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Power Cable DIY - Please advise

Hi,

Im planning on building a pair of DIY power cables, I have shortlisted a few cables and connectors, please feel free to recommend which one to purchase.

Furutech FP TCS31
Acoustic Revive Powermax 10000
Acrolink ???
NeoTech NEP 3200

connectors... Furutech FI 28/E38 or FI50 gold or rhodium??

Thanks in Advance
narcissus
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,105 posts
 
Hi narcissus,

My experience is that choosing the proper metals is more important than the brand. Rhodium is very detailed in the extreme treble but can be hard sounding in the mid treble unless carefully matched to the rest of the system.  I tried Rhodium plugs and receptacles a couple of times and sent them back.  Gold over bronze is my favorite, but YMMV.

Whatever you choose, care should be taken to match the receptacle and the IEC to the male plug metal composition (think of it as in interaction of metal interfaces from wall to component).

Chris at VH Audio is a super guy and could be very helpful to you on this project.

Best to you,
Dave
auxinput
1,538 posts
 

I’ve done a lot of R&D work with power cables. In your short list, I would probably choose the Neotech NEP 3200 because it uses solid-core conductors. In all my testing, I achieved the best results with solid core. That being said, this particular cable uses 17awg solid-core conductors. These may be a little bit large for the sweet spot I have found (which is 20awg conductors). The larger awg conductors (16-18awg) will have rolloff in the high frequencies. Because of this, I would choose rhodium plated connectors for the terminations to give you the best amount of high frequency resolution.

On the terminations, I would actually choose Furutech as the best terminations (both in build quality and design). The FI-28 series is a very nice termination. Furutech actually connects all the case mounting screws as well as the internal cable strain-relief clamp to the ground conductor. This does add additional cost, but I see it as a small positive. The Neotech terminations do not have grounded case screws. I don’t think you need to go with the FI-50 series unless your splitting hairs and willing to spend the $$$. The Furutech FI-11 series is cheaper, but it uses phosphor bronze for the IEC and case/strain-relief screws are not grounded. The newer FI-15 Plus series are nice, but keep in mind the FI-15 does not support thicker cables (the Neotech cable above would be too thick).

I have used the previous generation Neotech rhodium connectors. These were not that great and tended to push too hard on the voltage. The Furutech connectors above are much better and much more "delicate" with the sound - at the same time giving you a lot of resolution and punch.

auxinput
1,538 posts
 

Oh, if the rhodium plated terminations sound a bit harsh in the mids or highs, put in a Furutech rhodium plated fuse in the equipment. I have found this smooths out the harshness. The matching of the Furutech rhodium fuse with the Furutech rhodium power cord terminations is a nice combinations. The Furutech rhodium fuse may not sound great with other power cord terminations as it can be very revealing (transparent) in the power cord signature. Other fuses (such as Isoclean or Hi-Fi Tuning) might work better with other power cords. It’s a game of component synergy.

If you choose rhodium, be prepared to be patient and burn in the power cord for 100-200 hours (I have found 250 hours is really needed for rhodium to fully calm down).

narcissus OP
24 posts
 
@ Dave, I was really calling this BS until you confirmed my doubts that the metals of the receptacle and male connectors need to be matched identically.

Im planning on getting the Porter ports wall inlets from Albert Porter, I think they're bronze.

Any advise on good wall inlets? I'll make sure to mail Chris @ VH Audio asap.

thanks
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,105 posts
 
Hi narcissus,

I have the PorterPort and I feel confident in recommending it. It imparts a clean and uncolored sound. Sort of a reference of neutrality IMO and gets along well with a variety of cords. A no-brainer at the price.

If you decide you want something that ads more life, air, and soundstaging presence to the sound, I like the Synergistic Research Teslaplex SE. I wish to disclose that I have all SR cords and cabling in my system as well as a Powercell 10UEF/FEQ, so YMMV.

All of the receptacles need several days to settle in before judging. I run an extension cord to our garage fridge for a week, changing between the two outlets on the receptacle at mid-week. Even then, they need a day or two to settle in once the cord(s) is disturbed.

Best to you narcissus,
Dave
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