned if I can find it) ------------- STUART SOLO ULTRA LINEAR DIAMOND EDITION LAUTUS DUAL MONO 1.5M INTERCONNECTS GRAM AMP 2SE |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2015 at 9:22pm
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Stuart is right. This thread includes Graham explaining to me where to fit the ferrite on one of my mains cables and may help you. http://audio-forum.gspaudio.co.uk/power-cords_topic1506_page3.html?KW=ferrite - Mains cable ferrites ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: LOINER
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2015 at 10:27pm
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Thank you Jon, I knew somebody would come along that would know where to find the relevant thread. ------------- STUART SOLO ULTRA LINEAR DIAMOND EDITION LAUTUS DUAL MONO 1.5M INTERCONNECTS GRAM AMP 2SE |
Posted By: FAT2BIKER
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2015 at 8:27pm
Stuart If your right about it having to be scientifically worked out, well I am wasting my time. Will still leave them on for 3 or 4 weeks any how, if no different, I will try them on the telly. Cheers Dave ------------- Dave |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2015 at 10:20pm
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Hi Dave, I may be able to help by applying the advice graham gave me. Do you know what material your cable insulation is made of? If not can you tell me the manufacturer details so I can find out. Either way I can work out how far from the mains plug to fit your ferrites and you can try it. ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2015 at 10:53pm
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I'm sure the above would work better if the mains socket was an earthed metal clad type which acts as an enclosure. And if the supply to it was a radial steel wire armoured cable direct from the fuse-board/consumer unit. It would make more sense. ------------- That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: FAT2BIKER
Date Posted: 26 Nov 2015 at 3:32pm
Jon The power cables are just standard, as you would get with any electrical equipment,1.8 metres in length. Speaker cables are Van damme uplcofc 4mm, 2metres in length. Hope that helps. Cheers Dave
------------- Dave |
Posted By: FAT2BIKER
Date Posted: 26 Nov 2015 at 3:38pm
Thanks Jon Cheers Dave ------------- Dave |