Best C19 cable for an Hydra.

[mandawebs]

Hello,

I can get a Sigma Analog eTron and a Sigma NR to connect the Hydra to the wall. What is the best option?.

Regards,

Mandawebs.

[GrantS]

Hi,

The Sigma NR will deliver overall better performance. The more electronics you have going into the Hydra, the more important the cord to the wall becomes, especially if there are say, 5 or more components and, or amps going into a Hydra. Sigma Analog would be a good cost-saving second option and delivers excellent performance, just not the equal of the NR and a Hydra.

I hope this is of some help.

Grant

[brodricj]

I'm curious why 230V units have a C19 and not C15. You don't need a 20A socket on a domestic 230V device. The wall socket is only 10A. Reduces the options for power cables to the wall, unless you use an adapter on the Denali.

[GrantS]

Hi,

20 (C-19) connectors are far more standardized in terms of their spec and fit into female C-19 component housings than any commercially available C-15 IEC, which is critical in terms of safety, connectivity and throughput of instantaneous current. The metal contacts of C-19 connectors are larger for superior connection and fit, and the internal housing allows easier contact access when terminating larger gauge conductors.

C-15 (15A) connectors have varying spec's, fit, circumference and generally smaller metal contacts, which is why there is often criticism of the fit between typical 15A connected power cords and a component's 15A female housing. We had to design and manufacture our own over-sized C-15 connectors so that they fit snugly in virtually all types of C-15 component housings. We also oversized our C-15 IEC's internally so that we can more easily terminate up to 5 awg. conductors in some of our power cord models. This is simply not possible in common 15A connectors of any type without shaving conductors down (and what's the point of that).

After 20 years, everything we do is carefully weighed and considered based on that experience. Each connection is critical to the foundational element of performance and the secure delivery of peak-current impulse, what we call DTCD, to electronics. Otherwise, we wouldn't invest the resources we have into custom manufacturing virtually every part and connection that goes into the power cords and distributors. Everything is very purposeful and can be explained, measured and demonstrated.

Electronics that output an analog signal are hyper-sensitive to peak-current, even DAC's and pre-amps. Even the smallest advantage you can implement to better serve peak current transfer will produce an audible benefit (that's literally the entire reason behind the 6 figure + premium outlet industry -- nothing to do with fancy metal plates, its all about the better contacts and electrical connections). The 20A IEC is simply the most secure and better performing IEC for a very high-current contact point that (often) supports a system's worth of electronics.

All of our power cord models with the exception of the Venom 14 model can be made with the C-19 (20A) IEC.


Best regards,
Grant