Dedicated mains - Survey

Placing a switch, specially the cicso, next to the hifi is heresy, isnt’ it? :wink:
These things are not only noisy but also ugly.

Besides, I have 12 network cables connected to my Cisco. So it’s hard to put it anywhere else from where it is.

Taiko Audio is going to release its own switch, or more precisely a router, or even both. I don’t know exactly what they intend to do (playing with subnets, something else…?). In any case it seems to be something new, different from what is offered. A different approach to network issues.

There will be something specific for Taiko Extreme server owners and something for everyone else.

I’ve already told Emile from Taiko to reserve one for me, without even knowing what it exactly is! :sweat_smile:

In any case, switches, routers, file servers, etc. all this stuff is in a dedicated network cabinet, with its own dedicated and filtered power. :sunglasses:

But as one should never say never… I have planned 4 dedicated lines. The spare one is just in case :nerd_face:

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May I ask when you trained as an electrician?

Was it just because of your interest in HiFi?

Yes, but decades ago at technical school. I also got a 2nd diploma (if that’s the right English term) for automotive (car mechanic) as I was crazy about cars and motorcycles at that age. Still am but much less. Welding certificates and that kind of stuff came along with it.

Never used any of that professionally as I ended up in IT. But this technical part of my eduction has always served me well for all sorts of hobbies, DIY and a general understanding of how things work and why.

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How was the burn in on your Carbon streaming cable?

Quite some time. The big chunk of the process takes place during the first 2 weeks. But it keeps on changing and refining for 2 months or so. Hard to tell exactly as it a fading process.

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Did that apply to your tests as well as your installation?

Yes and no. The AQ Carbon cable I used for comparing against two others, is the same one I installed later. But with the other two I had to do the burn in too. That was about 2/3 weeks each. You have to stop somewhere. This process was cumbersome and lengthy enough. Not looking forward to do it again. :face_with_spiral_eyes:

If I have BBC Radio3 playing 24/7 on the Naim app to run in an ethernet cable, and I mute the preamp, will the signal still run between my ISP router and my ND5XS2?

Yes…

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Long shot probably but can anyone recommend a dedicated mains installer in South Wales? I realise it should be a simple enough for job any good electrician and there are detailed instructions on here but I just thought I’d ask on the off chance as having someone who’s done it before would be reassuring. Cheers

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Are these circuit breakers and wire specifically made for audio purposes?

Or for some other industry, e.g. medical uses?

Dedicated audio Jim. And they are very good. Same for the Doepke diff switch btw.

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Stu - It might be worth asking your dealer for recommendations on a decent electrician if you don’t get a response on here.

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Yes, for audio.

Also I’m interested to know, and apologies if I’ve missed it, but has anyone compared a dedicated mains supply to their household supply in an A/B type test after the dedicated circuit has had plenty of time to burn in? Presumably this is very easy to do, particularly if using a block, as you can just switch the plug between the dedicated socket and a nearby house socket.

I’ve read quite a few times that it was hard to quantify the benefit as other changes were done at the same time, but I would guess in most cases there’s a general household socket nearby to easily compare post install?

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Great question, Stu.

I’d also be interested to hear of tests done after burn-in of the dedicated circuit.

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Just struck me it’s got to be one of the easiest comparisons to make but you don’t seem to hear of it being done…

By the way, wouldn’t this thread be better in the hi-fi section :thinking:

Yes I have done this. At first inadvertently as I used my old 6mm dedicated mains for the tv equipment after installing 10mm radials for the hifi.

A few months later I was doing something to the mains and disconnected the tv. After I finished I found for about 3 days that the tv picture looked rather flat and lacking in punch. When I started to investigate I found that I had plugged it into the household ring mains, and when changed back to the 6mm dedicated radial the picture restored to its previous better quality.

I also tried with my meridian transport and dac plugging them into a shared 10mm radial then into two separate 10mm radials. The latter was very noticeably better.

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Yes I’ve done this quite a few times.

In my setup is easy to switch from the spur to a household socket (thus in-wall wiring, standard MCB & diff switch, standard earth from in the CU etc). I connect a 4m cable from the power strip to the wall socket. That cable is the same as my spur with the same connector at the power strip side.

I can’t understand reports (apparently) that it’s hard to quantify. The improvement is very substantial. There’s little value in pouring out the usual audio lingo. But given the relative low cost of a well set up spur, I couldn’t name another ‘upgrade’ with a better result vs. investment. It’s essential to any decent hifi system imo.

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