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A cable routing reminder

If you have unshielded interconnects, be sure to keep them clear of any power cords - and power supplies. 

A few days ago, I swapped the power cord on a component. The replacement power cord has a relatively mellow signature. But after installing it, the HF started sounding etched. This made no sense. I had solved that problem long ago. This was a mystery.

It turns out that when I replaced the power cord - one of my unshielded IC’s fell from its support - directly on top of the shielded power cord. Even though the IC was laying at a 90° angle, the negative impact was quite significant. After re-routing the IC, the smoothness returned.

So, if you have unshielded IC’s, be sure to re-visit their positioning. Actually, it can’t hurt to re-visit the routing of shielded IC’s, also.


steakster
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,903 posts
 
The insulator I use (which is a foam used inside of piping with a slit down the side) provides about <1" of barrier between the cables and it worked for me.

If I wasn't so lazy, I'd set about creating larger distances, but, like I said, I'm lazy.

All the best,
Nonoise
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richmon
245 posts
 

Thank you NoNoise, I had 4 spots where shielded interconnects crossed power cords due to rack/equipement configuration.

Invested $4.00 in some HomerD pipe foam insullation, cut to fit and nice effect on better sound. Took me all of 10 minutes to install.

steakster OP
1,909 posts
 
@nonoise Thanks for the tip about pipe foam insulation. It works great! I’ve installed it wherever one cable touches another cable - whether it be IC, SC or PC.  Even if a cable is shielded, physical separation from another is still good.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,903 posts
 
@steakster , and @richmon , you're welcome. I wish I could take credit for it but someone else here turned me onto that simple and cost effective tweek a while ago. That insulation makes it so easy to address the problems that reside behind the rack. 

All the best,
Nonoise
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