Author Topic: AC Power Cable (Read 309 times)

David Houck · « **on:** August 01, 2005, 06:19:23 PM »

In the ongoing challenge of making sense of the cabling in my rack, I would like to replace a couple of the AC power cords that came with some of the rack components with much shorter cables. In my initial research I have found that AC power cords come in both shielded and non-shielded versions. For this application, is there a difference?

Also, initially I'll probably just replace cables that have plugs on both ends. But I'm thinking it might be a good idea to replace some of the cables that connect inside the components. Is there any reason why I shouldn't do this? Since I have no soldering skills to speak of, should I get someone else to do the work?

Thanks.

tbrannon · « **Reply #1 on:** August 02, 2005, 01:04:29 PM »

Dave,
I have a moderate amount of soldering experience. I've built my own crossovers in the past and have repaired a few cheapy amps. So take my advice with a grain of salt. You might consider using a salt lick if you have one of those handy.

In terms of shielded vs- non shielded, I would always lean towards the shielded versions. Especially if you are going to have audio cables running in and amongst the AC cables. The likelyhood of you getting any interference or feedback from them is almost nil, but why take the chance? Especially when the cost difference between the two is almost negligable.

In terms of do-ability, it's not rocket science. I would recommend taking apart something and working on it. Find an old broken down VCR or something and start your frankenstein projects on that. I would obviously NOT recommend trying your hand on your bass rig straight out of the gate. Wreck a few old VCR's to learn the tricks and I think you'll find that the process is relatively simple. If you can figure out the controls on a Series I or II bass and then run them through a pre-amp....tone shape and all that, I don't think you'll have much of a problem soldering an AC cable.

Good luck.

David Houck · « **Reply #2 on:** August 02, 2005, 02:17:37 PM »

Thanks Tobin; so far I haven't found shielded cables with connectors on both ends that are short enough. But I'll keep looking.

kmh364 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 02, 2005, 04:26:07 PM »

Dave,

I'm assuming you're talking about IEC modular connector detachable power cords? As an old audiophile, I can tell you mostly all hi-end hi-fi uses 'em. Personally, if you're looking for the ultimate quality, I'd try audiophile sources. They have ultra-high quality stuff, with the commesurate ultra-high prices to match. Seriously, there are all price levels and the stuff is all high quality. Monster, AudioQuest, Cardas, MIT, Straight Wire, PS Audio, Kimber, etc. all make great stuff.

Try audioadvisor.com and try all the above manufacturer's websites listed above.

I'd also recommend a power conditioner, especially one with an isolation transformer and voltage correction for the cleanest sound possible. While it's not for rack usage, I tried my roomy's old Tice Power Block power conditioner w/iso. xfmr and voltage correction on my Eden WT-550 w 2-D2210XST cabs bass rig and you would not believe what it did for the noise floor and bass extension!

Good hunting!

Cheers,

Kevin

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** August 02, 2005, 05:14:51 PM »

Thanks Kevin, I'll definitely check your suggestions. My primary goal is to clean up the rats nest of cables in the back of the rack. But since completely changing my signal path a few days ago, I am getting noise from time to time that may be the interplay of the various signal cables with power cables.

David Houck · « **Reply #5 on:** August 02, 2005, 05:21:27 PM »

Kevin; I just looked at audioadvisor.com, and that is significantly more than I need to spend for a power cable!!!

jet_powers · « **Reply #6 on:** August 02, 2005, 07:26:05 PM »

I had a rat's nest in the back of my rack too. Being cheap and lazy, I got some cable ties, coiled up like cables and wrapped them together. Perhaps not the best wire management ever but it ony took a few moments and I was back to playing...

JP

kmh364 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 03, 2005, 05:20:39 AM »

Dave,

Understood. Nothing in the audiophile world is cheap...just varying degrees of expensive, LOL! I've been hemming and hawing over cabling for my guitar and bass rigs for some time now. It's hard to justify spending more on cables then you've spent on some instruments and/or amp rigs.

Hell, the pricing of cabling for my (now) 10-yr old $10k hi-fi rig made me cry the blues, LOL! Even considering the Law Of Diminishing Returns, i.e., monetary outlay increases geometrically as sonic improvement increases infinitessimally (LOL!), proper cables can make or break a system sonically.

gare · « **Reply #8 on:** August 03, 2005, 06:55:01 AM »

Dave
You may also want to checkout electronic component places too, like Mouser or Newark, etc..
The shortest power cords I can recall seeing were about 3 foot.
I also need to clean up the black spagetti in the back of my rack. The cable ties are a inexpensive solution, but using a power conditioner in the box, you still end up with a fair amount of wire hanging inside the box. Guess it's just enevitable with the sport.
Good luck

Gary

David Houck · « **Reply #9 on:** August 03, 2005, 07:05:09 AM »

Thanks. I've been to the Mouser site and found some short unshielded cables; the shielded cables were all too long. I'll check the Newark site.

adriaan · « **Reply #10 on:** August 03, 2005, 07:50:16 AM »

Could it be that shielding a short AC power cable produces some unwanted side-effect?

I guess when the rack is in use you might as well let the cords hang out from the back of the rack - probably better than coiling them up.

jacko · « **Reply #11 on:** August 03, 2005, 08:02:39 AM »

Dave.
Going back to one of your earlier comments about interplay between cables, one of my local Hi-Fi shops advised that where a signal cable has to cross a power cable then it should do so at right-angles to avoid any RF interference. You've probably already thought of this though ;-)

Graeme

gare · « **Reply #12 on:** August 03, 2005, 09:46:43 AM »

Try a quick search for electronic components. Just remembered a few more..Digikey and Allied

David Houck · « **Reply #13 on:** August 03, 2005, 05:37:29 PM »

Allied has the same Volex 1.5' and 3' unshielded cables that Mouser has. Those are the only short cables I've found so far; so I may go ahead and order a couple.

bigredbass · « **Reply #14 on:** August 04, 2005, 07:22:59 PM »

I crossed this bridge a while back.

While the 'esoteric' high-end audio mains are fabulous, you'd have to pull a BIG gun on me to pay that kind of money for an AC cord. Monster and Planet Waves offer 'better than stock' AC cables at reasonable prices.

Myself, I bought really good 3-conductor 12ga zip cord and hospital grade plugs and they have screw terminals and a pilot LED inside the clear housings. Cut it to my lengths, no problem. Saved enough over the cost of Cardas, etc. to buy a used car.

I'd CERTAINLY agree that more $ better spent would be an isolation transfomer equipped power conditioner will yield a LOT more bang for the buck. ALL electronic equipment wants to see proper voltage and with most digital devices it's just crucial. Next time you're on a gig and three of you are sharing one wall socket, there's just no way you're gonna get clean 110v without help. Enough amps/plugs/wiring for a bandstand seems to be the LAST thing clubs think about.

J o e y