I am looking for an affordable power distribution solution for my setup.
As I have to run all my cables into a single cutout in my Tv/Hifi furniture, I am looking to be able to at least shield my power cables. In order to do that I would need to change my power bar (Brennenstuhl, that has surge protection AND a HF filter, wich from everything I am reading over here is far from ideal…), as the cable runs parallel to my speakers wires that are not shielded.
I found some no-nonsense shielded power cords from Rowen (I live in Switzerland so I need at least the cable from the mains socket to the power bar to have a swiss connector), they also make power bars with all swiss plugs and only a surge protector, but I would prefer a EU Schuko type bar more as 99% of cables come in that type of connection, if I decide one day to go down the rabbit hole of fancy power cables.
To resume, I am looking for a power bar/distribution:
Unfiltered, surge protection or not
Modular input power cable, to be able to fit a swiss plug from to wall to it
Preferably star patterned grounding
Schuko plugs (6 MINIMUM, preferably 8)
Reasonable price tag (the solution I am looking at from Rowen is about 300$ with the 2 power cables and the bar, so around that price, maybe a bit more but clearly not in the thousands!)
I got to audition a Nordost QB8 that looked good on paper but even at a bargain second hand price I find the 1000$ price tag quite harsh, but it got me thinking about upgrading my current power situation.
I am also considering the XS3 directly to the wall, and have the rest connected to the power strip.
Hi, I also live in Switzerland and I can understand your questions very well, both in terms of the offer and the specific Swiss plugs and sockets. A few points:
I had an electrician to install a Schuko socket in my house. This is possible in Switzerland according to the standards if there is an additional socket according to the Swiss standard in the vicinity. The installation costs were not very high and I am much more flexible. If you want to do more, then get a Furutech or Oyiade Schuko wall socket installed. This has brought me a long way (in relation to the price) and is definitely worth it.
There are many threads on power distributors in the forum. Naim itself recommends not using mains filters, as these can limit the dynamics of the music. However, there are now alternative technologies:
For example, many users have had good experiences with Audioquest Niagara (with unfiltered and filtered Schuko sockets).
Even more widespread with Naim is Chord Powerhouse (which is available in 3 levels).
I myself use Furutech eTP 60e NCF, which I bought second hand. NCF is also a technology for noise reduction without active filters.
Second hand is a good option. On CH sales platforms, used devices are offered again and again (currently, for example, an Audioquest Niagara 1200). The disadvantage is that trying out is then not possible. In the case of offers that are too cheap (e.g. from Furutech), they may also be cheap clones (that’s why I always ask for an original invoice). If you like to buy new, dealers will lend you some distributors for testing at home.
And there is a broad community here in the forum that has built their own power distributors and achieved a cost-effective solution. I am not technically adept myself and therefore keep my hands off of that.
You can find many posts about the products mentioned here in the forum (via the search function).
Have fun trying it out – the power supply makes a significant contribution to sound quality.
Well I am actually quite happy with mine at the moment (preferred the sound of it over the Nordost QB8) , I was just curious about the benefits from shielding the main cable as it is running in parallel to my speaker wires, which means having to change the power bar. So yes not EVERYTHING but most of what I read about Naim amps in particular was that it wasn’t recommended by Naim to use filtered mains, don’t know if that applies to all equipment or specifically to the older ones.
Thank you for all that info, it helps a lot hearing from another Suisse!
I will investigate the Furutech Schuko wall socket, that seems affordable and would solve the issue about sourcing a decent Swiss power cable.
I wasn’t aware of the unfiltered outlets on the Niagara, and actually also on the PowerQuest2 that would be more in my budget, but that sounds interesting.
I was thinking about plugging the amp directly to the wall and to use the power strip for the rest of sources/TV etc, but I am not sure that a double socket would fit into a standard Swiss plug (it’s a 3 sockets output).
I took a look at your system and it sounds (pun intended) amazing, enjoy!
That’s a die hard myth, to my knowledge Naim had never said such a thing, and if they did they would be desperately wrong according to my experience and many others.
Thank you very much for your feedback on my system. I built it up step by step and benefited greatly from the many tips and experiences in the forum. I am happy with ot and I enjoy the music every evening after work.
I originally had a Swiss triple socket in my living room too. The electrician was able to convert it to a Schuko socket and a Swiss double socket without any problems.
I don’t have any experience with Audioquest power strips myself. However, my dealer once advised me against the simple Audioquest series (below the Niagara series). So it’s worth trying them out. If you have a dealer nearby, a home test should be possible. This would be worthwhile because the power supply can be different for every system, every room and every situation. Used devices, on the other hand, can usually be resold without much loss if they don’t fit.
I use Isotek EVO3 Sequel Power Cable here in Australia. After having googled ISOTEK and not being able to read German or Swiss, I noticed that there appears to be a distributor in either Switzerland or Germany. However, I am unsure of the mains plug, as I have also Googled that, and they appear different. However, Google did pop-up adaptors.
I hope this helps, as I am not allowed to post links.
The Brennenstuhl will be doing your system no favours at all.
I tried a Nordost QB8 once and although it has got a good reputation I must say I was deeply unimpressed.
I don’t know what’s available over there but yes you certainly want to avoid any filtering, surge protection, lights or switches. You really need to try to get your power cables as far as possible from the speaker cables, and try to avoid any parallel runs.
If you are competent / confident then making your own mains block from unswitched sockets is an excellent option, and probably as good as or better than most of the cheaper specialist blocks on the market. But only attempt if you are 100% sure of what you are doing.
In my current setup I can’t actually separate the cables, I am looking to upgrade my TV/Hifi furniture in order to be able to route everything separatly!
I am myself not competent enough to fiddle with electrics but I have a good friends that I trust 100% for those things.
I’ll try to look at some DIY guides to see what I need to look for in my components and ask him if he would be willing to assemble it for me.
Re using a screened (shielded) cable
I always make my own power cables and agree with PJL (and others) that if you are not confident with electrics, get it done by someone who has knowledge & skill.
I advise to only connect the screen to one end of the earth/ground circuit, preferably the input end. This makes the screen an earth grounded conduit and not a parallel section of the power earth circuit.
Ideally look for double screened cable made with braided copper with at least 85% converge and a foil layer. If you can’t find a double screen, get a copper braided one as foil only screen resistance is too high for EMI and power at 50Hz wavelengths.
Yes it can be difficult to route cables optimally in the real world in typical domestic surroundings. Most of us have to compromise to some extent - that’s life, nothings ever perfect.
If you can get someone to assemble a home made block for you then that would probably be your best option. It shouldn’t cost much and IME easily matches or out performs the lower cost blocks on the market. To get something substantially better you will need to be spending in the region of £500 - £1K IMO.
Obviously the sockets etc. are different there to UK but you just need to mount them on some wood and wire together with decent haervy gauge wiring.
