Upgrade plug socket?

[selby]

Anyone done this? Worth it? Pointless?

What if any power gangs do people use? Power cables? Plugs? Etc

I had a filter gang from Maplins (Tachima) removed it based on Docs info about removing as many filters as you can, weirdly the streak on the TV screen has gone! Plugged the Tachima in again and the streaks come back! I thought my telly was on the way out!

[Andrew]

I tried one of those super duper wall sockets back in the day (inca tech?) If it did make an improvement it must have been tiny. I honestly wasn't sure if it improved things or not. I've got a couple of Russ Andrews 4 way plug boards that I bought years ago. Not sure of the model but they were about £120 new and use PK14 cable (I bought used). When I got them, I used Naim amps and they definitely improved things.

I've wired up many different systems since and sometimes just grabbed any multi-block for quickness. When I've later swapped the block to the Russ Andrews one, I can't say I noticed any improvement. The same experiences were had with specialist mains leads. The naim kit, both amps and CD players really do improve with posh cables. Other stuff far less so, although some, like a Krell KSA80 still improved enough to hear.

I need bigger mains blocks now, so I bought a Merlin one off Ebay more recently reduced down to £40 inc postage. It's well made, but I then saw the same block, albeit with standard mains cable selling in Clas Ohlson for £16.99 normal retail. I'd buy one of those if I could have my time over.

Just my experiences though. You may find different. As long as you buy used or heavily discounted, you can usually try for Nowt. Or you can visit or log onto Clas Ohlson :D

[terrybooth]

I've used MK unswitched 13 amp sockets on dedicate spurs of 10mm cable (cooker cable). Difficult to tell because of the time it took to do but I think it did clean up the sound (Exposure Amps) -If I did it again, I'd be tempted by the armoured cable/15 amp round pin socket route.

[Dr Bunsen Honeydew]

Plugs - hardwire, if you can't go 16amp BS543 or Schuko.
Wire - the thickest copper you can accommodate.

[selby]

Doc - what's the big benefit with Schuko plugs over our UK normal ones?

Unfortunately I can't afford to or play with the new houses wiring (yet) so I'm looking to make fairly simple changes. For example swapping the cheapo switch based plug socket to a non-switched is possible... Or I could hard wire a 6 gang into a socket...do you get gangs with Schuko plug inputs that I could then swap over all current and future kit to?

As you can tell I have absolutely no idea about this stuff so I'm looking for a recommended path and no piss taking for my limited knowledge.

Sorry for dodgy spelling etc I'm on my mobile as BT have failed to install my phone line!

[Dr Bunsen Honeydew]

There is so much in the archive about it, sorry but I really don't want or have time to write it all again. Can you search and can others link please.

[selby]

I always forget about the achieve being a newbie!

[terrybooth]

Check Gazjam's posts about balanced mains. He has it hardwired to mains. Also check how he has created a 'hydra' distribution. That should give you some ideas.

[selby]

Is there a simple way to check if my sockets are on a ring or spure? It's a brand new house by Bovis so I'm hoping to see the on site electrician next week to ask him a few things.

[terrybooth]

You've hit on the easiest way. The only other way I know is to take it all apart to see how it was put together using a continuity tester. But I don't recommend doing that.