We've experimented with various premium power cords, and we've reached an important conclusion: the cheap power cords included with even expensive audio gear are trash. At the most basic level the first thing to do is to replace your standard mains cables-they're kettle leads for goodness sake- with Ecosse Powerchords™ and so make sure the mains sockets feeding your system can do their job correctly.

You may not know it, but your power cord may not only be delivering current to your electronics, but may also be acting like an antenna receiving EMI and RFI generated from appliances, cell phones alarm systems, satellite broadcasts, computer networks, on and on the list goes. That cord is broadcasting EMI and RFI straight to your gear. Not only that, your cord is also probably sending grunge inherent in the incoming AC to your audio system as well. The end result 'noise'. more...

Electro-Magnetic Interference / Radio Frequency Interference

What you are fighting in you mains system is not just one problem, but a number of problems, all of which affect the sound of your system. The first problem is earthing, or rather a lack of it. The next problem is EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference) and also RFI (Radio Frequency Interference).

The latter two are on the rise with mobile phones, wireless LAN's, digital radio and digital satellite TV broadcasting, all attacking your mains. Now with the imminent arrival of 3-G phones with their always live radio connections and wireless broadband internet connections, you are looking at a hideous soup of RFI that your mains just loves to transmit into your audio equipment. There is also the problem of electromagnetic interaction between components across the mains.

EMI interference is conducted from other audio components or appliances in your home (a humming refrigerator makes a lot of hash on you AC power lines, too). RFI is radiated by the components and cables themselves, and received from radio signals/noise in the environment (which is much worse in urban areas; all those cell phones, etc.).

It's all 'noise' and has varying affect on audio signals, which cannot improve them. Components and cables can be designed to reject RFI noise, and proper filtering of wall current and signal cables can reduce EMI conducted noise, and the results can be heard if you have quality equipment.

Noise masks detail, cuts musical decay times short, and acts like a hazy smog over the entire musical spectrum. Even if you own a power conditioner or surge protector, your power is vulnerable for that cable run to your gear.

Dealing with the mains should be considered fundamental. It ensures one of the most cost-effective upgrades. One could go as far as to say that a mains power cord should be considered as equally important as an interconnect or loudspeaker cable in terms of system synergy/maximum enjoyment. Put them on your 'front-end' and prepared to be amazed.

We do PowerChords™ to suit all systems in most countries. If in doubt please contact us here. more...

'Hospital grade' outlets, unlike conventional outlets, have superior wire fasteners and grasp the plug's prongs under pressure (hospitals don't like sparks around oxygen. The difference a well constructed and properly shielded power cable can make to your listening experience and enjoyment is, quite simply, breathtaking. It may well be the cheapest, most cost effective up-grade your system requires and remember; great sounding powerchords don't have to cost the earth-well not the Ecosse Powerchords™ anyway.

Remember, we're a purely handcrafting outfit. Unlike the big boys, all of our Powerchord cables are handcrafted right here, in Scotland. It's why we keep things small. It affords us the necessary attention to detail, and it's what we enjoy doing.

We cannot stress enough that significant improvements are possible from matching mains cable, loudSpeaker and interconnect cable-grade-wise (see our 'at-a-glance' grading table) throughout your system, thus enhancing synergy.

If you know what you want and wish to order now go here.

Information of a more technical nature expanding on the above is provided in our CABLE INFO section.