Hi all, i just constructed by first diy audio power cable to connect integrated amp.
Cable is: Acrolink 6N-P4030 6MM² Fine OFC Power Cable (Per 0.5m) for DIY Power Cable.
Plugs are: Vanguard For Audio Rhodium Plated IEC connector C-320R + A-320R AU/NZ plug.
When i measure impedance over terminals with multimeter i get fluctuating readings. Also, they are higher readings than compared to stock power cable. When i measure stock cable, reading is lower and stable.
Why does the reading fluctuate on diy cable? I've checked screw down termination and it looks good and very secure.
Its much thicker cable than original, so impedance should be lower.
Why am i experiencing this and is it normal?
Cable is: Acrolink 6N-P4030 6MM² Fine OFC Power Cable (Per 0.5m) for DIY Power Cable.
Plugs are: Vanguard For Audio Rhodium Plated IEC connector C-320R + A-320R AU/NZ plug.
When i measure impedance over terminals with multimeter i get fluctuating readings. Also, they are higher readings than compared to stock power cable. When i measure stock cable, reading is lower and stable.
Why does the reading fluctuate on diy cable? I've checked screw down termination and it looks good and very secure.
Its much thicker cable than original, so impedance should be lower.
Why am i experiencing this and is it normal?
Thicker wire of the same material will give lower DC resistance.
Wider spacing of the bigger cable will give more inductance.
The combination of bigger wire and wider spacing may change the capacitance in either direction.
Change the material, even by a few percent of alloying componets, can have a very large effect on DC resistance.
The outcome of using bigger cable is very likely to give an INCREASE in impedance.
Wider spacing of the bigger cable will give more inductance.
The combination of bigger wire and wider spacing may change the capacitance in either direction.
Change the material, even by a few percent of alloying componets, can have a very large effect on DC resistance.
The outcome of using bigger cable is very likely to give an INCREASE in impedance.
Andrew, thanks for your reply and information.
I very carefully re-terminated the plugs on both ends tonight. Same result- fluctuating capacitance. Im not going to worry about it though as the cable itself works as expected.
The sound is generally "cleaner" than stock cable. Highs are crisper, and instrument separation, and sound staging is improved. Midrange seems a bit leaner than stock cable- this may be due to the rhodium plated plugs, "cleaner" sound, or cable needing time to burn in (or a combination of these).
I will give it a few weeks to settle in, but im happy with the results so far.
Divesh
I very carefully re-terminated the plugs on both ends tonight. Same result- fluctuating capacitance. Im not going to worry about it though as the cable itself works as expected.
The sound is generally "cleaner" than stock cable. Highs are crisper, and instrument separation, and sound staging is improved. Midrange seems a bit leaner than stock cable- this may be due to the rhodium plated plugs, "cleaner" sound, or cable needing time to burn in (or a combination of these).
I will give it a few weeks to settle in, but im happy with the results so far.
Divesh
About the only things which matter with a mains cable are current-carrying capability (so it doesn't heat up too much) and insulation resistance (so it doesn't kill you). All competent mains cables work as expected; they can't act as tone controls, so all perceptions of sound difference are in the listener's head - unless the audio equipment is very poorly designed (which is possible if it was very cheap or very expensive).
Fluctuating capacitance means something wrong with the cable or the meter or the person using the meter.
Fluctuating capacitance means something wrong with the cable or the meter or the person using the meter.
The capacitance doesnt fluctuate when i test the stock cable using same meter and technique, so logic would presume its not the meter, or the person testing it causing the fluctuations.
Maybe its the cable or the plugs- could poor/uneven rhodium plating on the plugs cause this?
I can only assume the cable is of high quality due to top specs and price paid. How can one be sure?
As for tonal differences- they are definite. Im just trying to work out the reason behind it...
Maybe its the cable or the plugs- could poor/uneven rhodium plating on the plugs cause this?
I can only assume the cable is of high quality due to top specs and price paid. How can one be sure?
As for tonal differences- they are definite. Im just trying to work out the reason behind it...
Tonal differences means there is something wrong with the way the amp is processing the signals, or the way the listener is processing the signals.
Does Rodium develop a "skin"?
Does it tarnish/corrode to leave a very hard surface coating?
Does Rodium develop a "skin"?
Does it tarnish/corrode to leave a very hard surface coating?
Unreliable assumption. High price can mean high quality, but in audio it is just as likely to mean a good story. It is a reasonable assumption that anyone selling fancy mains cables is telling a good story; that leaves undecided whether the goods are appropriate and competently made, as the best you can achieve is to be no worse off than with an ordinary commercial mains cable.dka said:
Perceived tonal differences are reasonably well correlated with the cost or rarity of the change.
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