Copper Sleeve over IEC

Agree, let's keep the copper ON for few days of listening until you totally get use to the sound from your gear (WITHOUT modding or tweaking any thing), slide the copper away from the IEC plug, or yet, completely remove the copper from your system..... keep us posted.

I just said it because I could not think of any other posibility. The copper tweak works out for me, instantly.

Here is my feedback FWIW:
I bought a few copper couplers - 1-1/4", 1-1/2" & 2". One side of my power cord is less fat than the other side hence I need a 1-1/4" on 1 side & a 2" on the other. I put copper couplers on the CDP power cord, power cord to the PS300 unit & on the RGPC 400 Mk1.
I've had just one reasonably long listening session & so far the conclusion is - no positive effect & also no sound degradation (whew!). In the back of my mind I really did not expect anything much to come out of this tweak as I live in a fairly RF clean environment + I believe that my CDP does not splatter much digital noise. Additionally, I have several other tweaks - dedicated lines, damped rack, damped chassis, elevated cables, Faraday shields over the magnets in my power cords, etc. All these items did make improvements & they've added up each time I tweaked.
All-the-same, I'm going to leave the copper couplers in place & listen more. In my system this seems to be a subtle tweak & subtle tweaks take time to settle in & time to discern.

Did anyone try the double copper shielding like I have? Please report your findings. Very curious what you are hearing compared to a single coupler.

Thanks

Question 1: in Video deparment, has any1 gotten great result /improve when going beyond and trying this copper tweak on the little power cord to the back of the TV?

Question 2: who else has tried tapping a grounding wire from the back of chassis of the CD player to AC receptacle with have great result ?(as seen on Marantz video)

Ozzy, you can get up to 6" copper couplers at http://www.pexsupply.com/Cello-WP0-32-2-CxC-Coupling-1193000-p

After seeing the demonstration on the Marantz, I bought a volt sensor. I have found it of very little use around the Synergistic Research charged cables. I did buy on 2" coupler nonetheless and found it did nothing on any of the SR charged pcs.

The copper couplers are merely shielding and charging the cables is a much superior technique.

I had thought of going into the SR pcs and painting with AVM as I have found painting the exterior of the Stealth Dream and Acoustic Revive Power Reference with this paint and got a substantial improvement. But I don't think there would have been much of an effect with charged power cords, especially given my experience noted above. I believe that AVM, aluminum foil, or copper sheeting bent to shape would all have the same effect. I have also found that the AVM paint has a vibration control benefit on wall outlets, in ics, and of course, within components on input, output, and ac cords.

Hello, tweakers.
As TheAudioTweaker mentioned /tried before, I just applied hot glue around all 6 terminals /screws at both end of the plugs (male and female) and the sound is a little tighter. Ok, ok,!!! for 5 min quick listening, I will not confirm this hot glue technique changes the sound but, the fact is, both end of cable are heavier. More solid and.... ok, stop. I'm not gonna say it sounds better again. Most importantly, I feel better with this hot glue tweak and frmo this moment on, I'll add this step to my DIY power cable!

CHeers and happy tweaking.

Nasaman
Okay what about filling the body of the connector with some hot glue or silicone? Guess if you go this route it will not be reversable, not sure, actually I guess hot glue will not really hold the connector body permanent, it would probably just slip right off still, and hot glue could be peeled off the wires and connections inside rather easy?

La45, What is double copper shielding?

Nasaman, I liked what the copper sleeve did for the Video. But, in my system with everything now plugged into the Synergistic Powercell too much cooper dulled the Audio high Frequencies. I need to put my Video on a different circuit and then I will re-attach the Copper sleeves over the Video.

Tbg, I disagree, there is a marked improvement to the Synergistic Research Hologram A power cord IEC with the copper shield over it.
However,I have discovered that with the use of the Synergistic Powercell and using the Acoustic Revive RR-77 in the system, the copper sleeve shield over the Hologram A IEC has no longer the improvement. Must be too much of everything attacking the RFI/EMI.
Norm, I think you have both of these items in your system, is that correct?

