• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

Why is a audio power cable usually 125v 10amp when my headphone amp asks for 10amp 250v?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Space Lynx

Astronaut
Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
17,503 (4.67/day)
Location
Kepler-186f
Processor 7800X3D -25 all core
Motherboard B650 Steel Legend
Cooling Frost Commander 140
Video Card(s) Merc 310 7900 XT @3100 core -.75v
Display(s) Agon 27" QD-OLED Glossy 240hz 1440p
Case NZXT H710 (Red/Black)
Audio Device(s) Asgard 2, Modi 3, HD58X
Power Supply Corsair RM850x Gold
1677384036711.png


so as you can see here from my asgard 2 headphone amp, it shows 10a 250v, but every single power cable in my house is showing 10a 125v... so why is this a thing? I just ordered a 10a 250v power cable... going to try it soon... but any thoughts before I do, bad idea good idea?

edit: also why does it say 703w? i know for a fact my asgard 2 probably uses no more than like 30?
 
Last edited:
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
21,633 (3.40/day)
Location
Olympia, WA
System Name Pioneer
Processor Ryzen 9 9950X
Motherboard GIGABYTE Aorus Elite X670 AX
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 + A whole lotta Sunon, Phanteks and Corsair Maglev blower fans...
Memory 64GB (2x 32GB) G.Skill Flare X5 @ DDR5-6000 CL30
Video Card(s) XFX RX 7900 XTX Speedster Merc 310
Storage Intel 5800X Optane 800GB boot, +2x Crucial P5 Plus 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs
Display(s) 55" LG 55" B9 OLED 4K Display
Case Thermaltake Core X31
Audio Device(s) TOSLINK->Schiit Modi MB->Asgard 2 DAC Amp->AKG Pro K712 Headphones or HDMI->B9 OLED
Power Supply FSP Hydro Ti Pro 850W
Mouse Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless
Keyboard WASD Code v3 with Cherry Green keyswitches + PBT DS keycaps
Software Gentoo Linux x64 / Windows 11 Enterprise IoT 2024
That's the max tolerances for the connector, not the device. Do not run 250v into your Asgard 2, if it's made for 120V you will blow it up.

Granted, you probably don't even have a 250v outlet. That'd be weird, and these are just straight passing the AC, so you'd never have an issue either way.
 

Space Lynx

Astronaut
Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
17,503 (4.67/day)
Location
Kepler-186f
Processor 7800X3D -25 all core
Motherboard B650 Steel Legend
Cooling Frost Commander 140
Video Card(s) Merc 310 7900 XT @3100 core -.75v
Display(s) Agon 27" QD-OLED Glossy 240hz 1440p
Case NZXT H710 (Red/Black)
Audio Device(s) Asgard 2, Modi 3, HD58X
Power Supply Corsair RM850x Gold
That's the max tolerances for the connector, not the device. Do not run 250v into your Asgard 2, if it's made for 120V you will blow it up.

well the cable says 110-250v, and the outlet i will be using is standard outlet, so i don't think its possible to give it that much juice, i would have to use an actual like socket meant for a dryer/washer to get that many volts...

but you are right... i think i will refuse delivery when the cable comes.
 
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
21,633 (3.40/day)
Location
Olympia, WA
System Name Pioneer
Processor Ryzen 9 9950X
Motherboard GIGABYTE Aorus Elite X670 AX
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 + A whole lotta Sunon, Phanteks and Corsair Maglev blower fans...
Memory 64GB (2x 32GB) G.Skill Flare X5 @ DDR5-6000 CL30
Video Card(s) XFX RX 7900 XTX Speedster Merc 310
Storage Intel 5800X Optane 800GB boot, +2x Crucial P5 Plus 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs
Display(s) 55" LG 55" B9 OLED 4K Display
Case Thermaltake Core X31
Audio Device(s) TOSLINK->Schiit Modi MB->Asgard 2 DAC Amp->AKG Pro K712 Headphones or HDMI->B9 OLED
Power Supply FSP Hydro Ti Pro 850W
Mouse Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless
Keyboard WASD Code v3 with Cherry Green keyswitches + PBT DS keycaps
Software Gentoo Linux x64 / Windows 11 Enterprise IoT 2024
but you are right... i think i will refuse delivery when the cable comes.
Nah, if you like the look of the cord it's fine to use. You'd need a 240/250v outlet to hurt something. Just wanted to make sure you knew.
 

