Van den Hul: The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID (Halogen Free)

Click images for a larger version (32 kB/31 kB)

More images:
• European mainland version, standard (35 kB)
• European mainland version with 7 way outlet (34 kB)
• US version with gold plated mains plug (34 kB)
• US version with standard mains plug (33 kB)
• Inside the connectors... (27 kB)

— Awards —

Super AV 2001:

Outstanding Power Cord

What Hi-Fi 2004:

Best Mains Lead over £100

The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID
(Halogen Free)

Specifications | Related Articles & Papers

Description:

The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID is our new special quality heavy power cable.

The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID has been specially designed bearing uncompromised mains power distribution to high-end audio, video and professional equipment in mind and is able to deliver a virtually unlimited stream of low noise mains power.

The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID features:

A unique embedded powerline noise suppression filter.
A very high continuous current capacity and a maximum transparency with regards to instantaneously drawn current surges.
Strong shielding against in and outwards radiation of electromagnetic and radio frequency interference.
Heavy conductors and shield of the high quality also found in our loudspeaker cables.
Extreme ruggedness and therefore a very long lifespan.

An important feature of The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID are its carefully designed powerline noise suppression properties:

First of all The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID’s special Hybrid conductor structure and configuration have been designed to work as an embedded powerline filter.
This unique built-in filter effectively suppresses high frequency powerline noise (*1) without imposing any current delivery limitations: Unlike conventional powerline filters, The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID does not employ any filtering components in series with its AC current path; Series impedance (reactance) is absent and the cable therefore does not exhibit any current limiting, resonance or sluggish response to current demand effects. A true unlimited stream of clean mains power indeed!

*1: The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID’s special embedded filter structure suppresses both existing types of powerline contamination, i.e.: differential mode (across the lines) as well as common mode (simultaneous on both lines) noise components.

Secondly, the cable is equipped with a high quality shield. This heavy shield has two important functions:
1. It keeps powerline noise from radiating outwards onto your close by equipment and interconnects.
2. It keeps external electromagnetic and radio frequency interference from entering the AC line.

Third, the cable’s central yellow-green coloured ground lead features a broadband low impedance, which allows for perfect drainage of the connected equipment’s ground current noise and thus further helps to keep the noise floor down.

In transporting AC power as well as cleaning and protecting it from high frequency noise, The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID is a unique multifunctional product.
The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID can be looked upon as a gatekeeper, physically separating the noise contaminated mains from your equipment’s interconnect and power wiring without imposing any current delivery limitations.

Note: To ensure proper noise suppression behaviour, The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID is not sold in lengths below 1.5 meter.

The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID has been equipped with heavy gauge high purity dense silver coated high purity oxygen free stranded copper conductors (quite a mouth full).
The effective cross-section area of The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID’s blue Neutral and brown Lead/Hot current leads (*2) each is 1.69 mm² (~ AWG 15), yielding a very low 1.0 Ohm/100 m. series resistance.
The cable’s loop current series resistance is therefore a very low 0.02 Ohm per meter run.
The combined contact resistance of attached common mains and IEC plugs often is higher; Therefore the use of high quality plugs, outlets, power entries and further mains wiring is important.

The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID’s 1.69 mm² current leads (*2), as per international standard: IEC Publication 335-1, allow a continuous operating current in excess of 16 Amperes, which at 230 V AC mains is equivalent to a continuous power capacity of 3.7 kilowatt.

*2: The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID contains three blue Neutral and three brown Lead/Hot conductors which, when paralleled per three, each constitute a 1.69 mm² current lead.

With its gold coloured heavy HULLIFLEX ^® 4 jacket and heavy shield beneath, The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID is extremely rugged.
The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID’s high purity dense silver coated stranded shield and inner conductors, as well as its throughout applied HULLIFLEX ^® 4 polymer insulation material furthermore provide an optimal protection against chemical (corrosive) attack from the outside world and ensure a very long lifespan.

With all features on board for an uncompromised and long lasting performance, The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID is the ultimate choice for the critical audiophile and professional.

