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Impressed by Pangea Audio AC-9SE

I have been using Lamm monoblocks with Kimber PK10 Palladian for years. The PK10 Palladian are great sounding power cable and can stand the test of time.

Lately I ran across some threads about the Pangea Audio AC-9 and AC-9SE power cables. Lots of folks raved about these cables here in Audiogon. The SE sells for $200/2m each at Audio Advisor with 30-day trial. I thought I got nothing to loose and want to find out what all the hypes about these cables. I ordered the SE version.

I was totally surprised that the AC-9SE sounded very close to the Kimber. The main difference is that the AC-9SE sounded a bit thicker and a tiny bit more punch in the bass than the KImber. The PK-10 Palladian was just a tad more air on top. The $200 AC-9SE competes toe-to-toe witht the $1000 Kimber. Amazing. In fact, the thicker sounding AC-9SE matches a bit better than the Kimber in my upgraded system. Talking about synergy here.

I recommend folks who have modest or even megabuck system should try out the AC-9SE. Don't let the low price fool you. You may be surprised.

Happy listening.
audiolui

Showing 7 responses by runnin

runnin
397 posts
 
I'm waiting to receiver a Pangea 14SE MkII, I'm curious as to whether there will be any differences. A few years ago I made a diy cable but it didn't really do anything for me.
runnin
397 posts
 
Sure, at this point I've had it on the Oppo 95 for a day. Owners say to let it break in somewhat so I'm going to give it a week or more, right off the bat I couldn't really hear any improvements.
runnin
397 posts
 
About 9 hours on the PC now, and from what I've read you need a good 20 hours. At this point I'm hearing a very subtle improvement over the stock Oppo cord. I also took some gold plated brass banana plugs out of the signal path am am using bare speaker wire, Audioquest Type 4. That and deOxit all connections has given me more top end than I had.

Another thing is my system seems faster now, am I crazy? The start of one song called He Won't go(Adele, 21. - forgive me!) starts off with a drum lead in, and the bass drum has always seemed a bit slow, like the drummer couldn't quite hit the foot pedal on time for the rapid beat. Except now it seems better though not perfect yet. Anyone else notice this?
runnin
397 posts
 
Sure, I was comparing the stock cable that came with the oppo 95 and the stock cable that came with the Parasound Halo P7.
runnin
397 posts
 
I'm still hearing no difference after about 12-13 hours, I tried it on my preamp too. I'm beginning to lose hope, but nothing ventured, nothing gained in this case maybe.

One thing, I keep reading from the science crowd how you can't trust your ears, and purchase bias, and sight bias, and whatever other bias will cause to to have the outcome you want. I call BS in my case. I really wanted to hear a difference and thought I was going to. But I simply listened, and compared and have found nothing.

Previously I have been floored by the difference in sound when I swapped in new speaker cables, but in this case, nada. I'll keep going to the 20 hour mark, and report back then. Out.
runnin
397 posts
 
Hmm. Well, I'd need to buy 2 more at 60 or so a pop. I'd be willing to do that, but first I'd like to run dedicated lines to the stereo, and that's not cheap. I found out my treadmill is on the same circuit as the stereo.
runnin
397 posts
 
You know what? In my case, the panel is on the same wall as my system and wall outlets, and about 15 feet away. But alas, there is no room in the panel for another breaker. I'd have to buy a larger panel with more breaker spaces. a lot of work and a lot of wall board, paint, etc. Still I'd do it if I had the time, the things we do for love of audio!
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