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Hello, everybody. Tell me, please, what is the right direction for the DIY powercord: from amplifier to ac inlet, or from ac inlet to amplifier.
Serge.
Follow Ups:
Thanks for reply. As it (AC) goes from sourse to load (amp), I guess the arrows should point from receptacle to amplifier. Right?
Serge
I guess the arrows should point from receptacle to amplifier. Right?
Some manufacturers (like AudioQuest) place directional arrows on cables. This is most prevalent on single-ended ic's, since balanced connectors and power cords can only be connected in one direction. My speculation is that the direction may have more to do with a floating shield than with specific wire directionality - although I am not sure of this. For DIY cables, unless there is a specific arrow on the wire, I wouldn't worry about it. However, I do recommend orienting the wires in a consistent direction, relative to how it comes off the spool, for both the left and right cables. I also recommend burning your cables in using a device such as Alan Kafton's Cable Cooker (or similar), then maintaining that same direction when installing the cable in your system.
This has to be determined by trial and error for each piece of wire. A cable comprising three wires may have two or three of the wires aligned.This is most easily heard by making an RCA interconnect from the wire under test, keeping track of the direction taken off the spool. Install the interconnect in one channel, and mute the other channel. Listen to a vocal recording of a singer with a wide range with the cable in both directions, and use the wire direction that gives the best midrange performance.
The test procedure for multi-conductor cable is more complicated.
Many related parts of audio cables, such as shields and outer jackets, also have directional character.
It is true that audio signals are alternating-current. However, energy flows from the source to the load in every cable application, and some (most likely all, but I can't state this categorically) wire delivers a warmer tonal balance in one direction compared to the other direction.
the "Flat Earthers" will be after you!! :-))Regards,
Make an IC out of powercord cable to determine direction? Have you done this? What were the results?
I've done it for interconnect cables and similar things to determine direction of auxillary cable components. My mentor used the process in making power cords, speaker cables, and interconnect cables. He is retired now, but his cables are still highly regarded. I've said enough about it.
Especially IC's. On powercords, I've made many DIY & have never used cable w/lettering/printing on it, so no way to ascertain a direction from a manuf. standpoint. When I replied it doesn't matter in my initial response, I was going by my own experiences. Perhaps I should have elaborated more.It might yield interesting results but I typically use 12 ga. wire for powercord & I'm not too crazy about modifying something that's set up for 20 something gauge.
You will notice that in one direction the black, white and green wires will line right up with the proper screws on the connectors, the other way you have to cross the black and white.I like to have them line up, makes for a neater job.
A power cords, interconnect, fuse, or any other hunk of wire has no "right" direction. Line power and audio are Alternating Current. (and voltage) The electrons flow both directions.
The only thing I would be concerned about re: direction is a braid if present. Standard practice has the braid clipped at the IEC & hooked to the ground at the wall plug. Some construction models clip it at both ends but just make sure the ground is hooked at both ends. You can always try it first hooked up then clip it if it introduces noise.For an amp DIY, I would suggest a non-shielded design of the Chris VH variety. This has always worked well for me.
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