Can a Filtered IEC Power Inlet Improve Sound Quality?

[Haz]

Just a quick question does a filtered IEC power inlet improve sound quality, When using a switching power supply?

Or should just use a normal IEC and not bother with one? If any people have any advice about these that would be much appreciated.

Schaffner FN388-6 IEC 6A Inlet Filter, Fused/Switched on eBay (end time 30-Jan-11 08:41:41 GMT)

Thank you

[phaselag]

It can if you click your heels 3 times and say "I Believe"

paul

[bob91343]

The filter does not affect performance. It's there for a few reasons, most of which have to do with EMI and FCC regulations. Noise generated within the unit needs to be attenuated before exiting the power cord; noise on the power line needs to be reduced (in rare cases) before entering the device.

If you are building something or using a commercial unit, don't worry about it unless you have a specific problem that can be traced to EMI.

[Haz]

Thanks for the information, I was just curious about them after seeing this listing on ebay.

NEW MAINS CONDITIONER WITH FURUTECH AC-1501 IEC FILTER on eBay (end time 17-Feb-11 16:45:48 GMT)

I know you should not believe everything you read that's why I ask.

[AEIOU]

Originally Posted by bob91343

The filter does not affect performance. It's there for a few reasons, most of which have to do with EMI and FCC regulations. Noise generated within the unit needs to be attenuated before exiting the power cord; noise on the power line needs to be reduced (in rare cases) before entering the device.

If you are building something or using a commercial unit, don't worry about it unless you have a specific problem that can be traced to EMI.

Did you read this article posted here at DIYaudio?
Audio Component Grounding and Interconnection
Scroll down a bit and it reads "Include a line filter on equipment that you build."

[AndrewT]

The filter between the mains supply and the equipment works both ways.

If you have quiet equipment and want a quiet supply, the filter attenuates the incoming Garbage coming from the mains.

If you have noisy equipment and want a quiet supply for the rest of the house, then the filter attenuates the Garbage that the noisy equipment tries to send back through the mains cable.

[DF96]

Yes, when using an SMPS you really need a filter to stop it exporting noise around the house and to your neighbours. Part of being a good citizen!

[SY]

Originally Posted by Haz

I know you should not believe everything you read that's why I ask.

Especially when it's written that ungrammatically and contains idiocies like this:

The effect of a cleaner mains supply is better sound and picture quality if used with TV's, quieter backgrounds in music and movies and an overall improvement in bass, mid-range and treble, proven by customer feedback and repeat purchases. The conditioner is terminated with a silver plated kaiser IEC connector and utilizes Black Rhodium fusion silver plated mains cable (which has won awards for it's outstanding performance).

No better specification for the money on e-bay, 2000+ positive feed backs means happy customers.

AC-1501 IEC inlet with EMI filter 24k gold plated. (Alpha) non-magnetic copper alloy conductors. Outer cover chrome plated steel plate, Inner cover Nylon glass fibre, Inner parts held by Piezo Epoxy Rating:115V/250V 15A 50/60Hz

...and is accompanied by a price that is approximately ten times what normal, identically-functioning units cost. Must be that piezo epoxy. Or the award-winning Black Rhodium fusion silver plating.

[DF96]

Of course, normal cheap IEC filters use magnetic copper!! And you need chrome plating on something which will be hidden inside a unit - you can't see it, but knowing it is there enhances the warm glow on your face and the placebo effect in your ears.

[aandy]

if you can find them the blue IEC inlets sound better