Specifications:

The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID
Cable Type:	Screened 7 core
Conductor Material:	HYBRID: High purity dense Silver coated high purity OFC + Linear Structured Carbon ^® saturated layer(s)
Design Purpose / Application Area(s):	Low noise AC power distribution cable for high-end audio, video and professional equipment use.
Approval / Certification:	Tested and certified according to DIN VDE 0282-10 (VDE 0282 Part 10):2000-07; HD 22.10 S1:1994 + A1:1999
Eff. Conductor Ø / Eq. AWG No. / Strands:	Cores: 0.56 mm² / AWG 19.6 / 7 Ground: 1.69 mm² / ~AWG 15 / 84 Screen: 7.92 mm² / ~AWG 8 / 252
External Diameter / -Dimensions:	15.0 mm.
Resistance (20 °C / 68 °F):	Cores: 3.0 Ohm/100 m. Three cores combined = Lead or Neutral: 1.0 Ohm/100 m. Ground: 1.0 Ohm/100 m. Screen: 0.22 Ohm/100 m.
Capacitance:	-
Characteristic Impedance:	-
Insulation / Dielectric Strength / Test Voltage:	Cores: HULLIFLEX ^® 4; Jacket: HULLIFLEX ^® 4 / 750 Vrms min. / 5 kV
Connector Types Suitable:	Mains side: Country specific grounded mains plugs with 15 mm. cable inlet. Equipment side: Our large IEC320/C15 type 15 amp IEC power connector or our european mainland outlet type, 7 socket distribution board; All mounted on ordered lengths.
Standard Sales Units / -Lengths:	With our large IEC320/C15 type 15 amp IEC power connector at the equipment side and a country specific grounded mains plug at the mains side: In 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0 m. standard lengths; Larger lengths: on customer specification. European mainland version with 7 socket distribution board, in 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0 m. standard lengths; Larger lengths: on customer specification. (For images of available versions please refer to the “more images” section on top of this page).
Jacket Colour(s) Available:	Gold tone
Remarks:	Note: For electric safety reasons this cable is not sold without connectors. We advise consumers against mounting connectors to this cable themselves; Mounting connectors to this cable needs expertise. Our The MAINSSTREAM BS HYBRID is a smaller diameter (12.5 mm) version of this cable. Our The MAINSSERVER HYBRID is a lower power (6 Ampere) version of this cable.

Related Articles & Papers:

“Van den Hul The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID”; Review extracts concerning our The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID AC power cable from the two successive articles which appeared in the March and April/May 2001 issue of Dutch Hi-Fi magazine MusicHome studio.

“Van den Hul MAINSSTREAM BS mains cable”; An interesting review of our The MAINSSTREAM BS HYBRID AC power cable from Hifi Choice, September 2003.
(Since the functioning of our larger diameter version AC power cable The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID doesn’t differ, this review in principle equally applies to The MAINSSTREAM HYBRID).

“Van den Hul cables, TAKING A LEAD...”; This review discusses van den Hul’s The MAINSSTREAM (BS) HYBRID and The MAINSSERVER HYBRID 16 and 6 Ampere AC power cables as well as its Fusion Technology interconnect The INTEGRATION HYBRID and Fusion Technology speaker cable The INSPIRATION HYBRID. A review from Hi-fi News, November 2005.

Our unique CARBON & HYBRID TECHNOLOGY: In this interesting “question and answer styled” article A.J. van den Hul discusses the vulnerable properties of metal audio cables in general and goes into great detail about his newly developed HYBRID and LINEAR STRUCTURED CARBON ^® audio cable technology. This article answers many important and often posed questions about van den Hul’s audio cable technology and philosophy.

Our CABLE FAQ: In this interesting and comprehensive “question and answer styled” document, A.J. van den Hul treats a wide field of frequently asked cable issues in high-end audio and video as well as many other related applications and subjects. A treasure of useful information for anyone dealing with cables in any hi-fi situation. Browsing through it will certainly give you new ideas and insights...

Our AWG to METRIC conversion chart converts American Wire Gauge numbers to metric diameter, cross-section area and resistance. Some rules of thumb helping you to learn AWG resistance and diameter by head are included.

Hi-fi News & Record Review’s A VAN DEN HUL PROFILE interview, though dating from 1990, provides excellent background information on van den Hul’s patented LINE-CONTACT PHONO STYLUS, its invention and philosophy. Furthermore, van den Hul’s AUDIO CABLE PHILOSOPHY is discussed in detail.

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