ikhuong Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 (edited) Hello fellow members, I have a Trifield EMF Meter Model TF2 for fun and tried an apple-to-apple test in shielding performance among power cables and IEC models that I have. Below is the cable list in the test: - Standard/Kettle power cables - Audio Principe Premium with Wattgate 320i IEC - Audio Principe Signature 1.5m with Furutech FI-11-N1(G) IEC - Isotek Evo3 Sequel 1.5m with Isotek Premium IEC - Isotek Evo3 Elite 1.5m with Isotek Premium IEC - Shunyata Venom NR-V10 with Shunyata's IEC - Fututech DPS-4.1 1.5m with Fututech FI-28 IEC - Fututech DPS-4.1 1.5m with Fututech FI-50 IEC Cables are plugged to non-filtered power board in no load condition (IEC ends are unconnected). The testers are quite sensitive in positioning, also active/hot wire position inside cable/plug might contribute to the reading, hence the figures are only ETA to give general ideas on how good on shielding performance of power cables or IEC plugs. Feedback is welcome, but I would not debate about sound quality or snack oil or power cables make no difference, etc. - Standard/Kettle power cables: The radiation pickup from Trifield is off the scale, lol, there is nothing to expect in this shielding performance challenge. Reading in four positions: Position 1: off the scale, Position 2: off the scale, Position 3: 240 V/m , Position 4: 419 V/m - Audio Principe Premium with Wattgate 320i IEC: I am very impressed with budget Wattgate 320i Position 1: 15 V/m, Position 2: 8 V/m, Position 3: 42 V/m , Position 4: 91 V/m - Audio Principe Signature 1.5m with Furutech FI-11-N1(G) IEC I am extremely impressed with shielding quality from the Australian brand cable Position 1: 4V/m, Position 2: 0 V/m, Position 3: 10 V/m , Position 4: 97 V/m - Isotek Evo3 Sequel 1.5m with Isotek Premium IEC Position 1: 27V/m, Position 2: 7 V/m, Position 3: 156V/m , Position 4: 73 V/m - Isotek Evo3 Elite 1.5m with Isotek Premium IEC I am quite disappointed with the Isotek Premium IEC in radiation blockage. Position 1: 24 V/m, Position 2: 8 V/m, Position 3: 157V/m , Position 4: 220 V/m - Sh unyata Venom NR-V10 with S hunyata's IEC Similar to Isotek Elite, it looks like Shunyata uses a same OEM IEC for their Venom line, I am quite disappointed with the IEC in radiation blockage. Position 1: 13 V/m, Position 2: 7 V/m, Position 3: 198 V/m , Position 4: 119 V/m - Fututech DPS-4.1 1.5m with Fututech FI-28 IEC Similarly, radiation blockage from Fututech FI-28 IEC is not that impressive. Position 1: 21 V/m, Position 2: 17 V/m, Position 3: 6 V/m , Position 4: 209 V/m - Fututech DPS-4.1 1.5m with Fututech FI-50 IEC: This is you get what you pay for. I won't comment about sound quality but in a specific apple-to-apple test, Furutech is champion and great value for the money. Position 1: 11V/m, Position 2: 1 V/m, Position 3: 8V/m , Position 4: 56V/m Updated with some SNA's suggestions to test under load condition. I have try with a 1000w load of Pressure cooker. Each test was tried with a same cooking mode (Stew mode, confirmed similar amount of current pulled around 1000w from wall) Please find figures as below: - Fututech DPS-4.1 1.5m with Fututech FI-50 IEC: Position 1: 6 V/m, Position 2: 8 V/m, Position 3: 16 V/m , Position 4: 17V/m - Isotek Evo3 Elite 1.5m with Isotek Premium IEC400 Position 1: 14 V/m, Position 2: 16V/m, Position 3: 170V/m , Position 4: 924 V/m - Audio Principe Signature Position 1: 20 V/m, Position 2: 16V/m, Position 3: 25V/m , Position 4: 624 V/m Attachments: Edited October 7, 2020 by ikhuong 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lumholtzii Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 Nice work there Kevin, Thanks for your efforts. It makes me think that my investment in some Audio Principe Signatures has been a good choice ... buy Aussie, where you can ! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_m_54 Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 Yes shielded power cables work well to help prevent unshielded signal cables picking up unwanted RFI/EMI emanating from your power cable. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ittaku Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, ikhuong said: - Audio Principe Premium with Wattgate 320i IEC: I am very impressed with budget Wattgate 320i Position 1: 15 V/m, Position 2: 8 V/m, Position 3: 42 V/m , Position 4: 91 V/m - Fututech DSP-4.1 1.5m with Furutech FI-50 IEC: This is you get what you pay for. I won't comment about sound quality but in a specific apple-to-apple test, Furutech is the champion and great value for the money. Position 1: 11V/m, Position 2: 1 V/m, Position 3: 8V/m , Position 4: 56V/m A good test of shielding. Nice work. Certainly the Furutech is the winner in absolute shielding performance, however I'm not sure how you come to the conclusion that the cable that costs 10x as much as the Audio Principe for 60% better shielding is great value for money. I would have come to exactly the opposite conclusion. Edited October 6, 2020 by Ittaku 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted October 6, 2020 Volunteer Share Posted October 6, 2020 Maybe I'm missing something but readings of 220v/m and above (including "off the scale") seem really really dangerous to me?