Powerblock/bar

Both are really nice just ordinary blocks in black which is what I needed yeah
Maybe I’ll get a loan one day…

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Maybe you fellows with expensive systems could try the GOOD Stuff !



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I had Denali 2000, good thing if used wisely but nothing special with Naim, sold since moved to the brand

Permaplug 4 way strips have an indicator & fuse.
I use Permaplug 13A plugs on my IEC cables (silver plated pins from HiFi Collective) and Vertere use them on their Redline cables.

Yes, they do look slightly different. Maybe just fuse and no neon. But they are clearly Permaplug in appearance in every other way so maybe either a cunning rip-off or a proprietary version made for them.

I always thought the Permaplug 13A plugs were actually rather better than MK Toughplugs, which seem to distort with 1.5mmsq cables when they are pushed into the cable grip. They seem too thick for the plug to handle and the base starts to bend. I don’t think MK are quite what they used to be. Atlas also use Permaplugs on some of their cables.

Old MK Toughplugs were like safety plugs inside and the fuse holder was on rivets top pic
New ones below have no crimps or rivets and every pin is machined from a single piece.


I’ve posted this on both places just for clarification of detail nothing else. :+1:t2:

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Yes I’ve seen the old Toughplugs and I see what you mean. Do you not find that the base of the new Toughplugs is prone to bending though when pushing a thick cable (not overly thick, just 1.5mm2) into the grip? Or maybe it’s me and I’m doing something wrong?

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Hi
Haven’t found any undue flexibility at all.
I just tried one of these new ones as an experiment I always used safety plugs previous but they do tend to strip out the thread on the contacts if cable is a bit beefy.
Once these plugs are in situ I don’t ever move them unless stripping the system down for a dust.
I bust a gut trying to please my OCD about plug build etc and am perfectly happy with MK Toughplug model number MK 655.
I haven’t found them sore on the cord grip either much less than clamping strip and screws. :+1:t2:
That’s one of mine in the picture.

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I also can not use my hands for anything more difficult than a knife and fork. Hearing you.

With regards to surge clamping, clamping is an electronic term that, instead of being a surge blocker as a coil in series with the supply it clamps surge peaks to earth using MOV’s metal Oxide Varistors. I think this is what is meant in the advertising blurb. I believe the device would be safe to use.

I was unable to load the Russ Andrews website (browser protection software), though I was able to go to a reseller. These power blocks, not to be confused with Surge Blockers/Protection (this can be very confusing with these terms), are quite expensive.

If you have the spare funds, you will be satisfied with them. I used to be an electrician, amongst other things, and I do not wire my own. Do not feel the lesser as you can not either.

Mitch in Oz.

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Agree, I’ve never liked the MK cable grip. It distorts the cable and the distortion get worse over time, more so with movement, and worse with larger cables, I refuse to try to force one on my dual screened 2.5mm.

The Permaplug has a traditional two screw saddle grip that covers a much larger area of cable which gives a more effective grip with far less cable compression. Plus it’s designed to be reversed to accept larger dia cable.

I also like the robust simplicity of the design, as I said in another post, built like the proverbial brick khazi.

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I looked at these to and thought well of until I seen the fuse holder and terminal pieces riveted together.
One piece pin and terminal I like better.
It’s cord grip rated up to 1.5mm2 cable like the MK Toughplug too.
I’ve always seen more compression damage to cable with saddle clamps than the MK slot used properly slid forward into place. :+1:t2:

Permaplug 13A are sized and spec’d for " … 2.5mm flex … "

You adversion to “riveted” parts I feel is misguided, compression (rivet) & spot weld are common and well proven in all forms of electrical mftg, plus they are BSI tested. But whatever, I get your point.

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It’s only a chat about preferences. :wink: :+1:t2:

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I didn’t realise that Toughplugs had changed design and moved away from the wrap-around terminals.

The new layout looks very similar to the Duraplugs from the 90s. One piece terminals and a saddle cord grip, that could almost please everybody :wink:

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@RichardPW
Yes indeed I had previously advocated the safety plugs but decided ferrules and single piece metalwork had to be better.
I think the new MK Toughplugs are superb and pass my OCD nicely.
MK655 is the part number and the letters BLK for black and WHI for white cover tops.
No flexing like others too. :+1:t2:

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I’ve never seen much, if anything really, written about the comparative sound quality of any of these plugs. Except the MS HD Power plug which has been favourably reviewed by at least one hi-fi website.

I suspect that factors that may appear important theoretically do not necessarily correlate well with how these plugs perform in terms of musical or sound quality.

It has been suggested for instance that white or transparent plugs may sound more dynamic due to the effect of carbon used to create the black colour. If that effect exists at all it will most likely be miniscule but perhaps audible in a high end well-tuned system. The quality of metal plating such as silver or gold where used is also relevant. Some people maintain that unplated pins sound better. I think Naim have said this in the past. Also one must consider the plug housing in relation to mechanical resonances and isolation.

Comparing plugs in a system is tedious and time consuming. I for one can’t be bothered so where necessary I just take the lead from manufacturers of mains cables who presumably have done the leg work. The main contenders seem to be the MK Safety and Tough Plug, the Permaplug and the MS HD Power plug. Whatever takes your fancy sir.

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I asked advice on here re ‘hum’ on my system recently and was steered towards a Russ Andrews bar. Bought, no trouble with hum since. Not cheap, but int he long run a good investment.
Takes some balls to get over the ‘but it’s just an extension bar’ reasoning.

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What he said.
Yes plugs I’ve no intention of suggesting SQ variations I purely choose to use what I like and can find no OCD gripes with.
I’ll attach pictures of one in bits below to show what I mean.
Incidentally with very heavy cables you can remove the jaws and the plug top grips insulation with the rib below behind the jaws.
As for colours I think we are of a similar eras when the mags announced forget the box if it’s white it’s right . :joy:


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Yes, there are those who maintain that it’s a load of bo**ocks. There are also people who will tell you that MP3’s played on a 'phone are all that you need to enjoy music.

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I do recall from many years ago there was some debate over NACA4 and 5 sounding different according to whether it was black or white. It was pretty much in the cable dark ages and I don’t think many people paid much heed to it. My dealer told me about it at the time when I was debating which colour to go for. I can’t remember which was supposed to be best. Logic tells me white and I think I did have white NACA4 and later A5. Previous to this I had twisted RS black and red cable. No doubt the red made it faster, as it does with sports cars.

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