Ozzy, yep. It is an interesting concept of too much copper dulling the high frequencies. I really don't understand why a conductor with no ground would do anything.

Ozzy, double the copper, you know, 1/2" inside a 2" copper coupler with a foam film in between. I am using Alan Maher's Power Enhancer also, all are fine tuned for music.

I have a live sounding room so the high frequencies are just fine. I've been using copper as a shield since my Marantz days. Nice improvement on my HDTV too. Acts as a shield on any open unused inputs.

After installing a copper coupler over the IEC connector feeding my CDP I tested it with a simpler version of the tester used in the Marantz video. The meter registered as if the coupler weren't there. A bead of Blu-Tac substitute was holding the sleeve in place, so it was removed and the meter no longer registered. Adding several wraps of Teflon plumbers tape around the connector held it in place and allowed the sleeve to work its magic.

I don't claim to understand why, but can't ignore the empirical evidence and thought the results might be of interest. Thanks for the great tip.

Since I have found, along with others, that aluminum is a better shielding material that copper or steel, I would whether simple and cheap aluminum duct tape would be better and would, of course, be easily contoured to any plug. I doubt that it would do anything for Synergistic Research power cords that I use, so I won't be trying this.

Hey, this is a great idea! I'll have to give it a try.

Note if you ground the copper, it becomes a capacitor relative to the AC Mains. If you don't ground it, then it is a shorted turn. These are quite different entities: one is a capacitor and the other is a very lossy transformer. Neither will help pass AC power to the unit but both will have a significant impact on any RF riding along the power cord.

My vote goes for the shorted turn effect, as that is what I would expect to see the biggest improvement. But I can try both easily enough.

A gent over at AA suggested using 3/4" copper union (sleeves, couplers) over a CD players Digital inputs and outputs.
He also suggested to use what he called digital "terminators" , which I call shorting plugs.

I was not sure about adding a shorting plug to an output and it made me nervous even trying it.
But, after some assurance from people who sell the digital shorting plugs that they were ok to use on Input and outputs on digital , I gave it a try.

I tried metal Digital shorting plugs on both the coaxial input and output on my Cary 306 SACD Player and it did indeed make a difference. The soundstage and center image improved.
I was very suprised that the shorting plugs will work both on Input and output on digital.

But, when I added the 3/4" copper sleeves over the metal shorting plugs, it dulled the sound, so no go for me on the use of copper sleeves over the digital shorting plugs.

Perhaps if the shorting plugs were plastic then the copper sleeves might have made an improvement...

Ozzy, I am not at all surprised with what you found, but shorting an output, if it is on, is a no-no.

We've got big rolls of 36 gauge copper foil at work, so I've tried cutting strips of this to experiment with. With foils, you can add layers to try different amounts of shielding. It can be tightly wrapped & pinch formed to close around the back of the ac plug. I must say I do hear some changes to the sound of the cd player & dac with added shielding on the iec plug. I'm not sure that I like what it does on my Marantz Sa11S1, but it's a definite positive used on my dac.

I placed a piece of copper foil coupled with a brass weight over the first plug socket on my power strip. You can hear the noise level drop. This strip is for my digital source only.

There was no improvement when I moved the copper/brass to the middle or end of the strip.

Tbg, Thats what I thought that the shorting plugs were not to be used on outputs.

So, I sent an email to the gent selling some of these shorting plugs on Audiogon, here is a portion of his reply.
_________________
"Hi, Thank you for your inquiry. The digital-terminators can be uses on in- and outputs. The analog-terminators "shorties" can only be used on inputs - never on outputs! "

Then I dug up a review of the Digital Shorting plugs.