Space Lynx

Astronaut
Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
17,503 (4.67/day)
Location
Kepler-186f
Processor 7800X3D -25 all core
Motherboard B650 Steel Legend
Cooling Frost Commander 140
Video Card(s) Merc 310 7900 XT @3100 core -.75v
Display(s) Agon 27" QD-OLED Glossy 240hz 1440p
Case NZXT H710 (Red/Black)
Audio Device(s) Asgard 2, Modi 3, HD58X
Power Supply Corsair RM850x Gold
Nah, if you like the look of the cord it's fine to use. You'd need a 240/250v outlet to hurt something. Just wanted to make sure you knew.

yeah i will be using standard outlet nothing like that, I just find it strange why the asgard 2 even says this honestly. I think I will just use a regular 10a 125v power cable like I have in the past and return this other cable I got coming.

i find it confusing why they even make this cable though, because a 240/250 socket for like a washer/dryer is a different socket, this cable wouldn't even fit that socket... so I don't understand why they make regular 10am 250v cables for regular sockets... and also my asgard 2 says 10amp 250v... I just find it a bit confusing and bizarre.
 

AsRock

TPU addict
Joined
Jun 23, 2007
Messages
19,142 (2.98/day)
Location
UK\USA
Just watch out with some of the Chinese cables and they switch the pins some times.
 
Joined
Sep 23, 2022
Messages
1,293 (1.52/day)
yeah i will be using standard outlet nothing like that, I just find it strange why the asgard 2 even says this honestly. I think I will just use a regular 10a 125v power cable like I have in the past and return this other cable I got coming.

i find it confusing why they even make this cable though, because a 240/250 socket for like a washer/dryer is a different socket, this cable wouldn't even fit that socket... so I don't understand why they make regular 10am 250v cables for regular sockets... and also my asgard 2 says 10amp 250v... I just find it a bit confusing and bizarre.
It's because, as @R-T-B mentioned, it's just that generic black socket is rated for use up to 250v @ 10 Amps. It's the same socket that is in the 230v version sold by Schiit - it's also likely it's the same socket used in a computer power supply that does work with either voltage so it would make sense the socket itself would need to be multi voltage rated. A power cord would be supplied with the same connector at the Amp but with a plug that fits the Euro/UK/Australian outlet. (those are the choices that Schiit offers when you order a device from them. I have a whole bunch of Schiit. :)

*edit*
It's technically called a C14

c14.jpg
 
Last edited:
Joined
Dec 14, 2019
Messages
1,215 (0.65/day)
Location
Loose in space
System Name "The black one in the dining room" / "The Latest One"
Processor Intel Xeon E5 2699 V4 22c/44t / i7 14700K @5.8GHz
Motherboard Asus X99 Deluxe / ASRock Z790 Taichi
Cooling Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240 w/4 Silverstone FM121 fans / Arctic LF II 280 w Silverstone FHP141's
Memory 64GB G.Skill Ripjaws V DDR4 2400 (8x8) / 96GB G.Skill Trident Z5 DDR5 6800
Video Card(s) EVGA RTX 1080 Ti FTW3 / Asus Tuff OC 4090 24GB
Storage Samsung 970 Evo Plus, 1TB Samsung 860, 4 Western Digital 2TB / 2TB Solidigm P44 Pro & more.
Display(s) 43" Samsung 8000 series 4K / 65" Hisense U8N 4K
Case Modded Corsair Carbide 500R / Modded Corsair Graphite 780 T
Audio Device(s) Asus Xonar Essence STX/ Asus Xonar Essence STX II
Power Supply Corsair AX1200i / Seasonic Prime GX-1300
Mouse Logitech Performance MX, Microsoft Intellimouse Optical 3.0
Keyboard Logitech K750 Solar, Logitech K800
Software Win 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 IoT / Win 11 Enterprise IoT LTSC 24H2
Benchmark Scores https://www.passmark.com/baselines/V11/display.php?id=202122048229
Use whatever cable you desire. My EV ZLX12P self-powered PA speakers came with huge cables that were too short and inflexible so I went to some of the old flat cables and have never had any issues even doing outdoor shows. I love those flat cables, I'd use them on everything if I had enough of them.
 
