Audioquest Dragon Powercord vs Hurricane


I don't want to get into a debate about if powercords and/or cables sound different or not. I just want to talk about the differences between the Audioquest Dragon and Audioquest Hurricane powercords in my system, based on my ears and preferences. My system consists of a Jeff Rowland 625 S2 amplifier, Jeff Rowland Corus preamp, Chord Dave DAC, Antipodes DS GT music server, Monitor Audio PL500 ii speakers, JL Audio F112 v2,  Clarus Crimson speaker cables, Wireworld Platinum series 8 XLRs, and all Audioquest Hurricane power cords.
I have two Dragon powercords for a home audition. I put one on my DAC and the other on my preamp. My initial thought is the Dragon added a lot of detail. I usually listen with the volume set at 60, but had to reduce it to 58 with the Dragon inserted. After letting the music play for awhile, I did some critical listening for 90 minutes or so. I'm pretty certain that I will keep all Hurricanes and not purchase any Dragon powercords. It isn't because I think the Hurricane is better. I submit they are different and I always say cables are system dependent. In my system the Hurricane is a more balanced cable, where the Dragon is forward to my ears and it's a cable that really highlights details in a way that I don't like. E.g. when I listened to a blues track by KEB MO, with the Dragons the guitar was very forward and dominate, his voice was out of balance and the bass wasn't as full. Returning to the Hurricanes provided excellent balance with detail and fuller bass. Things may change over the next couple of days, but I don't usually change from my initial thoughts. There are no absolutes in audio and careful component matching is more important than how much a component cost.  
ricred1

Showing 16 responses by ricred1

Jafant,

"You run an interesting combination of Audioquest, Clarus and WireWorld, cabling."

I've had the pleasure of auditioning every cable in my system. Cables from Wireworld,  Audience. Shunyata, Transparent, Audioquest, High Fidelity,  and a couple more. I tried several different speaker cables,  powercords,  and XLR cables. I simply choose what sounds best to my ears. 
millercarbon,

"Why so many embrace such an obviously flawed approach is beyond me."
I'm not going to argue with you. This won't be that kind of thread. You assemble your system whatever way you prefer and I'll do the same. Nothing becomes out of balance if you have the opportunity to compare components in your own system prior to purchase.
I've heard this said before, "sometimes you need to let your ears adjust to what you're hearing, before you begin evaluating." The Dragons sound different from any powercord I've ever had. I need to adjust how I listen to capture the true essence of this powercord.
Elizabeth and Folkfreak very good points. They are demo pairs and the dealer told me they are completely broken in. I’ll keep them for several more days to do additional listening. I really just want to reiterate that I’m not saying the Hurricanes are better, but due to the rest of my system and preferences I may end up preferring the Hurricanes. All I can do is post what I hear.

Folkfreak,
"The Hurricanes are more laid back and have a nice warm bass sound. In my system on big tube amps and Magico M3s the Dragons work extremely well so as the OP suggests systems matching is, as always, key.
System matching is really the point of my post. 
Viber6,

What's clarity and detail? Do you think it's an absolute or is it subjective? Your clarity and detail can easily be my sterile and bright. Whose right?
ron17,
I don't know why I expected it to be different. 

Viber6,

"we must strive for the goal of high fidelity, not just striving for a full or warm sound just because you like it."
You are not the authority on audio and can't tell anyone what they must do."

Starting now I'm going to ignore your post. You repeat the same thing over and over again. Most, if not all of what you say is based on "your theory" and not much listening. 
ron17,

I think Audiogon is great when we talk about our experiences without dictating to other what they must agree with regarding preferences. I find it fascinating that cables can has such an impact on the tonality of a system. I agree that price doesn't guarantee anything. 
Viber6,
So, I'm man enough to apologize. You're correct I did ask the question, so sorry. 

Here's my definition of high fidelity-the reproduction of sound with little distortion, giving a result very similar to the original.
Because we don't know what the original sounds like and the equipment they use on most recordings, if not all recordings adds distortion, it's my opinion that "high fidelity" in a home setting is not possible. For arguments sake, lets say high fidelity is possible. Will everyone prefer that type of sound? Home audio for most is about building a system to enjoy...for some that's clarity with detail and for others it's a warm sound. That's why they make so many different speakers, amplifiers, etc. 
viber6,
I can only speak for myself about what I want out of my system. In my current system every recording sounds different. Some recordings sound flat, some bright, some very open and detailed. I listen to mostly contemporary Jazz(Paul Brown, Boney James, Larry Carlton, Kirk Whalum). I've had speakers that some consider detailed/clean and I couldn't listen to them for long periods of time. Now I have a system that provides detail and allows me to listen without getting a headache.   
ozzy,

Yes, the Dragon is expensive. That's why I wanted to try it in my system prior to purchase. I think it's an outstanding power cord, but I prefer the Hurricane in my system.
larry5729,

The good news is you don’t have to rely on what I say. Please get a Audioquest Thunder powercord(the least expensive in their new series) on loan and come to your own conclusions.

"However, how much better?" I say read my post, because I never said anything was better. This is what I posted: I’m pretty certain that I will keep all Hurricanes and not purchase any Dragon powercords. It isn’t because I think the Hurricane is better. I submit they are different and I always say cables are system dependent.

We make this hobby to difficult. It’s pretty simple...if you hear a component(including cables) and you don’t think it makes a discernible difference for the better, don’t purchase it. If someone wants to spend a million dollars on something they feel improves their listening pleasure, why should anyone care.
I read the audiobacon powercord reviews and to a certain extent I agree with his opinions about the Hurricane... tonally dense, liquid, heavy, sweet, analog. I can even agree that compared to some powercords it lacks ultimate detail. In my system I don't hear the negative affects on the soundstage and stereo image. I think powercords and cables are so system dependent that a home audition is still the best way to determine what sounds best in a particular system.
I should have added that I tried High Fidelity powercords in my system and they didn't sound anything like what’s described in the Audio Bacon review. I had them for over a month and finally returned them. Again, cables must be auditioned in your own system.
myself, 

I had WW Platinum Electra series 7 and compared it to Audioquest Thunder. In my system the Thunder was a cleaner sounding PC that enabled more detail. Not night and day difference,  but easily discernible in my system. The aforementioned experience prompted me to sell my WW Platinum Electra and I purchased AQ Hurricanes. I suggest a home audition,  because cables are system dependent.

Just to follow-up with my original thread.
I sold all of my Hurricane cables for two main reasons:

1) they are super stiff
2) after hearing Audioquest Dragons in my system, I kept thinking about the clarity of the Dragons compared to the Hurricanes. I'm not talking a night and day difference, but it's easily heard. The Dragon's sound lean compared to the Hurricane's and I truly thought the Hurricane’s had a fuller sound, but I think in hindsight instead of the Hurricane's being more balanced, I actually submit the Dragon's are a more balanced cable. So, why not just go for the Dragon’s? Stiffness and price! I actually set limits on what I’m willing to spend, unless something is significantly better than another component. In the case of the Dragon’s versus Hurricane’s, although the Dragon’s are “better” to my ears, not significantly enough to justify the price difference. Especially when I require five power cords.

My new power cords are Clarity Cables Vortex. 


Bob,
"I really think AQ makes fine products, but at least make them malleable enough to use in the real world."
I agree. It's Audio and sometimes we change cables and/or components. I found something (Clarity Cables Vortex powercords) that I think are very good and affordable. I simply wanted to share my finding with fellow Audiogon members.