Y power cable for Monoblocks


In the comming days I will receive a pair of new monoblocks. But I have a small problem, I do not have enough wall sockets to plug all my gear into.

I currently have a surge protector in which all my sources are plugged in. And my ss integrated is plugged straight in the wall.

I would prefer to plug the tube monoblocks directly into the wall sockets as well. But with only one socket available I end up with a problem.

As a solution I figured I could get a "Y" power cable, with plug for the wall socket and two connectors one for each amp.

Is this wise? What other options should I consider?
nick_sr

Showing 3 responses by blindjim


There are adapters which will allow for one IEC pc to feed two others. it has the male IEC end, with two female NEMA (wall outlet) ends. $10.

Personally, unless that power strip of your's is a real doozy, I'd buy me a nice power filter/conditioner like Audio Magic, PS Audio, or Running Springs, etc., and plug my front end items into it, Use the strip then to feed the amps.

or... if it's your wall/home, turn the single duplex outlet into a double duplex outlet, and in the doing, step up the outlets. I'd also advise you use perhaps, two ckts. A different one for front end stuff and another for amps & preamps..

However, if everything runs ok as is... or if it's a dedicated ckt to begin with, simply cutting the wall opening to a bit larger one, adding/replacing the outlet box, adding one more duplex receptacle and a foot or so of Romex for a pigtail which will feed both outlets, should run around $10 and take about an hour or less to do.

Now you do know getting an electrician will be best and I've got recommend it here... but I was once and have done this with my eyes almost completely closed. it ain't that hard. it all comes down to how much draw these new amps will have plus what's on the ckt already.

"I believe in keeping it simple, i.e.: the shortest signal path with the least amount of components."

Power isn't signal. There's miles & miles of wire out there before wwe tap into it... a few more feet won't hurt there... as you're about to do.

Re filtration.
Attaching a passive power line filter to the front end components with something like a PS Audio Duet or the like for 200 or less, equates to $50 for each attached item with it's four outlets. Keep one for just two years and it's costing you $2 a month. One lightening strike will make it worth it to most folks. In the meantime, the usually improved sound satisfys others.

you'll sure hear less of what you're not hearing now... and spinning gear especially will sure benefit from one, not to mention the added safety they provide for under & over current issues too.

I think one would be a step up for your system adding sonic benefits, and safety in the bargain you don't have now. you owe it to yourself to try one or two at least. They're popular little gizmos and if no benefit is descerned, it''ll sell... so you don't lose and may well like em.

Not knowing, however is simply not knowing, and that's not always beneficial.

Regardless, good luck.
Nick_sr

Yep.. were I you, that’s what I’d do as well.

Well, be that way if you want too. I was once myself a serious doubter of power cables and conditioners at large. Interconnects as well were more snake oil to me than anything else. Racks, coupling or decoupling speakers, isolation, even acoustics, all seemed arbitrary back handed attempts to grab money.

A friend urged me to at least try out some for myself instead of allowing my contempt prior to investigation to run the show. Just buy ‘em right, and if there’s no improvement, sell ‘em. Simple huh? “OK”, I said, and I did. Consequently I now say what I say due to personal experience in an effort to help others who are like I once was find out another way to help their system.

I sort of thought that was what folks did around here mostly… try to help others. I’m being entirely altruistic here.

On either side of the fence, yay or nay on this long lived debate, change does take place when adding better wires, power line filtering, equipment damping or isolation, and room acoustics. That is a fact. One can believe it or not.

The noteable thing is this: What sort of change occurs? I’ll quote my old eye doctor here, “Same, better, or worse”, as he’d ask during the examination while he switched in & out different lenses.

I’ve found as with equipment, on average, the more one spends the better things get to be. But it’s always a choice. We all make our own beds and so forth.

Personally, in this past time, I’m in it to win it. I mean by that if indeed something within my financial reach is said to afford one a gain if added to the system, I’m apt to check it out for myself once I’ve determined it a viable path for me to go into.

What really fascinates me is what or how, such innocuous, small, near nothing things can do to improve or change the sound of a system. specially so is what looking into the incoming power can yield. Power cords namely. It amazes me what that last 4-6ft. or $300 $1000 or more can do there. Absolutely remarkable things do happen. As well, with $200 $1000 passive power line filters.

. I’ve tried several of either item thru those price ranges and each time with an increase in the tab, the sound of my stereo was improved, or changed.

I say it over and over again, I can ill afford to throw away money and I’m a real cheap sort of guy when it comes to spending my own or others money. So what I own now is because it has made things better… not that it’s the best ever thing… but to this point, it’s my best assortment.

I keep looking for those $50 - $500 things to replace my more pricey junk with and I keep failing. A lot of times though there is change or difference…. Just not always betterment.

I also like the aspect of protecting my gear rather than getting it replaced by my home owners ins. Now and paying via raised premiums for it later. It can be a hassle too. so surge and low voltage protection are important to me.

Naturally if one has a or several issues with their homes elecetrical service an electrician should certinaly be brought in to address the problem (s). Absolutely.

Sparky won't address the dirt and grundge coming in on the power lines though.

But it's a choice... in fact next time you go to an electronics show or dealership to preview gear, take a peek and see if THEY use power line filtration, power cords etc.... and simply ask them to remove 'em all and listen again. I'm sure there'll be a change...

Good luck.