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Old 13th Oct 2017, 8:34 pm   #147
Lucien Nunes
Rest in Peace
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 2,508
Default Re: Audiophoolery. 'Cable Break In' - I never knew that!

An amusing exchange about power cables occurred on a non-audio-related forum. An individual had purchased a high end home cinema system and had been advised that it would only achieve its potential if a suitable mains supply was laid on for it. It was suggested that a dedicated circuit of minimum 32A rating should be installed as the amplifier was allegedly capable of consuming up to 40A on audio peaks. A particular cable (CY) was recommended, that an electrician then indicated was not approved for UK electrical installation work. Not being a phool, he became suspicious and sought advice before proceeding.

As part of the discussion, I tested my bench monitor system over lunch and found it would run happily, as loud as I could tolerate, on an F315mA fuse provided I bypassed the fuse at switch-on. That included the player, preamp and Quad 520 power amp. I had in mind to test it powered via a 100m roll of CW1308 phone cable and make a spoof video about its beneficial filtering effect for future phool-baiting, but real work beckoned and I had to put the proper fuse back in the plug. Of course, such a test would have failed miserably as I would have neglected to burn-in the cable. Or just possibly I might have burnt it out instead.

To rephrase a point made above: If you can hear the difference between two mains leads, you need to fix your amplifier before using it to compare the sound of mains leads.
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