Mains extension blocks

Some people may be interested to see the infamous Naim power block as used at Acoustica HiFi show last month and the Statement system it was attached to. Sorry about the image quality (hand held phone pics).

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Looks as though Naim’s cable dressing prowess is almost on a par with my own.

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This makes me feel VERY good. I am NOT a fanatic about cable dressing. I pretty much just let stuff lie where it might back there.

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So the ‘infamous’ block is some MK unswitched sockets, with the back boxes screwed to a bit of MDF. If it wasn’t for the fact that it’s sitting on a Fraim base, you could knock one up for about a tenner.

So you use the Zenith SE USB output into DAC V1? I use the Audiophilleo + PurePower to convert the USB to spdif from a Zenith. It makes a very good source.

I don’t get this star earth thing on the mains block when the system earth is from one box like CDP or ND and then via ICs. I do get that the order the boxes are plugged into my daisy chain of sockets makes a big difference.

Phil

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I’d be interested to know if it makes a difference. Some isolation experts claim that the mains block should be isolated. Any experience?

That’s pretty much it, that’s why it’s infamous. I suppose when your in a Hotel with 100+ other systems all on the go at the same time all using the same electrics I don’t suppose there is much you could do to improve things.

Or maybe it sounds good?

Naim go to great lengths to test their stuff, decouple the cable from the connectors, ‘wiggle’ their cables in the factory, its not like them to cut loose and free with their systems knowing that it might weaken their position.

Why risk their reputation on something as simple to remedy as a mains distribution block?

I have seen the infamous mains distribution block used directly on a carpeted floor. As I say, Perhaps it sounds good? Its easy enough and relatively cheap to make one to give it a go.

… maybe a little more than a tenner, I’ve tried quite a few mains blocks including some mad money ones, thats why I use MK sockets on a bit of MDF

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I use the Musicline Powerigel and it has four little arms with spikes on that isolate the unit. You can see them in the image that Crifo posted above.

I think there are some test information pdf’s on the Musicline website which explains there R&D process and reasons for adding isolation.

I also notice that in one of the naim images I posted you can see they’ve also put the router on a Naim Fraim Base, although I suppose when your the company that actually makes the product there are no cost implications in using Fraim Bases.

Hi Filipe. thanks for the info. I have been waiting for the forthcoming extra box Innuos are making to go with the SE before I decide on any upgrades.

I thought I’d wait and see what they come out with first and see what other audiophiles think is the best option at the time.

It may be that by the time you’ve added extra third party boxes or bought the new box for the SE that it may just be better and as expensive to by the Statement.

I’m currently concentrating on upgrading my Analogue equipment and find I’m playing more vinyl than listening to digital at this moment in time.

So with regards to these power blocks, does one simply wire a cable to a junction then have a green earth to each MK socket from that junction and so forth with the brown active and blue neutral? This I understand to be parallel or star earthed as opposed to linking one MK socket to the next in series.

Is that right?

Mario.

I don’t see it as infamous at all, but purely logical from a naim demonstration point of view.

Using something that they know works for them, that should sound a certain way and that they are familiar with avoids the variables of using anything else. For naim it is part of their system so the performance can be judged accurately when they set up.

Not something I’ve ever tried, as my dedicated mains has enough wall sockets without using a mains block. My dealer says it’s worth doing though, and it’s probably no coincidence that it’s the same dealer that hosts the show in these photos.

You would hope so. But given the responses from members of this forum who have had a listen to such a setup with statements and top focal speakers…you could think otherwise, perhaps Mr Slugworth is behind it all.

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Well OK, maybe a bit more, but a socket and box only costs about a fiver. Not that I’m suggesting it’s a bad way to do it.

Yes - Si
However, with power cables the “star” configuration is called radial
Star earthing with Naim is really concerned with the -ve analogue signal ground
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Exactly Chris, that’s what I’m saying, I’ve tried a lot of the forum favourites & that’s why made my own.

Me neither, I only used the expression ‘infamous’ because thats is how others in the thread referred to it.

I rate MK sockets and plugs and have been making distribution blocks like Naims for many years. I am quite pleased that Naim seemingly endorse the idea. My current system only requires two 13A sockets, so a twin MK socket in a surface back box serves my current system well enough.

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Great, Thank you Mike!