Have your say & ask the experts

please explain in detail hoh a mains lead works and do i need to upgrade my extension lead for it to work

 Umm it plugs into the wall socket and allows electricity to flow into your equipment?

:-) 

no s@*t sherlok 'same as a standard one so wat's the difference then?

 Language, Timothy...

The theory is that an audiophile mains cable is better shielded and thus less prone to interference. Some mains products also have some filtering built in to remove noise on the mains caused by other devices connected to the mains supply.

ta very much sir ill keep an eye on the language promised

I've always used the power cable that has come with my kit and never actually bothered with upgrading these particular cables. However, having recently bought a new Pioneer 427XD plasma and also looking to upgrade my dvd player, currently a Pioneer DV-565A, to the new Denon 1940 i'm looking at giving the mains cables an upgrade to make the most of my new toys...

Now, if i use a mains cable upgrade to the plasma/dvd does this do away with the need to upgrade the distribution block? Although i'm thinking upgrading the block will help all devices that run into it (amp/sky+/etc)?

I'm currently looking at the Merlin Tarantula range of mains cables which is currently discounted on their own site, will i really notice a difference?

 Sorry, a lot of questions in there - i guess i'm just looking some reassurance before blowing over £100 on kettle lead upgrades!

thanks, aaron.

Andrew, If I ever post on power cable thread again, please slap me.....hard! 

sorry, in addition to the above - are there other makes/models of mains cables/distribution blocks i should be loking at apart from the Merlin cables?  I have also spotted the Sounds Fantastic blocks at similar prices.

I don't really want to spend a huge amount more than what i'm looking at with the Merlin Tarantula cables, unless i need to.

thanks again

 The power of the placebo effect is truly awesome. Of course a replacement mains lead will have no effect no matter what it's made with.

[quote user="oldphrt"]

 The power of the placebo effect is truly awesome. Of course a replacement mains lead will have no effect no matter what it's made with.

[/quote]

Now that is what happen to me, the Placebo effect was excellent until my mate play a trick on me by replacing the £270 power chord with the cheapy black one without telling me......I listened to music every day for a week without noticed any different!

 The power of the placebo effect is truly awesome. Of course a replacement mains lead will have no effect no matter what it's made with.

I'm not about to launch into a detailed explanation of why this should be, because I don't know anything like enough about physics. But I trust my hearing and I can confidently say that a mains lead change can be among the most cost-effective upgrades around.

You should give some a listen. Many retailers are happy to leave a cheque in their safe in exchange for you spending a weekend auditioning a selection.

The power of the placebo effect is truly awesome. Of course a replacement mains lead will have no effect no matter what it's made with.

Oldphrt Speaking personally, I've found that replacing mains cables can have as significant an effect on a system as replacing the speakers, the amplifier or the source.

Unplugged as opposed to being plugged in, do you mean?
 

I'm not about to launch into a detailed explanation of why this should be, because I don't know anything like enough about physics

That's a shame. I could do with a good laugh.

But I trust my hearing and I can confidently say that a mains lead change can be among the most cost-effective upgrades around.

That's where you are going wrong. Clearly your ears can't be trusted. 

You should give some a listen. Many retailers are happy to leave a cheque in their safe in exchange for you spending a weekend auditioning a selection.

It's like having a discussion with Jehovah's Witnesses. Sigh.

Mains leads don't sound different because they can't. A mains lead either connects the mains to the unit or it doesn't. There are no subtle nuances between the two states.