Value Power Cable - Monosaudio

[One and a half]

With the rearrangement of the music room shifting regularly, some Furutech Ag power cables were either too short or not enough of them. For Silver plated copper, they didn't sound too bad, compared to Oyaide Tunami they were just a little better than stock cables. The Tunami is 10 AWG cable, the Furutech 12 AWG, the loads are power amps, so the 10AWG is fine, but at USD120/ft and 15' run, the Tumai is beyond my budget now.

To suit 230V system, any Nema connector and cable isn't going to work, and Aussie connectors are few and far between of good quality, decided years ago to standardise on Euro connectors being of the right voltage and a wide choice of cables and connectors. Now to find a cable that's 10AWG and won't break the bank. Amazon.de have quite a few Chinese cables on offer for good prices, at least more reputable than e-bay, which want the money first, then ship, extending delivery to several months....

 

One cable manufacturer from China, Monosaudio at least has a website and unlike many cable manufacturers put their name on the cable, and by looks of the connectors, make OEM for other manufacturers. The offered power cable the 902R is a three core design, with each core screened and an overall screen with foil. I did have a look at other braided copper designs, however the coverage wasn't 100%, still allows a field to sneak in, which is not good.

 

For EUR107, the 902 1m, considering the size of wire is 'reasonable'. That's with MwSt, some 17%+ tax, which comes off export, that more or less pays for the freight form Germany.

 

 

The cable and the connector have a good quality about them, certainly no below spec. IR at 500V and sailed through that with no issues.  Removed the IEC connector to have a closer look, was worried about the collar unscrewing without a tool and exposing conductors, but this wasn't the case.  The colour coding was a little strange, Red for the Line (no issue) stranded white 16 AWGg for neutral (OK for USA), and black for ground, which is not OK, the PE should be green/yellow. The AAA battery is shown to compare the size of the connector and cable only. This cable is 2m.

 

 

 A better photo of the structure

Earth connection shown, black sleeving, maybe they wired it wrong? Earths cannot be multiconductor, but can be multi stranded.

 

The shields are connected at the male end of the cable, which is fine.

 

 

There are direction arrows on the cable, but since the connectors determine the source and load, it's kind of superfluus, however in a busy panel where mutliple cables converge, having the direction is very handy to identify cables.

 

The connector material looks like a varnished copper, could be heat or cold treated to give it that colour, certainly very even, not spotty at all.

 

In use with bi-amps, I made the box with the dual Furutech outlets. Internal wiring is 10AWG SPC.

 

 

The Monosaudio 902R have been in the system for a few weeks now, today received the 5m 902R and immediately the bass took off, the top end rounded off nicely, with no splash. Look, it's not  night and day, but definitely better than the Furutech Ag and pleasant to listen to. Depth much the same as before, I'd say the image stability has firmed, would put this down to the screening.

 

The factory is quite approachable, the 5m cable was a special at USD325, I think if they invest in an e-commerce software, sales would be a lot easier, but now rely on distributorships, mainly on the connector side. 

 

I was dubious about the Chinese quality and finish, however the Monosodio cables deliver great sound quality for the value they deliver, certainly would have to spend a great deal more for a small amount of SQ improvement.

 

Highly recommended!

 

[Speedskater]

Most Authority's Having Jurisdiction require safety listings of all AC power cords and cables.

The above cord is a poor and expensive choice.

Just get some shielded Belden cable, and be done with it.

 

[One and a half]

Looking at the close up photo on the Aliexpress site for the 902 cable, the cores are clearly Red, Black and green.

The plug above is wired wrong, the earth and neutral colours are transposed.

Colours with the exception of the Green (should be green/yellow) is OK for EU, AU/NZ that I know of, but unsuitable for USA. 

 

[dericchan1]

Not their power cords, but glad to report that the monosaudio rhodium plated banana plugs are very well made, the locking mechanism works great, nice and tight. (I have tried many banana plugs in the past and they would fit loose with my synthesis soprano amp terminals and these locking banana plugs lock in really nicely)

 

Very reasonably priced as well at about $50USD for 8 plugs

Highly recommended!!!