FAQ Search Results

Hi . Can is use this to plug into my tv and then plug an optical cable into the other end to connect to an amp?
This product is for adapting Toslink cable connectors to a Mini Toslink connector (3.5mm optical). If either your TV or amplifier requires a Mini Toslink connector, this adapter can help. Please note, it is uncommon for a TV to have mini Toslink output - TVs normally have standard Toslink output sockets.
How should these speaker cables be connected to the amp ? Do I follow the writing on the cable from the speaker to the amp , or the other way around, ie the amp is the source feeding into the speaker ? I know this sounds like a silly question, but I took my system apart several months ago, and now can’t remember what way I had it . Thanks .
As a rule, the printing on speaker cables (or most signal cables) runs in the direction of the signal. In this case, from the amplifier to the speakers.
Hi Does this stylus work with technics 1210
If your Technics 1210 has the standard 1/2” mounting distance, common on Technics headshells. It will fit. Although compliance is slightly high, it remains within the medium compliance range recommended for the Technics tonearm. In short, a 22 µm/mN compliance cartridge is highly suitable for your Technics SL-1210. The Soundsmith Otello offers a warm and clear sound profile with good separation and an expansive soundstage.
What direction do you install the cables
Hi Stephen When it comes to jumper cables there is no real issue as far as directionality is concerned ; the important part is ensuring you connect the positive and negative HF and LF terminals correctly. Whilst some customers claim that they can hear slight differences depending on which way the cables are run there is no real factual evidence to back that up , unlike with directionality in the actual speaker cables themselves which can improve performance
I need 3 PSU’s to replace my AKG PSU with an output of 12V DC - 500mA, will these work even though they are 12V DC - 2A? Thank you
Yes. 2A means it can output up to 2A ma. So if your device requires 500mA, it's fine.
I’ve got £1–2k. Where should I spend it first?
There can be lots of areas to make potential improvements to your system, however, this changes greatly depending on where you are with your system. If you were starting from a new Hi-Fi system which was just set up, then we would recommend looking at the power delivery first. This includes Power conditioning, distribution, cables and fuses. If you have already good quality power upgrades, then we would recommend looking at the signal chain for any potential improvements to cabling, isolation and acoustics. If you would like some tailored recommendations for you system, then please contact one of our consultants and we would be happy to help you!
Is my streamer overkill for the rest of the system?
A well known saying in the industry is that your system is only as good as your source. There are of course debates around this, however, the more detailed your source material, the more likely you are to hear the most out of your Hi-Fi system. So there is no harm in having a higher quality streamer, or in some cases, a turntable, or a CD transport, as this can allow you to hear more of your system. There are also always options to upgrade other parts of your system one-by-one to match the streamer. 
If I upgrade one thing, what gives the biggest lift?
There are lots of components and tweaks that can offer a lift in performance, however, our current favourite is the UK 13A mains fuse from your wall socket to your distribution block or amplifier. This is an often overlooked component in most systems but the improvements far outweigh it's size and cost.
When does diminishing returns kick in?
Diminishing returns are often used to explain the decrease in percentage performance gain of upgrades for Hi-fi systems. The difficulty with this is that the diminishing point changes depending on the system in question. A system worth less than £1000 will have a much lower diminishing returns point than a system worth £100,000. There is also an aspect of worth to the listener that can affect the point of diminishing returns, as one listener may hear more benefit from a component upgrade than another. All in all, this is a personal subjective measurement based upon your own system and circumstances.
Do cables actually make a difference?
Short answer, yes! There are a wide variety of cables available across different connections and quality levels, all of which can offer a benefit to different systems. This does not, however, imply that every cable will offer an improvement on every system. Finding the right cable requires looking at the components in your system, their sound signature, your room acoustics, the type of music you listen to, and matching this to a cable's materials and geometry. This process can be difficult, which is why we offer free expert advice paired with a 60 days cable money back guarantee. 
Power cable vs interconnect vs speaker cable – which matters most?
All cables matter, and your system will require good quality cables for all of it's connections, however, if you were looking for the cable which will make the biggest difference, then we would recommend looking at the power cables from your wall socket, to your distribution block and/or amplifier. More often than not, we hear from customers, manufacturers, and our own tests that higher quality power cables can have a significant impact of the quality of your system.
How much should I spend relative to my system?
Historically, there was a 80/20 rule in the industry which denoted spending 80% on your system, and 20% on the "accessories". Over the last 20 years, we have found there are so many more opportunities for improvement in the "accessories" side of Hi-Fi compared to the component side which led us to believe the 80/20 rule no longer works. This is not to say that you should spend 2 or 3 times as much, however, there are benefits to not restricting your spend based upon 20% of your systems worth. We have heard many systems where the cabling, isolation, acoustics and tweaks have been worth equal amounts to the system and the performance is greater than that of spending twice as much on the components. So our recommendation is not to limit your spend based on your system, but to find the right products for your needs.
Copper vs silver vs hybrid?
There is no be all, end all with the conductors used in cabling, as each construction offers slightly different benefits. Some systems sound better with pure copper conductors, where as other systems benefit from some silver plating. In most cases, you will find that Copper offers a more neutral sound, Silver offers a more detailed sound, and hybrid offers more open sound. However, this is not always the case as the conductor is only one part of the cables construction, so please speak to our consultants for further recommendations and advice.
Balanced (XLR) vs RCA at home?
If you have a system which accepts both XLRs and RCAs, we would typically recommend using the XLR connections, as they offer a lower noise floor. However, if you system is pre-dominantly RCAs, then we would recommend sticking with RCAs throughout your system, rather than mixing and matching.
Is a power block enough or do I need conditioning?
This depends on the components being powered and the levels of noise within your local mains connections. There is equipment available to measure the noise in your mains, however, one of the easiest ways is to try a power conditioner for your source components and hear if there is any difference during your listening. If there is minimal to no difference, then a good quality power block may be your best option.
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