Changing hifi sound (aka "Am I crazy?")

[Diapason]

My ample gut says the same. Plus, main fusebox is on the opposite side of one wall, and main esb meter is on the other wall (outside obviously.) Interestingly, I had an experience recently where I was happily listening and suddenly the sound quality collapsed. I immediately asked Hazel if she'd done anything, and apparently she'd just put on the kettle and electric oven. Anecdotal I know, but a sign that a dedicated ring might be a good start.

[Ivor]

Anecdotal I know, but a sign that a dedicated ring might be a good start.

Well it's as good an indication as any. I suspect you'll end up doing it anyway so....

[Fran]

I don't know if UPS is worth it. I have one here and use it... but most of them only cut in below 190V -don't know how adjustable that value is. Also, when it runs, its almightly loud - and theres a low level hum out of it all the time. Not enough to disturb my listening where I sit, but if you were closer to it, then it might bother you. Then there's the size of it. You' need a fairly hefty UPS to run a pair of monoblock valve amps I suspect... prob a 1 kW at minimum.

Dedicated line would probably help a lot. But you won't know til you have it in. I keep meaning to do the extra earth bar too, but never got to it (my place is fairly newly built so not too bad maybe). I'd go that route before buying more equipment. Can you justify the wiring by using an excuse to wire in some new lamps or some other ruse?


Fran

[Diapason]

Fran, the particular flavour of UPS I'm looking at is double conversion, where it converts back to dc and then regenerates 'pure' ac. Now, some do a better job than others, cut the audiophile regenerators would seem to be just double conversion UPS with a quieter fan and a nice badge. Still, the noise would bother me and I'm also concerned about the extra heat. The monos are pumping out plenty as it is! At some point I'm sure a PS Audio regeneration unit will pop up in the shop and I'll borrow it...

My understanding is that getting a dedicated ring wouldn't even cost that much, so I'll start there at some point. Well, it costs more if you wire it with Valhalla, but I think I'll forgo that. Problem is I've recently been reintroduced to a home organ solution called Hauptwerk and I think that's going to have first dibs in the unlikely event any spare money pops up. I need a euromillions win!

[Rocker]

Si,



It will cost in the region of €200 for a dedicated mains spur for your hi-fi, add another €50 for a seperate earth and you are done. Less than the cost of a pair of interconnects. And worth a lot more.

[Diapason]

Wow! That sounds like a no-brainer, I bust assumed it would be more than that. Thanks Rocker.

[Ivor]

Wow! That sounds like a no-brainer, I bust assumed it would be more than that. Thanks Rocker.

No it's very cost effective and a once off. Plus, unlike interconnects or individual mains leads, it will clean up the entire system. I'm sure persons here can advise on what sort of mains cable to use.

[Fran]

I think the one I've seen recommended before is Sil... something or other. Basically its a metal sheathed cable and you can earth the sheath to act as a shield. Might not be that important. I actually used them in my workshop where I have hanging leads from the roof where some of the heavier bits of machinery are. Its code that the hanging leads have a metal sheath.

But, if it was my own system, I'd be running 6sq cable too a distribution box at the back of the hifi, with a earth point taken from there via heavy copper to the ground spike, and then a series of individual unswitched trailing sockets from there. Said ground spike to be some 1" or 1 1/2" copper pipe driven down into the ground and the top left slightly up so I could fill it with water. Copper strap to be firmly bonded to the pipe - preferably soldered. That would give you a local star ground.

TBH, I'd say you'd end up paying a bit more than 200 depending on the distance from the fuseboard. 6sq joins back to this fuseboard to its own breaker.

But don't take my advice - check with an electrician who can make sure the work meets code and won't affect house insurance etc etc etc.. Didn't Ciaran have someone do sensitive work a while back?

Fran

[fergus]

I think the one I've seen recommended before is Sil... something or other. Basically its a metal sheathed cable and you can earth the sheath to act as a shield. Might not be that important.

That would be sylflex cable Fran and it is shielded which is handy around speakers if they themselves are not shielded.

[Rocker]

Si, I had a dedicated mains supply installed for our music room [check on my older posts which details this work]. My electrician could not get two 6 sq T&E into a 13 amp socket so I decided to use 3 runs of 2.5 T&E and an additional 2.5 earth wire. Our music room is quite a distance from the MCB panel but the installation work was easy as we live in a bungalow. Result, less compressed sound which is less exciting to listen to but easier to listen to for longer. And more natural too. Easy to compare with the 'old' too as it remains in place.

Price was in the region that I wrote, it would be more difficult and expensive if you have a two or three story house as floorboards may have to be lifted and refitted etc.