Cut off one,
2 grow back,
Hail hydra
Sorry could not resist
I cut the EU plug off my 1mm cables and fit the plug from the Powerline lite then stick an MK on the 0.75mm one to use elsewhere
Interesting. But why?
I’d have thought changing the gauge of the cable would effect the decoupling system from working as intended.
No it’s OK. The cable clamp section is separate from the pin section, it (the cable clamp section) has a loose sliding fit into the pin section, that’s part of the decoupling, the other decoupling part is the pin clearance fit.
Why not? Anything to reduce the impedance of the primary in the transformer is not a bad thing and it cost nothing to do.
Could I hear a difference? Not really.
The Naim powerline uses 4mm cable so heavier gauge “must” be better.
As illustrated by Mike-B, the plug does still maintain the decoupling element.
If you look at what the jaws of an MK cord grip does to the inner cores of any gauge flex then the Naim-designed plug is certainly preferable.
I live close to Grahams and have used them a few times. They have a decent sized workshop in the store and know their stuff, and whilst I am sure it is safe, I would be nervous using one myself. It seems to be an unnecessary risk; but I don’t want to knock the positive results many report back.
My personal opinion is that HiFi companies are massively over charging for mains upgrades/cables that can more often than not approach the cost of a Naim box when tallied up in a multiple box system. I am not criticising as I have spent a small fortune myself, but it does feel like it is overdone and I probably would not have bothered if I could start over again.
Many moons ago I recall someone enquiring as to why Naim didn’t use thicker mains cable. The reply was that they had tried heavier guage ones and they didn’t sound so musical.
Presumably there’s a good reason for the UK lead being 0.75mmsq or why would they not make it 1mmsq the same as the EU cable?
I’ve pushed down an end cut of cable into the MK cord grip and after stripping there are no damage marks on the inside cores only the outer insulation sheath as meant.
Looking at the 4mm2 Powerline custom made for Naim cable I’m amazed they get away with such almost non existent insulation outer thickness.
But then they will be gentle with the wobbly cord grip.
My powerline lites are in the boxes stored and I upgraded my box IEC cables to 1.5mm2 to meet required code for the must use say Naim 13A fuse.
As with many tweaks that others rate and my old ears genuinely can’t detect, a No Result result is a prompt to do nothing - excellent.
In my house and my system, putting the obvious non-Naim box on the Hydra was significantly worse - but that obvious box was a Linn Lingo and then a Radikal. I would try my old Nakamichi tape deck for completeness, but it has a captive lead and a plug.
That does sound familiar - makes you wonder if EU customers are being denied some musicality by having a 1.00mm cable or perhaps the UK choice of 0.75mm is optimally influenced by the fuse present in the plug?
I should have said that over time the copper cores will show deformation if you were to fully strip down a cable that has been under the constant pressure of the MK design. It’s equally a factor of the cable insulation and how soft it is - rubber or neoprene being more susceptible than PVC
I infer from this that you are implying this would change the cable’s electrical characteristics and, therefore, its performance. Am I misinterpreting?
Mark
The most destructive point for deformation in any plug is the cable termination if not done properly.
No cable grip in a plug will do more damage.
Here in a Powerline partial termination of the multi strand is far worse.
I plugged in a space heater into my leftover hydra plug. It made things sound much warmer and inviting.