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikhuong Posted October 6, 2020 Author Share Posted October 6, 2020 (edited) 6 hours ago, Ittaku said: A good test of shielding. Nice work. Certainly the Furutech is the winner in absolute shielding performance, however I'm not sure how you come to the conclusion that the cable that costs 10x as much as the Audio Principe for 60% better shielding is great value for money. I would have come to exactly the opposite conclusion. It is not 10 times, putting fancy plugs Furutech FI-50 aside, let's compare apple-to-apple - Audio Principe is AU $299 for 1m for close to 13 gauge (3x 2.5mm) with Furutech FI-AU3112 (G) and Furutech FI-11-N1 (G) - Furutech DPS-4-1 is AU $727(US $521) excluding shipping for 1m of 11 gauge with Furutech FI-AU3112 (G) and Furutech FI-11-N1 (G) So: 2) 11gauge vs 13 awg are a real difference, the amount of conductors are enormously more 3) Furutech Alpha-OCC + DUCC (7N Class) vs Undisclosed OFC/purity information I mentioned I won't comment about sound quality in this topic but a hint that Furutech DPS-4-1 is the only cable I could see noticeable improvement in my system verus the rest Edited October 6, 2020 by ikhuong 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ittaku Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 (edited) 3 minutes ago, ikhuong said: It is not 10 times, putting fancy plugs Furutech FI-50 asides, let's compare apple-to-apple - Audio Principe is AU $299 for 1m for around 13 gauge (3x 2.5mm) with Furutech FI-AU3112 (G) and Furutech FI-11-N1 (G) - Furutech DSP-4-1 is AU $817.52 (US $585.94) for 1m of 11 gauge with Furutech FI-AU3112 (G) and Furutech FI-11-N1 (G) So: 2) 11gauge vs 13 awg are a real difference, the amount of conductors are enormously more 3) Furutech Alpha-OCC + DUCC (7N Class) vs Undisclosed OFC/purity information I mentioned I won't comment about sound quality in this topic but a hint that Furutech DSP-4-1 is the only cable I could see noticeable improvement in my system versus the rest Forgetting gauge, the completed premium Principe power cable is $160. Looking up the price of 1.5m of DSP-4-1 on thecableco it's about $1000 AUD without connectors. You were testing shielding but now you're talking about gauge and purity? One is also built, the other you have to make yourself (which is illegal unless you're an electrician.) Edited October 6, 2020 by Ittaku Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikhuong Posted October 6, 2020 Author Share Posted October 6, 2020 (edited) 4 minutes ago, Ittaku said: Forgetting gauge, the premium Principe power cable is $160. Looking up the price of 1.5m of DSP-4-1 on thecableco it's about $1000 AUD without connectors. You were testing shielding but now you're talking about gauge and purity? I won't buy cables from thecableco though, you can check out somewhere else, price is as per my sharing, PM me if you need to know exact place to purchase at the shared price from US Edited October 6, 2020 by ikhuong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muon* Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 (edited) 21 minutes ago, sir sanders zingmore said: Maybe I'm missing something but readings of 220v/m and above (including "off the scale") seem really really dangerous to me?? That's volts per meter The meter measures the radiated field, not direct contact voltages. Edited October 6, 2020 by muon* 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ittaku Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 1 minute ago, ikhuong said: I won't buy cables from thecableco though, you can check out somewhere else, price is as per my sharing, PM me if you need to know exact place to purchase at the shared price from US It's still unterminated power cable which as I added is illegal for you to build yourself, whereas the other product is a completed product. Try looking up the price of an equivalent completed Furutech power cable instead since you're comparing apples to apples. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cloth Ears Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 23 minutes ago, sir sanders zingmore said: Maybe I'm missing something but readings of 220v/m and above (including "off the scale") seem really really dangerous to me?? 2 minutes ago, muon* said: That's volts per meter WHO gives 5000V/m as a 'safe limit'. On the ground under high voltage power lines can be well over 10,000V/m - a fridge or an iron might measure 120V/m. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stump Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 All my cables are Fututech..No complaints.. Stump 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decky Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 (edited) Nice work! Suggestions/questions: - would it make any difference if the test was done under load? What were you really measuring since there was no current flow through the cables? It would be very interesting to compare/correlate the results to the differences in the cable construction. Edited October 6, 2020 by Decky 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_m_54 Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 26 minutes ago, Decky said: Nice work! Suggestions/questions: - would it make any difference if the test was done under load? What were you really measuring since there was no current flow through the cables? It would be very interesting to compare/correlate the results to the differences in the cable construction. Good point, I totally missed that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewantsmoore Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 1 hour ago, Decky said: - would it make any difference if the test was done under load? Then there would be a magnetic field too (moving charge).... in addition to the electric field that is being measured here. ... but magnetic fields can't be easily shieled by the cable. Mag fields pass through most things. