any tricks for using bigass pc's?


i've been trying out a number of powercords recently. most of these are behemoths. very large diameter, very heavy. i've had difficulty keeping the iec-end snugged up to my pre/dac, which occupies the top shelf of a 4-shelf zoethecus stand. i figure i can rig up a velcro cord holder to take some of the weight off the iec connection, but i wonder if any of you after-market pc aficionados out there might have other suggestions. -cfb
cornfedboy
Hi Kelly,

I use tie wrap mounting pads available at Home Depot. These pads have slots that are ninety degrees apart, and will accommodate one (possibly two) tie wraps each. The pads are clear or white, and the wraps themselves are available in at least black and white, with the UV black being my favorite.

After mounting the pad, draw a tie wrap through the slot and pull past the resistance of the click lock, until the audio cable is suspended without any strain.

Mistakes in length may be quickly corrected by clipping the tie wrap with side cutters, and trying again. Trial and error is the only way to find the perfect strain relief point for each cable.

Extra long lengths may be had by looping two or more tie wraps together to reach the next comfortable pad mount.

In extensive listening tests, I have not experienced any performance loss with these snugged up to my cables. Many high end cables are already black finish, making the wraps almost invisible, particularly at the back of a shelf. The only negative with this system is the sticky back on the pads. If the surface is not perfectly clean, or the cable is extremely heavy (like my Purist Dominus), a screw must be passed through the center of the pad to hold the weight. Not possible with some stands or shelves.
only in your dreams, tim. i just heard from an unimpeachable source that you were rejected as an extra (in an outdoor crowd scene) for “boogie nights." :o) -kelly
albert: many thanks. is there a brand name for tie wrap? i assume they're in the "electrical" section, close by the many varieties of nylon cord collectors? -kelly
The ones I purchased were GB cable ties, and are USA made. I think Tie Wrap is a brand name like Kleenex, that get abused when attempting to describe a similar product.
There are different size cable tie blocks. There techinical name is a 4-way self adheasive mounting brace, I have lots of them at work we use them all the time, if you would like I can put a bunch in an envelope and send them out to you, let me know. I think the brand we use is 3M, like Albert said the mounting surface must be VERY clean or they will not stick, and if you "overload" them they will fall off regardless of how clean the surface is.