Mains extension blocks

I only used the term infamous because every time it’s mentioned or a picture of it appears it usually creates a lot of discussion.

I have nothing against it, I’m confident Naim knows what is best and what works for a Naim System.

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Hi Mike. Interested to know what cable did you use to connect to the mains plug?

Hi Mr Chips, the cable is LAPP Olflex Classic 100 CY
Its a 3 core 2.5mm OFC shielded flex
The shield (screen) is connected to the earth terminal at the power input (13A plug) end only & floating at the appliance (MK socket board) end.

Its a nice cable, only problem is with an external diameter of 11.8mm, its about as chunky at they come for a 2.5mm cable. Because of the diameter the plug needs to be able to handle that size, I use MS HD Power 13A

I‘ve just bought Wireworld Matrix 2 (EU). I was surprised it is labeled „10A 2500W“ as MAX output.
Is it OK for hi-end audio? Shouldn‘t it be 16A 3500w?

The IEC320 inlet plug/socket on the Wireworld is a C13 / C14 type, its rated at 10 amps

Cheers Mike for information.

Picking up a Musicworks reflex G3 tomorrow after some favourable reviews…back soon.

I use the WW Matrix (UK) for 555PSDR (powering NDX), Olive Supercap (powering 52), 2*135s and a Roksan DS1.5 (powering TMS and Artaxerxes). It works really well, and the rating’s never been an issue.

Interesting. So does it mean that these cables can’t work with higher than 10A current? Or this is just silly theoretical standart. It seems that 99 percent of power cables are of C13 type (10A in EU).

Yes its a theoretical standard, 10 amps is the current flow point at which the plug contacts temperature has risen by 1’C.
So yes the cables can work with more current, but I’m not sure I know of a home audio system that pulls 10 amps.

I suppose theoretically a Statement into 4 ohm speakers could get there. The NAP S1 has a rating of 1,500W into a nominal 4 ohm load, so a pair driven flat out would pull 12A or so in the U.K., and in Europe around twice that. Obviously that’s pretty theoretical, I think it’s pretty unlikely any Statement or similar superamp will be run from a mains block, and in most real world scenarios I suspect eardrums would pop before the fuse.

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Don’t confuse speaker output power with the amps input consumption, they don’t equate. OK it’ll pull more at high volumes & low impedance speakers, but its not simple math. I would need to go check stuff to get the numbers, but not tonight.
Also UK & European power is the same, nominal 230v & 50Hz, amp draw in USA will be aprx double as its voltage is 120v & 60Hz

Fair point on the input/output Mike, it’s a long time since I didn’t listen well enough to my lecturers, and I have no idea why I wrote Europe, I intended to write US.

I guessed as much.

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Why would it take twice that in Europe?

Slip of the brain, as I admitted above to Mike, I meant US, and somehow got distracted.

Hmm, could it really be true? Maybe only several low quality extension blocks introduce noise?

I think 90 percent of mains extension blocks (specifically design for Hi-End audio equipment) have surge protection. Even very prestigious manufacturers do extension blocks with surge protection (for example Audioquest Niagara 1000)

And what about computer PSUs?. I think all of them have some kind of surge protection build in them. Could they also ruin audio quality? Quote from Corsair Rm1000x:

“Over-voltage protection, under-voltage protection, short circuit protection, over power protection, and over temperature protection provide maximum safety to your critical system components.”

If they ruin audio quality, maybe it is possible to use some kind of filtering, which wouldn’t let electric noise coming from computer go back to mains? Maybe Supra DC-blocker or some kind Uninterruptible Power Supply connected to computer?

Luc, it has certainly been my experience thus far with Naim equipment. But I haven’t tested all strips so maybe there’s one out there with minimal impact on Naim system sound performance. Who knows?

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FWIW I tried various mains extension blocks in the early years which always changed the sound (usually for the brighter) but never better. What really made a difference was a dedicated Consumer Unit and 10mm2 T&E dedicated feeds for each of XPS/SC/300PS. Crabtree or similar switched wall sockets. That really made the system sing…

:small_blue_diamond:Found a picture of how…
“WireWorld Matrix 2” powerstrip looks like under the shell.

Wireworld Matrix 2 https://www.flickr.com/photos/85314197@N08/15285974910

/Peder🙂

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