Joined
Apr 18, 2019
Messages
2,437 (1.16/day)
Location
Olympia, WA
System Name Sleepy Painter
Processor AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Motherboard Asus TuF Gaming X570-PLUS/WIFI
Cooling FSP Windale 6 - Passive
Memory 2x16GB F4-3600C16-16GVKC @ 16-19-21-36-58-1T
Video Card(s) MSI RX580 8GB
Storage 2x Samsung PM963 960GB nVME RAID0, Crucial BX500 1TB SATA, WD Blue 3D 2TB SATA
Display(s) Microboard 32" Curved 1080P 144hz VA w/ Freesync
Case NZXT Gamma Classic Black
Audio Device(s) Asus Xonar D1
Power Supply Rosewill 1KW on 240V@60hz
Mouse Logitech MX518 Legend
Keyboard Red Dragon K552
Software Windows 10 Enterprise 2019 LTSC 1809 17763.1757
Keep in mind that finished-product devices are often made with many common or standardized parts.
This standard is called IEC 60320, and that 'inlet' is called a IEC 60320 C14. The power cable itself will be terminated with a IEC 60320 C13 connector.


The IEC standard cords ('Kettle Cords') are used internationally. This particular inlet is rated for applications up to the maximum voltage of 250VAC RMS. (90V-240VAC encompasses practically every application, anywhere.)

If you tear apart some '250VAC' IEC-IEC power cables, and some NEMA-IEC '125VAC' power cables, you'll find them effectively identical (on average). More than once I've made 'no-no adapters' to use NEMA-IEC 125VAC cables to power universal input devices on US 60hz 240VAC.

If you do some reading on the IEC plug/receptacle standards, and the 'controversy' between the 'US' 125V 'spec' and 'Worldwide' 250VAC 'spec', you'll see why I don't fret mixing standards. (WIkipedia: IEC 60320)
Basically, any IEC cable safe enough to use on 125VAC will also be safe to use @ (up to) 250VAC; it's all in the insulation and wire gauge on the ampacity. (note: Don't assume the same interchangeability in receptacles. Some IEC receptacles have basic power filtering, etc. Really, only a concern if you're kit-bashing or part-scavenging for other projects.)

Regardless, never exceed the input voltage listed on the Regulatory/Product Information Label. The inlet here, is a worldwide-generic part.
 
Joined
Oct 17, 2021
Messages
807 (0.68/day)
Location
People's Republic of Banania
Processor Threadripper 3955WX
Motherboard M12SWA-TF
Cooling Arctic Freezer 4U SP3
Memory G.Skill Trident Z DDR4-3733 (2x8GB)
Video Card(s) 5700XT + 3x RX 590
Storage A lot
Display(s) ViewSonic G225fB
Case Corsair 760T
Audio Device(s) Sound Blaster Z SE
Power Supply be quiet! DPP12 1500W
Keyboard IBM F122
Software 10 LTSC
Keeping things simple the american cable is better, since voltage is lower the wiring has to be thicker, if you get a cable for 230V mains then it'll be thinner and more flexible. It will still work tho.

I doubt the 703W is power related, could be a part number.
 
Joined
Dec 8, 2020
Messages
3,056 (2.03/day)
Location
United Kingdom
How many watts is too much with headphones with high voltage? What are high end headphones in power consumption, 6-10 w?
I don't think its 703w, that's some speakers for headphones and permanent deafness I would imagine.

Its more like a computer PSU, supporting 110v/230v on input, but a variaty of specs on output.
I also really doubt headphones could ever use 250v, or even 125v.

Even a USB wall charger will have to accept mains in (110v/230v), but then output USB specs in volts amps.
 

Space Lynx

Astronaut
Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
17,503 (4.67/day)
Location
Kepler-186f
Processor 7800X3D -25 all core
Motherboard B650 Steel Legend
Cooling Frost Commander 140
Video Card(s) Merc 310 7900 XT @3100 core -.75v
Display(s) Agon 27" QD-OLED Glossy 240hz 1440p
Case NZXT H710 (Red/Black)
Audio Device(s) Asgard 2, Modi 3, HD58X
Power Supply Corsair RM850x Gold
i already figured this out, basically it says that so that the user knows they can take it to europe and just buy a different cable and be fine

i was just a numpty.
 
