Keeping the IEC connector snug (US)..
 

Ok, so twice now I've had the IEC power connection come lose from just barley touching the associated cable behind my system while dusting off the area around the connection... Seems like with the stock "cheap" cables, the IEC remains connected much better than with the much heavier after market cables, and the actual IEC connector (big well known brand) is made of a relatively hard plastic that just slides out too easily.

Is there a trick to keeping these snug and fit on the power supply of the associated component?

Prop them up and ensure they are going straight into the wall. Also sounds like your duplex may need to be replaced as it should grip the aftermarket cord better.

Can you explain what you mean by that? the components are brand new... or are you saying use a very different IEC input on all my stuff?

Over time, duplexes loosen their grip with successive use.

What type of duplex do you have if you are talking the plug into the wall?

Some also have tighter tolerances than others...

If I misunderstood and you literally mean the IEC into your component, your only recourse could be propping the cable up as tolerances can vary.

If I understand your question correctly... I have the Furtech FI-28 Gold ... on my Gutwire B10 and SV12 power cables. Everything is practically brand new... so wear isn't the issue. My theory is the combination of harder plastics used in the Furtch FI-28 IEC and the additional mass makes it difficult to create enough friction to stay put...

https://www.thecableco.com/sv-12-power-cord.html

If I remember correctly, the recommendation I'd read in the past is to wrap Teflon tape around the plug on the IEC (female) end of the cord to make the connection more snug.

that makes sense... that would create a friction that is similar to rubber on rubber.

Yes, and tolerances on both male and female are often off by microns enough to make things loose. Best bet, suggest propping them up so they go in straight and are supported somehow.

I use Furutech NCF Boosters to support the IEC end connecting to the gear. Not too expensive, and works like a champ.

https://www.audioaficionado.org/atta...1&d=1605917395

now we're cooking with crisco... I think I'm gonna order a few of these.

https://www.audioaficionado.org/show...rutech+booster

Mine in use;

http://www.furutech.com/images/2017/...ter-image1.jpg

Yes,...a great solution to the challenge!

There are industry solutions available if you are willing to swap out the connector. Follow the link, then open the data sheet (may download to your computer first). These may not be compatible with very heavy/large cables though. Just FYI.

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/...FeUgKr8Jw-jVpA

I've had good luck with these...just snip off the tabs if they interfere with the power cord plug.

https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-In...5986006&sr=8-1

Very cool idea...guess this emphasizes the possible tolerance variations in various manufacturing processes.

Keeping the IEC connector snug (US)..
 

I am intrigued by these but they are pricey. Thanks for sharing.

True...who needs a 100-pack of these? Bad marketing decision...

GW Shark... Welcome to AA! :wave:

Even though you were a lurker for 11 years. :p

:shades: I do!


:laughin:

So true [emoji1787]

Common black electrical tape. Two to three turns around the connector. Works extremely good and costs almost nothing. And it’s adjustable (more or less wraps).

The IEC standard dimensions for inlets and connectors has a wide tolerance. So some connectors versus certain inlets fit better or worse than other combinations.

There are better electrical inlets but manufacturers refuse to use them. The IEC C19 being one of the good ones. Some manufacturers use them for amplifiers. But some companies (Audio Research) use them on their reference preamplifier and DACs because they provide a more secure connection and better performance.

Cool gadget! My connector is loose as well in the socket so this is a very nice and simple solution.

Welcome aboard by the way!

Those look pretty cool...I could use some of those. How much are they, Ivan?

Stephen... they work extremely well; and retail for $349 each.

https://www.monoandstereo.com/2018/0...er-review.html

I use many of them throughout my systems.

You can say that again. The IEC C15 connectors on my EAR 324 phono stage and Schiit Gungnir DAC have gotten pretty loose over the years. I've been using little blocks of hardwood under the PC C15 plug to ensure the PC is exactly straight going in to the C15 socket (per Mark's suggestion), but I could foresee in some applications where my small or large blocks of wood may be too short or too tall (e.g...that Lampi, Caelin). I'll try the suggestion for electrical tape, but I have to say those blivets Ivan showed look pretty good.

I find electrical tape often results in a sticky gooey mess. A much better tape is photographic tape such as this, which is much neater to work with.

Electrical and photographic tape on one hand, fancy audiophile clamping devices on the other... What's an audiophile to do?

As for me, I use power cords that are either stock or don't weigh a ton if of the fancy variety and have never had problems in 35 years.... :D

I'm leaning towards the Photo tape idea, or even the graphite tape idea...

Those things Ivan uses look amazing but the price tag well north of my budget or such a use.

I wouldn't know... I really don't spend money on accessories for a long time now. Whatever gets one closer to music I guess as this hobby is pretty silly without the main ingredient which music itself? :smoking:

The thing about music is it's by far the most subjective part of the "hobby" as we call it... the rest of it, and what probably fuels forums like this is the chatter about the electronics, mechanics and mechanisms we use to generate said music since that is a more objective discussion.


For example, I have asked on forums before for advice on the best recording of, say Bach's Brandenburg concerto ... only to be dissatisfied with the interpretations suggested to me by someone who swore up and down it was the finest recording and orchestra he'd ever heard... meantime, I stumble across a great recording (Florilegium) all on my own by just grinding thru a dozen versions on Qobuz and Tidal... end up downloading a copy off NativeDSD...

Oh yeah, that brings up that whole discussion, "are you an audiophile or a music lover or both". But we have strayed away from the main topic of trying to keep our connectors nice and snug as they have a tendency of getting loose. :D We don't want that getting in the way of our enjoyment of music! :no:

A little Blu-Tack on the underside of the plug will hold it up straighter, hold it in place better, and is easily removable with no residue.

Alan Parsons once famously said "Audiophiles don’t use their equipment to listen to music. Audiophiles use your music to listen to their equipment”

Thing is, just as with amateur radio (something I've been involved in for 30 years).. The fun is in BOTH the music (radio chatter) and the equipment ..

This is the reason 95% or more of the Audiophiles are men... because as Dr. Jordan Peterson pointed out in what is almost a self evident and obvious statement (even if it was controversial) ... "Men like to work with things, and women like to work with people"...

this is why brick layers, pilots, engineers, and scientists (not in biological fields) tend to be overwhelmingly male.. This is why 99% of our wives just shake their head when we drop thousands of dollars on this stuff.... it's not like all of those women don't love great music.. they just don't get our obsession with isolated power supplies and parallel DAC circuitry.

These sell each, but the freight charge is about $15, so not sure if it is any better:
https://www.colorpowercables.com/pow...ocking-sleeve/

so do those work on both types... meaning the notched kind and the un-notched kind of IEC connector?

I might grab a few and try it out.. a perfect solution if they work.

They might need a bit of trimming to fit with the notched connector. They are soft plastic and easily cut with x-acto knife or scissors...

Thank you! I enjoy learning from all the great minds here...

:thankyouspin:

https://d2ycltig8jwwee.cloudfront.ne...l.5da7e264.jpg

I ordered more of these today; they are now $365 retail each.