Reducing a computers EMI improves picture quality of attached monitors.

[JasonM]

I've just made an accidental discovery or least to myself, I was reducing EMI into my computer in an attempt to improve output from an Asus Essence STX II card.

By reducing EMI going into a computer, the picture quality of all attached monitors improves. I can only assume EMI goes into a computer by the mains, then travels via the graphics card into the digital connections, then enters the monitors. The improvement in picture quality is not small, but significant.

PSU is a Seasonic Prime Platinum 760. Graphics card is Quadro P620. Triple Ag Neovo Monitors connected by double shielded DVI connections, improvement is seen on all 3 screens. Case is an all metal Silverstone FT-02

The reduction in EMI was done using a Tacima CS947 and a 2 meter Russ Andrews classic powerkord.

After I found this I immediately googled 'EMI effects on DVI' and found a research paper on this exact subject.

EMI ANALYSIS OF DVI LINK CONNECTORS
MISSOURI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=8407&context=masters_theses

Others could try the same if wishing to improve picture. I've been on the OCUK forum since 2009, and don't recall anyone else posting about this subject before.

 

[JasonM]

Not read the link but does this also improve displayport and hdmi?
Also is this something you can showcase the difference?

It should work on HDMI and yes to displayport also. My Quadro P620 uses a displayport to DVI adapter.

Can't demonstrate, don't have a camera sensitive enough to show the difference.

Anyone interested in this should trust and verify for themselves.

 

[JasonM]

So you bought a £40 6 way mains extension lead/adapter, and a £??? posh kettle lead? You believe the picture quality improved in what way?

I've been using the Tacima mains conditioners for years, I have 6 at various places in the house. One thing the Tacima's do is remove DC that gets injected into the AC from LED transformers.

I already own other Russ Andrews cables I buy them second hand from eBay, that classic cable was £50. They use twisted pairs that counter EMI build up in the cable.

Picture is sharper / text is easily to read, less pixel bleed.

I'm a software engineer, this is my home office, anything to improve screen quality is a bonus. I already have professional glass fronted screens, Ergotron triple lift stand, BenQ Screen Bar, BenQ desk lights.

EDIT. I'm looking at these screens now, and the black parts of the screen are blacker. There is more contrast in the colours, but it's not the normal way by increasing contrast (where everything gets blown out), the contrast is there because there is less bleed and the darker areas (that should be darker) are darker. I've made no changes to any monitor settings, the changes are only from the other things mentioned

 

[JasonM]

Interesting Jason.

can you confirm the 3 monitors you are using and mentioned? Are all three being tested via the DP to DVI adapter and therefore DVI input in to the monitor?

There 3 x Ag Neovo E-W22 glass fronted that I've used for many years. All the monitors are connected by DVI, the Nvidia has a mini DVI to DVI adapter for each cable.

 

[JasonM]

It doesn't remove any DC, but the opposite: Higher frequency AC components.

And talking about picture quality while having some medieval old TNs...

They remove “Asymmetrical” as well as “Symmetrical” interference, Asymmetrical waveform is one that contains a DC component

taken from this

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Produc...b1-kjVBUVP590rgBFrMI3YliBEOK1ZsBoCqHIQAvD_BwE

 

[JasonM]

AC makes a lot more sense.

Had to look them up and they do indeed look ancient. Almost like someone wanted a bezel larger than on a CRT:
The images of the back seemed to show the stand as being fixed, but a review said that VESA mounting was possible.

I've had these screens over 10 years, I estimate they have worked over 200,000 hours. I have 3 of them mounted on a Ergotron LX Triple Lift Stand. The screens as there glass fronted, there also compact fluorescent back lit so there is no blue light issues. Downsides they take at least 30 mins before the picture is correct from cold, also there not that efficient.

I'm not to far from OCUK, when I visit I look at the monitors on display and there is nothing I really prefer so keep running these old screens. A few years ago I did upgrade to an LED screen but I returned it due to eye strain, then went back to my ancient screens.

 

[JasonM]

All I do know is I looked at reviews for the power 6 plug strip and it seems to get highly rated for the audio gang.

Yes they work to improve audio and visual. There is an issue with them however, they are power restrictive. So if you place to much load into one strip it will begin to degrade audio.

So in my home office, where i'm typing this, I have 4 of them. 2 are on active speakers (1 per studio monitor), 1 is on the computer, then 1 more to power the triple monitors (the displays).

Then again for my HTPC in the lounge there is 2. One connects to the HTPC, and a second for the separates system.

 

[JasonM]

Marketing BS.
EMI/RFI filters are basically low pass filters using inductors in series with load and capacitors in parallel with load.
Inductors resist change in current and hence have increasing impedance the higher the frequency.
Capacitors are opposite and conduct better the higher the speed of voltage change.
As result the higher the frequency of current component, the more its directed away from load.

http://www.cnemifilter.com/products...nverter-ups-single-phase-line-rfi-filter.html

It's ferroresonant type conditioners which would block DC.
By literally having big honky transformer in them.

For audio the bass is more connected using the Tacima, and as I understand this is a sign the mains AC waveform is asymmetrical.

 

[JasonM]

As good as the double wired speaker thread.

Next up, my food tastes better in the microwave with this cable as well.

I'm guessing you have never tried?

Russ Andrews Kimber power cables absolutely work, they reduce EMI from the cable.

This video shows how twisting two cables reduces EMI.

 

[JasonM]

I know how twisting two wires reduces interference, I do it daily in my job. But that's with analogue video, and only with the video wires not power.

Twisting a video / data cable is much more important than twisting the power cable.

I'm only using twisted power cable the last 1-2 meters, if you were running many hundreds of meters of power cable, it would not be cost effective, plus that amount of twisting would not be required.