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikhuong Posted October 6, 2020 Author Share Posted October 6, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Decky said: Nice work! Suggestions/questions: - would it make any difference if the test was done under load? What were you really measuring since there was no current flow through the cables? It would be very interesting to compare/correlate the results to the differences in the cable construction. Good idea, I will try on my next bored days, my amp can pull a constant of 300w in idle or maybe I can hook those power cables to a rice cooker or heater, Edited October 6, 2020 by ikhuong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikhuong Posted October 6, 2020 Author Share Posted October 6, 2020 (edited) 4 hours ago, Decky said: Nice work! Suggestions/questions: - would it make any difference if the test was done under load? What were you really measuring since there was no current flow through the cables? It would be very interesting to compare/correlate the results to the differences in the cable construction. Under 1000w load, the DPS-4-1 still held an impressive shielding performance - Fututech DPS-4.1 1.5m with Fututech FI-50 IEC: Position 1: 6 V/m, Position 2: 8 V/m, Position 3: 16 V/m , Position 4: 17V/m - Isotek Evo3 Elite 1.5m with Isotek Premium IEC Position 1: 14 V/m, Position 2: 16V/m, Position 3: 170V/m , Position 4: 924 V/m - Audio Principe Signature Position 1: 20 V/m, Position 2: 16V/m, Position 3: 25V/m , Position 4: 624 V/m Edited October 6, 2020 by ikhuong 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decky Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 DSP-4.1 is an impressive cable 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decky Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 Isotek Evo 3 Elite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decky Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 Audio Principe Signature (no picture) Claim: " Braided shielding and inner metal shield attached at the plug end only, give 100% coverage to provide protection against EMI and ensure clean power supply." A very common misconception used in "audio" power cables - single side shield connection does not protect well against EMI. It also does not make a lot of sense. A good reference on the topic: https://www.ranecommercial.com/legacy/note151.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikhuong Posted October 6, 2020 Author Share Posted October 6, 2020 7 minutes ago, Decky said: DSP-4.1 is an impressive cable Indeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnL Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 (edited) Everyone calling it DSP when it's DPS!!!!..............LOL Tried pricey 7N cable before (Acrolink 7N P4020iii) and didn't work for me. FWIW...........have had great results with Gigawatt (solid core) and DIY Belden 83803 (both with Furutech connectors) Would be interesting to know how all abovementioned cables would measure on ikhuongs EMF Meter Nice work........ Edited October 6, 2020 by JohnL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikhuong Posted October 6, 2020 Author Share Posted October 6, 2020 2 minutes ago, JohnL said: Everyone calling it DSP when it's DPS!!!!..............LOL Tried pricey 7N cable before (Acrolink 7N P4020iii) and didn't work for me. FWIW...........have had great results with Gigawatt (solid core) and DIY Belden 83803 (both with Furutech connectors) Would be interesting to know how all abovementioned cables would measure on ikhuongs EMF Meter Nice work........ Good spotting out, I fixed it, lol 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elmura Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 On 06/10/2020 at 10:52 PM, Decky said: A very common misconception used in "audio" power cables - single side shield connection does not protect well against EMI. It also does not make a lot of sense. A good reference on the topic: It actually does make sense. Noise absorbed on the shield is drained to the Earth Pin's return current rather than injecting it into the connected device which has an unknown grounding scheme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elmura Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 On 06/10/2020 at 2:37 PM, ikhuong said: The testers are quite sensitive in positioning Although tedious, to get a more accurate comparison would require averaging over a few locations along the length of the cable, plus different rotations of the IEC plug as it would vary where the current flow''s EMF is located relative to the tester. ie. At one measurement location you may be closest to Earth, another closest to Active, yet another, somewhere between. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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