Unconnected Drain Wires ?

Disconnected drain wire is not a safety hazard but it is not a good idea as the now floating shield will act like an antenna. If you are using a shield design always connect the drain at the wall side only.

Hi Jea48,

I am Tel Wire. I try my best to when I give opinions to not have them not conflict/inadvertently support my design decisions.

Thanks John!

Hi Jea48,

Since that is not my company I luckily don't have to explain it ;-), maybe they like the radio stations in Poulsbo, WA? I have heard before that that is how those lower end shunyatas are configured but I was unable to find that actually spec'd anywhere, maybe I am looking in the wrong place. Perhaps in certain system/situations an unconnected shield sounds better but you always run the risk of it acting like an antenna. In general connecting the drain to the wall will give you the best sound on a shielded cord in the vast majority of system.

Hi Jim,

What I make of it is everyone’s system and situation is different. If the weren't it would be much easier to design a line of cables that work well in all cases. For example Mr. Hansen of Ayre fame IIRC runs with all the grounds lifted on all his gear, if you search Asylum there are a number of his posts concerning this. He says sonically it is superior. I run with all my frontend floating and my amps grounded but then again none of the cables that I make are shielded and I have no problem with noise or hum.

What I heard when listened to a cord with a floating shield was a reduction of air in the soundstage, in a system that these level of cords may be used in that might translate into a reduction of some HF nasties

Hi Tony,

My suggestion would be turn off breaker feeding that outlet then just disconnect the ground at the receptacle. You could do it at the AC plug but I don’t think you want an unconnected ground wire flopping around in the plug body. Hey what length speaker cable do you use?