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Supra LoRad 2.5 MK II

50.101.76.25

Posted on April 6, 2014 at 17:53:52
bjh
Audiophile

Posts: 18614
Location: Ontario
Joined: November 22, 2003
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) ...


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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

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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."


 

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RE: Supra LoRad 2.5 MK II, posted on April 6, 2014 at 21:06:55
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
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, posted on April 7, 2014 at 08:51:37
bjh
Audiophile

Posts: 18614
Location: Ontario
Joined: November 22, 2003
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.

:)


 

RE: Supra LoRad 2.5 MK II, posted on April 7, 2014 at 09:32:58
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002



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, posted on April 7, 2014 at 14:00:47
bjh
Audiophile

Posts: 18614
Location: Ontario
Joined: November 22, 2003
Thanks


 

RE: Supra LoRad 2.5 MK II, posted on April 9, 2014 at 12:57:14
Ubiquitous Biscuit
Audiophile

Posts: 141
Joined: November 2, 2013
Where in USA/Canada is this cable available in bulk?

 

RE: Supra LoRad 2.5 MK II, posted on April 9, 2014 at 16:42:06
bjh
Audiophile

Posts: 18614
Location: Ontario
Joined: November 22, 2003
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.


 

RE: Supra LoRad 2.5 MK II, posted on April 10, 2014 at 06:01:13
Ubiquitous Biscuit
Audiophile

Posts: 141
Joined: November 2, 2013
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, posted on May 22, 2014 at 20:47:28
flat6
Audiophile

Posts: 60
Joined: May 2, 2006
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?

 

RE: Supra LoRad 2.5 MK II, posted on August 27, 2014 at 13:38:15
agisthos
Audiophile

Posts: 15
Joined: September 14, 2011
"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.

 

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