From a review of the digital shorting plugs.
___________
"Now this one is completely new to me – both the concept and the application. The explanation for its effectiveness is somewhat different; it aims to combat not RFI but internal ‘reflections’ from unused S/PDIF in/outputs on CD players, transports and DACs, these claimed to interfere with the main output signal"

__________________________
I had some old RCA shorting plugs , some marked Digital and other analog. I used the the digital ones in both my CD Players input and output and it was a marked improvement. Putting copper sleeves over the Shorting plug dulled the sound.
When I pulled the copper sleeves off of the shorting plugs the CD player glitched and froze.
I unplugged and replugged the player and all is well, but I am not using the copper sleeves over the shorting plug..

Ozzy, I suspect there is a resistor in terminal and digital shorting plugs or that they are merely covers, such as those by Cardas.

There is a resistor.

"A 75 Ohm resistor within an RCA phono plug for the termination of the unused digital output or input can avoid this problem. The result is a more accurate, cleaner and well-balanced sound."

I wish they had chosen another name rather than shorting plug. People are going to put real shorting plugs into output and damaging their electronics.

They should call it a "Loading plug" opposed to "Shorting Plug"

Actually, I think they call it a terminator. I have been calling it a shorting plug, sorry.

Hello everyone

If you guys are interested in a cheap tweak, trying experimenting using different mouse pads under your cd, dac or laptop, I am currently using Certified data mouse pads under my bda-1 dac and it made a noticeable difference. It gave the dac a more weight and focus with out loss of dynamics. You can buy certified data mouse pads at London Drugs only.

They are different type of mouse pad and i am curious to see what they are made of, maybe sometime of carbon/foam mixture but they work and they are cheap.

You need two to get under all four feet of your cd or dac,or just under your laptop.

Give a try and at the very least you have two very good mousepads.

Sorry for hijacking this thread i find it interesting

WOw, I just realize that the Zu brand is using the same concept.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?powrcabl&1245135330&/Zu-Cable-Bok-1-Meter-Power-cab

Nasaman Note on Page one of this thread I stated that Zu is already doing it yes.

Couple of maufacturers have been using steel or brass microbearing fill in their cables for vibration control as well as for shielding purposes for many years. Starsound being the first that I know of and then Virtual Dynamics. Tom

Bump, any latest update from ones who tried this tweak?

This is a great tweak that works. I have tweaked the tweak. Before I plug the IEC end of the powercord with the copper coupler on it. I cut a 1 inch strip of Teflon plumbers tape and put it on top of my IEC plug where the three prongs slide in the unit. There is always a space there. If you put the Teflon tape on the outer housing of your IEC plug and not directly on the three prong plug you will fall way short of the best results. In MY system there is an increase in blackness and dynamics to go with the smoothness that the copper coupler brings. Of course make sure the copper coupler is touching the chassis of your unit. Great tweak that works on my Power Amp and Digital player. Will try it on my preamp next.

Why would this have an effect? Does it reduce vibrations of the copper coupler and the chassis?

Tbg, I did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but my guess is yes it has something to do with reducing vibrations of the copper coupler. With that said, I have been using the Teflon plumbers tape like this for years, And it has always added better dynamics and blackness to the powercords I have used it on. The coupling( pardon the pun) of the two gives you the best of both worlds. It's only an inch long, but I'm sure life has taught us all every inch counts.

I tried it IMS and it rolled off the high frequencies and decreased dynamics so they went back to Home Depot.

Jejaudio, Sorry, but I am not understanding what you are recommending.
Are you putting the teflon tape over the power cord female IEC conductors? Or are you putting it over the the CD Players male IEC conductors? Or what ?

Ozzy just put a small strip of Teflon tape over the power cord female IEC. Another way to do it is to just plug your power cord in your unit and take the teflon tape strip and lay it between the power cord IEC and the units, There is always a gap there. Of coarse you wouldn't want the block the IEC holes with the Teflon strip. Just put it right on top of the power cord IEC then plug it in.

I tried this today. I had absolutely no expectations. First I put a copper sleeve on the power cord of my Linn Ikemi CDP. I did hear a difference. Highs and background sounds in the upper treble were more pronounced, but not for the better. Too tipped up, too pronounced, not exactly etched but just too much treble. I had the same experience on the Cary slp98 Preamp power supply. On my Wyred 4 Sound amp the treble was virtually the same as with the other components with the mid bass also very pronounced. Not boomy at all, extremely taught and firm, but over bearing. So for me, in my system, the copper changes the sound wherever I put it but always to the detriment of the listening experience.

