Re Audioquest, the OP is not looking for anything with power conditioning.
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You were sniped.
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Lucky escape got the Mark Grant yet ? 
Nope! But rang him today and ordered the single socket version with just the four sockets so none of the electricity can escape from the unused ones. Should arrive on Monday!
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Hi Mark, did you understand what I said about turning the sockets
180-degrees to suit your prefered 13A plug cable exit direction.
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Yes thanks. Fortunately when I rang he asked me how I wanted everything orientating so all should be good. Thanks again.
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Not silly at all. These with the Mark Grant block will give you a really excellent mains solution. If not too late you could ask him to wire an IEC in-line socket to the block (C14) instead of having it hard wired with a cable. This would enable you to use a Powerline on the block to the wall socket. This is the most important cable - more so than those from block to equipment. So unless you can afford another Power Line for this then just use one of your 3 and use a Lite from the block instead.
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Ok. So whilst Iâm waiting for the Mark Grant one to arrive, I thought Iâd investigate building my own! Had t really considered it before posting but I now really fancy having a go having seen other peopleâs efforts!
I liked the look of the Russia Andrews back to back block and I think it will look very neat with my system. Iâm thinking of these components and realise people will have thoughts!
Hi again Mark, good to see you are having a go at your own.
All your suggested parts are good âŚ.. I personally would not go with the Belden cable as itâs a bit stiff. If you really do want a screened cable, Supra LoRad 2.5mm is more flexible and as it happens the one I use.
If you go for a screened cable, ensure the drain wire is connected to power earth only at the power input end, leaving the output end floating. This allows the screen to act as an earth-grounded conduit (Faraday Cage).
If itâs connected at both ends, the screen simply becomes part of the earth conductor.
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Thanks. What other option would you suggest?
I can see your suggestion now - sorry.
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Snag!
This is what I was aiming for (or similar), but having now invested a not inconsiderable sum on full fat power lines (yes I know!), I have realised that this configuration would not work as they are so stiff they would lift the block off the ground. I could raise it up but that would look daft. I could invert the plugs like Russ Andrews does, but again I think that would not look as neat as a flat block. This solution would have worked beautifully with the power line lites, but I have replaced them all.
I really wanted to make this block (I had sourced all the components - about ÂŁ50 and borrowed a stripping and crimping tool) but itâs not going to work. No point building something like the Mark Grant one I have coming, so unless things change my little project is at an end. Thanks to all for advice and interest.
Donât get a Russian one. Itâll be bugged.
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I would just stick with the Mark Grant block and Powerlines if I were you. Itâs a great solution and requires no messing about - just plug and play. Unless youâre experienced and proficient at building your own, as @Mike-B and @Skeptikal then I really think youâre better off just forgetting it. It may just lead to problems as youâve already found out.
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When I made my block, various stages of its build/parts were on my computer desk, right in front of me, for about 8 months.
I finished a cabinet this week to house my RO set-up. This took about 2 months on-off to make.
Iâve made a pole and brackets to hang new bird feeders. This took about 6 weeks.
Not constant every day work, but thinking, sourcing, build and time to consider. Rushing things or just asking for advice doesnât work for me.
Just saying.
Nobody could accuse you of rushing things if it took you 8 months to build a mains block! I wouldnât even attempt anything like decorating the house if I were you - youâll be still doing it several years later! Only kidding! Iâm very similar. It takes me ages from when I plan a project to actually getting all the bits and pieces together and then actually doing anything about it. I spend an awful lot of time thinking and pondering on things. Many years ago at my parents house when I was putting a pair of Linn Kan wall brackets up I was taking absolutely ages measuring up and pondering on exactly the right position for them. My dad said to me that he would have completed the job by now and I hadnât even started it! He was right - he had them up in about half an hour!
It was 8 months because I wanted everything right. Start off with the question âwhat is the best postion for the mains plugs relative to the system?â My answer was 1.5m up on the wall, to let the Power Lines drop perfectly without touching anything. So I want a block of 6 sockets 1.5m high, directly fed from the cu, isolated from the wall, using the best sockets, connected together using 3x c101 copper rails all housed in pretty exotic hardwood⌠takes time, no rush and 17 years later itâs still there and I havenât thought or seen a better method.
See Birding Time, Your localâŚthread, just now.
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Sounds very impressive and very well conceived. Any chance of some pictures? I would be fascinated to see this.
Photos of it are on a disc that doesnât play on my Mac.
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