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Power Cord Shielding

There has been tons of discussions regarding power cords. For me, shielding is the most important factor.
Thus preventing AC noise emitting from the power cable which may interfere with the signals of other cabling in your system.

I have had some fairly expensive cables from the likes of Black Sand and Cullen, that when I ran a handheld AC voltage detector along its length, whilst plugged in, the line detector would light up. As for cables like Pangea and even some stock, manufacturer’s cables (Coda, Wyred 4 Sound) I get no readings from the voltage detector.

That said, I’m surprised to see how many amps have the IEC connection on the far right or for left on their units, right beside the speaker binding posts. I think in the middle of the amp, as far away from any connections would be best. Such as the Luxman 505uXII or the Coda CSiB.

What are our thoughts?




high-amp
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
By far the best power cords I have heard are Moneoone Supernova. Zero shielding. You can see the conductors through the mesh. So much for that theory.  

That said, I’m surprised to see how many amps have the IEC connection on the far right or for left on their units, right beside the speaker binding posts. I think in the middle of the amp, as far away from any connections would be best. 
This is done to keep the powerful AC fields as far as possible from the sensitive pre-amp stage. Once the signal is amplified to speaker level it is proportionally much less important that these be kept separate.   

It all makes perfect sense once you understand what is going on.
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
If the amps are MB that will help, ay?

Routing is a very inexpensive way to reduce noise. Shielding is the number one way to dummy down sound. I like weaves for noise reduction and as little shielding as I can get away with.

Even TT RCAs that I use have very little shielding. 

All the systems I put together are black as night. ZERO floor noise..

Routing and weaves... I have one noisy box (cable PS). I fixed it..

Regards
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,582 posts
 
Prescription for Belden and Kimber.
high-amp OP
508 posts
 
So, you feel this shouldn’t be a concern?
holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 
  • When you turn it up all the way do you hear 60 Hz humming noises?
  • Or some harmonic of 60 Hz?
  • Or what is the frequency of the noise on the AC line that needs to be addressed with the shielding?
  • Are you concerned with voltage leaking out or magnetic fields?

A few preamps have outboard power supplies and these feed DC to the main part of the preamp. But power amps, do not have the gain of a preamp.
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