Bottlehead Forum
Bottlehead Kits => Bottlehead Power Cord Kit => Topic started by: lextek on March 10, 2012, 01:56:11 PM
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If I don't use any kind of power conditioner, plain ole socket. Would there be a worthwile gain from the cord kit? If not how about some recomendations for "economical" power conditioners.
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I am no expert on power conditioners but I did upgrade my Foreplay and Paramounts with the power cord kits and it was worth every penny. I can't put the improvement to words but they just sound better. When I built the first kit I changed one Paramount and ran the pair with one of each and the sound was definitely better on the side with the new cord. I live in an apartment where I should use power conditioning but I haven't gone that route yet. With the cords in place I am a happy camper for now.
Cheers
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Thanks
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The first power upgrade I ever did was an improved power cord. I heard the difference and it stayed.
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yessir, i have two, one for the sex amp and one for the extended foreplay, and they are better sounding than the two ps audio statement cords i had bought (used) on audiogon. wonderful stuff!! don
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Dang!
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yessir, i have two, one for the sex amp and one for the extended foreplay, and they are better sounding than the two ps audio statement cords i had bought (used) on audiogon. wonderful stuff!! don
Now you are going to make me buy more. I'll need one to feed the P300 that feeds my system.
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someone gave me a expensive name brand power station-so i opened it up-inside we find-a potted choke-i could not open that without damaging it--doing some measuring and math-it appears to be about 29 henrys so make that 30 henrys--this is across a pair of hospital grade outlets or hubbards or something along those lines-across the ac line is a flat safety cap-i did not open the heat shrink that covered it-so making some assumptions
a hammond 195P10 choke [30 henrys 10 amps ] $92.97 --a pair of hospital grade outlets $13.00 each-a safety cap $2.00 ???
a switch and a light to let you know it is on $10.00-a enclosure $30 to $50-lets say $175 for easy math
what i have is about $1200.00-i have not used this unit yet- it is not needed here at the moment-i am not really certain what running ac through a choke will do or is supposed to do-after i post this i will do some reading on the subject
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Bob, I have for many years been building power cords. I have checked Doc's method of building his power cord, and I will go out on a limb to say that If you are replacing a standard $3.00 power cord that comes with most audio components, Doc's power cord will be a big improvement right out of the wall. I won't get into any theories here.
There is one other thing that can make it better, and that is to have an electrician upgrade the wall receptacle. Yes, you can break the bank when purchasing some wall receptacles. I have done a lot of research on the make up of these devices, and the one I would strongly recomend is by Pass &Seymour. Part# 5252-icn. These are uaually the only ones I use with great sucess. I have no financial interest in this company.
Bernie.
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howardnair,
The OP asked about power cords. The power "conditioner" thread is a whole 'nother animal altogether. You should start one. I have heard some that work and some that just cost.
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For a good economical DIY conditioner, try the Felicia. You can find over at AC, in the lab...John
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I got the power cord kit with the crack, very happy with it. I have a PS audio I bought used some time ago $250.00 new, and it is no better. Also it has no right angle connector and is stiff as hell, don't even use it anymore. Try not to go too far off topic, but you did ask. I have crappy power, I think they use a bunch of mice in treadmills. I ended up installing a dedicated line, and I bought a PS audio regenerator, expensive, but for me worth it.
Cheers,
Shawn
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Thanks for that, Coca...
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I agree with Bernie -- a wall outlet upgrade can be a substantial improvement. I have a couple of the outlets he mentions in my Pi Audio Rev B. Buss and they seem to be just fine. I also really like the Jena Labs cryoed 20 amp outlets (and yes, you can use these on a 15 amp circuit and with 15 amp male plugs). These are $50 each and easily beat the pants off both the cryoed Oyaide SWO-XXX and SWO-GX outlets I have (and will soon be selling off.) A little dab of the Jena Labs contact enhancer (non-conductive) on the plug (and even when installing the outlets) will probably knock your socks off.
BTW, I don't use a power conditioner in my listening room -- dedicated 20 amp circuit, a pair of the Jena Labs outlets, and basically stock power cords (inexpensive), and the system is the cleanest I've ever had.
I now use the Pi Buss in the living room system as that is on the oriiginal house wiring which has all kinds of other stuff on it, and there it does a wonderful job.
I will use my BH power cord with my stereomour and will probably build a few others for my other BH pieces.
HTH,
Jim
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If I don't use any kind of power conditioner, plain ole socket. Would there be a worthwile gain from the cord kit? If not how about some recommendations for "economical" power conditioners.
The answer to the first question is "Yes!" power cords can make a very positive improvement. And the first thing to upgrade after your power cords is your outlet (hospital grade are ~$10). A good Hubbell dead front plug and a Hospital grade outlet you will see how grippy the pair are for much cheaper than many others. If you like it go big!
Then there are a whole sea of power "conditioners."
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If that's the stuff Jennifer used to use as contact enhancer it's similar to dielectric grease used for automotive distributors. That works nicely.
I believe that "dimethylpolysiloxane oxide" is also called simethicone. It's a great cure for flatulence.
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AC power has always been a fascination for me. I have messed with it since I was a kid. As I became more aware of the crap that we call electricity in our homes, I have tried numerous devices, for the sake of experiment, on power lines and equipment. In my town (and probably yours too), some kind of filtration/protection is an excellent idea. The trick is knowing chaff from wheat. Earlier in this thread, someone wrote that they had a $1,200 conditioner that amounted to not much more than a choke, an mov, a switch, a light, and a box to put them in. It was maybe $200 in parts. Get used to the idea that there is a sea of companies dying to take your money. I have a Brick Wall filter made by a company of the same name, and it uses the parts mentioned above. I believe that it cost me $250, and yes, worth every penny that I paid for it. It doesn't improve the sound, but it does give me piece of mind. I did upgrade it however with a PS Audio power port, only because of the grip, and then installed an IEC outlet so that I could use the cord that I wanted. The only other concept that I think is worthwhile is one that uses balanced power by means of a regenerator or transformer. My two cents...