With power cables it's the twisting near the end that helps removes the EMI. Bit similar to ferrite coils that are placed very near the end of some DC cables.

 

[JasonM]

Just to clarify this is what I'm referring to. The Tacima CS947 gives an improvement to audio / video. Then you get a further improvement if using the Russ Andrews cable, the cable in that photo is an older YelloPower. That said the Russ Andrews cable will give you an improvement even if it's plugged directly into the wall.

I recommend don't buy the Russ Andrews cables new, instead get them pre-owned from eBay where there cheaper. One thing to be careful when buying pre-owned is the cables can come a little loose in the plugs, so you have to open the plugs and check the screws are still tight.

There is a lot of demand for the Russ Andrews cables on eBay, if you find you don't like it, they are easy to re-sell.

 

[JasonM]

The Russ Andrews cables have been tested and shown to give improvements.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/what-difference-wire-makes

What you should do is trust and verify what I'm saying, buy them from eBay and if you don't like them, then re-sell them.

I have improved audio and video, I was open minded and glad I gave them a try, I wish I had known about these 10 years ago. When you automatically reject without even trying your not learning anything.

 

[JasonM]

ignore

 

[JasonM]

Interesting, the tacima you recommended improved audio quality. Will have to check this with the psu plugged into it as well to see if there's any difference.

Thanks for taking my advice, now you have better audio.

 

[JasonM]

Do you know if these cables will have benefits elsewhere? I'm tempted to buy a couple for my reef tank to see if they will make my fish live longer and improve my coral growth - possibly the reductions in EMI will prevent (or at least minimise) any distress caused by stray frequencies entering the water

Already been researched.

https://espis.boem.gov/final reports/5115.pdf

 

[JasonM]

Those Tacima line conditions do work.

Jay85 is reporting improvements on this forum after trying with it on an Edifier 2.1 system. There is also a high number of 5 star reviews on Amazon. I've also used on at a friends house where he was having mains issues to improve his HiFi.

This video also.

And here is someone using the Tacima and the Russ Andrews together (just like i'm doing). Of course he's getting negative comments from people who have never tried, but that's how these things go.

Also the chap in this video is talking about RA cables costing over £200 new. I'm talking about entry level RA cables from ebay for about £40 upwards (the one in my photo was £40). I mention this again before someone says I'm promoting spending hundreds of pounds on RA cables that I'm not. I'm saying you can try the RA cables without spending much money, if you don't like them then re-sell them again on eBay.

People posting about things they have never tried is a bit ridiculous, would you take advice on the stock market from someone who has never purchased shares.

 

[JasonM]

Have you done double blind testing ?

I've spend quite some time testing both the Tacima's and RA cables on various equipment.

I will double down again they also improved picture quality of my monitors.

Jay85 reporting improvement on his Edifier 2.1 from the Tacima.

Hundreds of 5 star reviews for the Tacima, 70,000 Russ Andrews power cables sold. See those two videos above, but otherwise search google for people posting about the RA cables on HiFi forums.

I also have a theory a computer will be more stable with these. Surely better quality AC and less EMI going into a computer can only help, the aviation industry go to great lengths to reduce EMI on aircraft.

There is a huge weight of evidence these things make improvements, saying they don't without even trying is ridiculous.

 

[JasonM]

So that's a no then.

Sorry but amazon review mean nothing. All of the above is subjective opinion. I'm not saying they don't I'm saying there is no evidence. 70,000 russ andrews cables sold ? Lul wut, even if that's true all it says is that he's/they're good at selling. Popularity is no measure of quality. as for the what hifi quote ("releases the stranglehold the mains supply can exert over electronics, releasing the attack and timing our reference equipment is cable of.") , seriously ? If that's the case why don't they have it in their 'reference' system' permanently if it so good ?

That video you linked above the guy says - oh normally I put a power conditioner in and then take it out, normally they mute the sounds, yada yada... but not this one! OK so whats the difference then? oh that's right no actual objective information. Maybe we should get Big Clive on the case . as you were

The Russ Andrews cables were independently tested by 3C Test Ltd and shown they reduce both RFI and EMI.

https://www.whathifi.com/news/russ-andrews-wins-asa-case-and-cleared-misleading-consumers

It's clear your belief system will not accept that better AC mains improve audio or visual quality. When you take that position without even trying it's your loss as your learning nothing.

 

[JasonM]

The question is whether the reduction in EMI and RF. IMPROVES THE AUDIO. That is not what was 'decided' in that case you quoted above.

If you care so much then at least buy the Tacima from Amazon, there £38 at the moment, Amazon give free returns. Same with the RA cables, some on eBay around £40, again try and resell if you don't like.

Then you can say I tried and they made no difference.

What your doing along with 95% of others in this thread, is writing the conclusion without actually doing the test.

This thread is similar to the Honda S2000 / Integra Type R / Civic Type R threads. Where someone posts about the handling on these cars, and the forum then turn on that person. Then say 10 years later people drive one of these cars for first time, and they realise they were totally wrong and the cars handled and drove brilliant after all.

 

[JasonM]

i might do that

I'm not concluding anything! Your prejudge of me is colouring your responses.

Ok understood, however looking at some of the replies from others you can forgive me for thinking this.

But yes, if you have reasonably good quality audio equipment then please try the Tacima. You should also try one of the Russ Andrews cables.

There is no benefit to myself for writing these posts, all I've ever done along with other cable threads is post the truth of the differences I'm finding. I'm even telling people to buy second hand entry level RA cables that give the best improvement for money.

If it was the other way around, say I tried these things and they never worked, then someone else was posting on the subject I would equally say they don't work.