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Supra LoRad 2.5 MK II

50.101.76.25

bjh

Making a DIY cable from this wire (recommended by Duster) which has finally arrived after the initial shipment having gone missing.
Anyway stripping back the outer jacket I find instead of a foil shield and almost cloth like (in feel) dark purplish shield that appears to be conductive but no where near as much so as normal foil; I confirmed it was conductive via multi-meter, measuring something around 3K Ohm with probes about 1 cm apart (on the material). There is also a thin 'drain' wire in contact with the shield.
Anyway I was surprised by this but looking up pic (Google) it seem to be the correct construction for this wire; apparently the original (non-mk II), had a foil shield.
Pic from Google (shield looks black in the photo) ...

--
Anyway I plan to treat the shield and drain as a normal shield that will be connected at one end only (female connector).
Just wanted to throw this out there in case I'm missing something.
Any info would be welcome
--
More on the shield from what appears to be the US site for Supra:
"The biggest differences between Lorad MkII and the old Lorad cable, is that it is now based on SUPRA�s unique Nylon screen concept. Semiconducting Nylon Screen provides improved shielding properties, bending strength, environmental immunity, higher tensile strength and less microphonic effect. The Nylon screen is connected with a drain-wire. We have tested and evaluated all known types of screens for making such a good cable as possible. SUPRA�s semi-conductive Nylon screen was the only one that passed the safety requirements and, moreover, its shielding properties was best in test. LoRad MkII is tested and certified by Intertek Sweden, meeting the European safety regulation HD21.5 S3."

Never trust an Atom, they Make Up everything!

Edits: 04/06/14

Follow Ups:

RE: Supra LoRad 2.5 MK II - agisthos 13:38:15 08/27/14 (0)
"SUPRA�s semi-conductive Nylon screen was the only one that passed the safety requirements..."

This statement says it all. The Nylon screen is now only being used because the older foil screen was obviously failing some stupid new EU regulation. No doubt it probably has lower performance.
RE: Supra LoRad 2.5 MK II - Duster 21:06:55 04/06/14 (7)
I've read about that recent change and found it interesting. From what I gather, Supra intends the drain wire to be connected to the AC plug, not the IEC connector.
- RE: Supra LoRad 2.5 MK II - bjh 08:51:37 04/07/14 (6)
  You mean they advise connecting the drain/shield at the walll end?
  
  I couldn't remember what was normal practice so I checked a DIY design on the VH site before proceedingand it has the shield connected at other end.
  
  Source: DIY AC Power Cables - Chris VenHaus (shield is copper braid)
  
  All that said I have to admit that shield/drain connected at the wall does seem to make sense to me, i.e. intuitively.
  
  Let me know what you think ... I can easily change, no soldering.
  
  :)
  
  Never trust an Atom, they Make Up everything!
  - RE: Supra LoRad 2.5 MK II - Duster 09:32:58 04/07/14 (5)
    Another DIY design on the same VH Audio page has the shield connected at the AC plug end. There is no hard rule as to which end a drain wire or braided shield is connected, however most shielded designs (including shielded interconnect cables) feature the connection at the source end only, which in the case of a power cord is the AC plug. That said, some power cords do sound better when the shield is connected at the IEC connector end. You might consider experimenting with the drain wire connected at either end, or at both ends for that matter. That said, if you wish to be certain, you should ask the seller if the Supra LoRad Mk II drain wire is intended to be connected to the AC plug or the IEC connector.
    - RE: Supra LoRad 2.5 MK II - bjh 14:00:47 04/07/14 (4)
      Thanks
      
      Never trust an Atom, they Make Up everything!
      - RE: Supra LoRad 2.5 MK II - Ubiquitous Biscuit 12:57:14 04/09/14 (3)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Supra LoRad 2.5 MK II posted by bjh on April 07, 2014 at 14:00:47
        
        Where in USA/Canada is this cable available in bulk?
        
        RE: Supra LoRad 2.5 MK II - bjh 16:42:06 04/09/14 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Supra LoRad 2.5 MK II posted by Ubiquitous Biscuit on April 09, 2014 at 12:57:14
        
        I purchased from eBay (member zendada, listing below). It shipped from the US but there were no additional fees/taxes ... I don't know if that was just luck or standard.
        
        Never trust an Atom, they Make Up everything!
        http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUPRA-LoRad-3x2-5-Power-Cable-by-the (Open in New Window)
        
        Edits: 04/09/14
        
        RE: Supra LoRad 2.5 MK II - Ubiquitous Biscuit 06:01:13 04/10/14 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Supra LoRad 2.5 MK II posted by bjh on April 09, 2014 at 16:42:06
        
        Thanks. I noticed Madisound carries it as well - not sure if it's the Mk II version though.
        
        RE: Supra LoRad 2.5 MK II - flat6 20:47:28 05/22/14 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Supra LoRad 2.5 MK II posted by Ubiquitous Biscuit on April 10, 2014 at 06:01:13
        
        i'm quite curious about this cable too.
        what application are you using this cable in?
        what plugs have you opted for? were plugs relatively easy to install?
        how does this cord "sound" compared with other cords you've tried?

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