Does anyone here have any experience with different Mains Cables?

A few years ago, a friend of mine bought a Nordost Shiva mains cable and tried it in his system. I remember him plugging it into his primare amplifier and the noise floor definitely drooped, it just sounded “blacker”, if that makes sense. Although, he preferred the extra detail given by using it, on his Naim CD player. Anyway…

He give me his old Music Works cable which is normally plugged into my preamp. I’ve been experimenting trying this on my mono blocks ( I just switch the other monoblock off!)

On simple tracks, the noise floor definitely drops as well, which makes it easier to hear more detail. On more “busy” tracks, it can give the impression that the music has lost a bit of dynamic range. Personally, I thinks its just because the sound is more tidy and focuses, though I’m not sure.

As I use Nordost Cables throughout my system, I was just going to save up for two Nordost Shiva cables, but I’m curious to see if anyone has any experience of other brands, say Russ Andrews.

At the back of mind, I heard an Arcam, Spendor system with expensive Russ Andrews cables, and it was just warm sounding with one note bass. So I’m a bit sceptical about using another brand of cable.

P.S – I’m not a cable nut, but just though it’s a relatively cheap upgrade, compared to a new Dac at £2-£3.5k.

Differences are minor, I'd never go mad on a mains cable they are just insane price wise, I always suggest buy the cable f the reel, not ready made and then add the plugs of your choice, be it normal or something like Oyaide, wattgate, furutech etc.

Over on another forum there's alot of good things said about these http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=45_18&products_id=69&zenid=qmc4g6c3daqfujcld72ip0j9p0 (sorry about the long link)

One guy replaced £800 a pop Transparent mains cables with these! Relatively little money for an Hi-Fi cable.

800 pounds IMHO is total madness even when the top Oyaide plugs and Tunami cable is no where near that, so I for one am not suprised there was not much difference, I think MG cables are just Belden wires, why not just source the cable and make it yourself?

It would be around £450 for two mains cables, which I know sounds crazy. Part of the reason why I havent allready bought them.

I wouldnt mind having a go at making my own cable, it just I dont really know who will supply twisted / shielded mains cable. I've done a quick search on google, but havent found any suitable suppliers.

Also, does anyone where thing the plug used, at either end of the cable, makes much difference?

Silver High Breed also do mains cable, £20ish plus postage for 0.5m. Might be worth a try before sprnding more.

I've played with some insanely expensive cables and some less expensive ones. My results have varied quite substantially and cost is not an immediate indicator of worth. I've had some mains cables simply mismatch the kit I plugged them into and therefore the solution was less than the stock cables. In other situations I've had really great results. Whatever you do, test on the basis that if it doesn't work you can give them back and have your money returned.

Buy from a dealer it is then, unless I can get a bargin elsewhere.

I'd proberly just go for the shiva's, dont want to risk unsetting the balance of the system but going to another manufacturer

Are Russ Andrews ones any good? I was given a Yello? Haven't tried it yet.