My system is very balanced, neutral and extended. I can see if you are lacking some resolution, and detail that this could be a great tweak.

Just continues to prove how different every system is, and how much everything matters.

Great thread!

Leatherneck1812, Upper treble glare should not be one of the changes with the copper sleeve.
Just put the copper sleeve over the IEC end only on the CD player, thats where you will notice the most improvment.

Ozzy,

I bought 2 and have had them by themselves or as a pair on every IEC plug. In my system it puts the treble over the top. Even just on the CDP which is where I started. FWIW I also tried heavy duty aluminium foil and it did the same thing. A change but not an improvement in my system.
Russ

I put a 1" copper tube on the IEC of my ARC CD3MKII. I got it at Lowes for $1.88. I didn't hear any difference. I suppose I could get my money back. I won't tell them what I used it for.

When I was a kid, people would put tin foil on their rabbit ears (TV antenna) for better reception. That didn't seem to help much either.

Tonywinsc, Its hard to believe that a 1 " coupler fit over your power cord. You must be using an el cheapo cord.
So, you are out $1.88 for trying,,,
Better to put your money into a quality power cord.

Jim Smith pointed me in the direction of this posting and AA. I picked up a couple of copper couplings at the local hardware store this weekend. I can honestly say this is the cheapest tweak (about $5.00 each) I've ever made to a system that made such an audible difference. I figured, what the heck. $5.00 isn't like dropping another couple or three hundred on interconnects or a grand on speaker wires. The increased bass and level of detail was astonishing. The really great thing is that this isn't some voodoo solution being sold by an audio company. It's something anyone can do at little to no expensed.

Sabledog, no "voodoo" solution. Please tell us what this is doing.

Tbg, I think Sabledog is refering to the fact that he can tell the improvement, its not one of those things that you have to convince yourself that there may be an improvement.

What I have noticed is a tightening of the bass and a clearer defined soundstage.

That being said, some posters have stated no improvement and one said it made the treble glare.

The point Sabledog and myself are making is that for a very minimal cost you can experience if the copper sleeve is an improvement for your equipment.

Ozzy, I know Sabledog likes the couplers. It is his crack about voodoo that I am curious about. Does he "understand" why the couplers work in his system and not mine? There is much about this hobby that is just trial and error.

Do a search for ferrite tubes or clamps. These have been used on AC cords, ICs, inside components where the IEC wires enter a component, etc. Same concept.

On Cd's players use two copper sleeves, one on each end of the power cord, your jaw will drop, in fact use two on the male and one on the IEC end. There will be no going back.

Unless you use a charged pc. I get no effect whatsoever with the Syn. Res. Hologram D pc.

This is far the cheapest way to improve your audio system and better than even switching power cords and cables.

Everything improves. Tip use two at the male end of your cd player than one at the IEC end. Zero noise, more body and micro details.

On non digital gear it is case by case. I choose to go without, but with my old audience power cords they sound much improved with one cooper union on each of the male plug ends.

This is by far one of the best bang for the buck addition I have ever used in my system.

Everyone who as tried it have said about the same thing.

You blocking noise from the outside world, now to add to that get some rca shorting plugs (not Cardas caps) use then on all unused inputs, less noise again and this is also cheap.

If you run balanced like me do not use them on the RCA jacks on the same input as the XLR.

Guys,

I tried this also and noticed a deeper and quieter background. Done the pre also but thought is was better without the sleeves. Will try on my dac when it comes in since digital appears to have alot of grunge.

I suspect that with shielded and charged powercords, such as those by Synergistic Research, you get no improvement. At least I got nothing doing this.

What about at the receptacle on the wall ? If the shielding works at the equipment end, why doesn't it work at the wall outlet end.
I haven't read every post so this may have been addressed already.