I’m interested to hear if anyone has directly compared the Powerline to the Chord Epic mains cable. We have a 1m Chord Epic feeding our Chord M6 block and Powerlines from the block to the CD player and amp (both Moon). A third Powerline which was for the Melco (now departed) now resides on our TV! I admit that we chose the Powerlines mainly due to convenience, ie. they are 2m long and very flexible compared to the insanely stiff Chord Epic which would have been frankly impossibe to fit in the space we have the rack in. However we really love the effect of the Powerlines as they give a big fun bouncy sound with superb bass that really suits our system perfectly.
I was wondering what our third Powerline might sound like in place of the Epic on our Chord M6 block. Obviously it can’t just be swapped over due to the Powerline IEC being a C13 and the Epic one a C19 to fit the Chord block. I would have to use an adapter which is really a bit of a no-no on such a costly mains block.
Just wondering if anyone has compared, or indeed if anyone has actually used a Powerline + adapter on a Chord block.
Hi Mike, the problem is that obviously the C19 won’t have the mechanical decoupling of the special Naim designed C13. As I understand it this is a really major factor in the performance. So removing it will mean in effect it is no longer a Powerline and will no longer sound like one.
Decoupling is (as I understand it) all about the Naim unit plug to socket interface, both cable plug and unit case socket are mechanically decoupled.
The Chord plug socket is hard mounted to the case so no decoupling.
The equipment-end plug on the Powerline is probably its most important part - remember that the EU version has a different wall plug. In this case I’d stick with the Chord cable as it has the correct plug to fit the socket on the block. Sell the spare Powerline for the £350 to £400 they usually go for and put the money to good use, such as wine.
That’s true, but dispensing with the decoupled IEC will surely impact on performance. Plus if it doesn’t sound right then I’ve messed up an expensive cable.
I had given up alcohol just before Christmas and haven’t touched a drop since. Now drink alcohol free lager (alcohol free wine being pretty disgusting) but was previously a wine drinker, lager not really being my thing. I do really miss my nightly glass of wine with my nibbles when I’m watching a Blu ray. So I’m thinking ‘what the hell’ - I enjoy a glass of wine so why not?! Plus I think I’ll go back to normal coffee instead of decaff. You only live once. Sorry for the slight diversion.
Wall to power board is Titanex H07RN-F 4mm/2, this is similar to the Powerline cable with unscreened rubber insulation but with a higher insulation voltage. It has the same 4mm/2 conductor size.
Cable to the various units is all Supra LoRad which is screened with a nylon/carbon impregnated semi conductor layer with a copper drain wire. I use screened cable only to the units because it’s slightly crowded and suppressing any possibility of cross cable interference has to be better than none. Size is a mix of 2.5mm/2 and 1.5mm/2.
I also run m6 and powerlines. I did try two types of adapter to get a powerline to the block and did not like the result. On the surface there was a lot more powerline “bounce” but in a long term listen I felt the music lacked bite and was too soft. Almost too much of a good thing. Maybe this was down to the adapter. Anyway I am now on a very short bespoke screened cable to my m6 and much prefer it. Think it’s made with Belden 19364 cable.