Joined
Feb 22, 2022
Messages
631 (0.59/day)
Processor AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Motherboard Asus Crosshair VIII Dark Hero
Cooling Custom Watercooling
Memory G.Skill Trident Z Royal 2x16GB
Video Card(s) MSi RTX 3080ti Suprim X
Storage 2TB Corsair MP600 PRO Hydro X
Display(s) Samsung G7 27" x2
Audio Device(s) Sound Blaster ZxR
Power Supply Be Quiet! Dark Power Pro 12 1500W
Mouse Logitech G903
Keyboard Steelseries Apex Pro
Keeping things simple the american cable is better, since voltage is lower the wiring has to be thicker, if you get a cable for 230V mains then it'll be thinner and more flexible. It will still work tho.
First of all: thicker != better. What conductive material is used, is it a solid core or multi core? What kind of insulation and shielding is used? These all impact both flexibility and max amperage for a given thickness.

Lower voltage require thicker cables to achieve the same wattage. A 10A part is 10A regardless of voltage. But if you want to achieve the 2500W max rating of a 10A 250V cable using 125V, you need to use 20A parts.

i already figured this out, basically it says that so that the user knows they can take it to europe and just buy a different cable and be fine

i was just a numpty.
No. It does absolutely not mean that. The rating on the socket is ONLY the maximum tolerance for that physical part (so, not your amp), you have to look at the power supply specification on your product to see what it can actually receive without blowing up/a fuse. It is possible that your amp only have a 115V compatible power supply for example. And no matter what input voltage it accepts, I gurantee that it will not consume the 2500W that socket is rated for.
 

Space Lynx

Astronaut
Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
17,503 (4.67/day)
Location
Kepler-186f
Processor 7800X3D -25 all core
Motherboard B650 Steel Legend
Cooling Frost Commander 140
Video Card(s) Merc 310 7900 XT @3100 core -.75v
Display(s) Agon 27" QD-OLED Glossy 240hz 1440p
Case NZXT H710 (Red/Black)
Audio Device(s) Asgard 2, Modi 3, HD58X
Power Supply Corsair RM850x Gold
First of all: thicker != better. What conductive material is used, is it a solid core or multi core? What kind of insulation and shielding is used? These all impact both flexibility and max amperage for a given thickness.

Lower voltage require thicker cables to achieve the same wattage. A 10A part is 10A regardless of voltage. But if you want to achieve the 2500W max rating of a 10A 250V cable using 125V, you need to use 20A parts.


No. It does absolutely not mean that. The rating on the socket is ONLY the maximum tolerance for that physical part (so, not your amp), you have to look at the power supply specification on your product to see what it can actually receive without blowing up/a fuse. It is possible that your amp only have a 115V compatible power supply for example. And no matter what input voltage it accepts, I gurantee that it will not consume the 2500W that socket is rated for.

the power supply is inside the amp, no way for me to know. doesn't matter i am not going to europe with it anyway. its staying right here and its working fine with the 125v 10amp cable. listening to it now and for a few days now and all is well.

thread closed really.
 

Kursah

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 15, 2006
Messages
14,732 (2.21/day)
Location
Missoula, MT, USA
System Name Kursah's Gaming Rig 2018 (2022 Upgrade) - Ryzen+ Edition | Gaming Laptop (Lenovo Legion 5i Pro 2022)
Processor R7 5800X @ Stock | i7 12700H @ Stock
Motherboard Asus ROG Strix X370-F Gaming BIOS 6203| Legion 5i Pro NM-E231
Cooling Noctua NH-U14S Push-Pull + NT-H1 | Stock Cooling
Memory TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z 32GB (2x16) DDR4 4000 @ 3600 18-20-20-42 1.35v | 32GB DDR5 4800 (2x16)
Video Card(s) Palit GeForce RTX 4070 JetStream 12GB | CPU-based Intel Iris XE + RTX 3070 8GB 150W
Storage 4TB SP UD90 NVME, 960GB SATA SSD, 2TB HDD | 1TB Samsung OEM NVME SSD + 4TB Crucial P3 Plus NVME SSD
Display(s) Acer 28" 4K VG280K x2 | 16" 2560x1600 built-in
Case Corsair 600C - Stock Fans on Low | Stock Metal/Plastic
Audio Device(s) Aune T1 mk1 > AKG K553 Pro + JVC HA-RX 700 (Equalizer APO + PeaceUI) | Bluetooth Earbuds (BX29)
Power Supply EVGA 750G2 Modular + APC Back-UPS Pro 1500 | 300W OEM (heavy use) or Lenovo Legion C135W GAN (light)
Mouse Logitech G502 | Logitech M330
Keyboard HyperX Alloy Core RGB | Built in Keyboard (Lenovo laptop KB FTW)
Software Windows 11 Pro x64 | Windows 11 Home x64
Closed per OP request.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top