Looking for a power cable upgrade


I got an itch to upgrade. The sound I'm getting now is great I like it but like most of us I'm want to look at the other side of the mountain for some thing better. This is what I'm using right now:
http://www.vhaudio.com/acrolink-7n-p4030.html
Im looking at spending around 500.00 per cord either used or new, and also would try a diy solution. If anyone as used my current cables and has moved to something else please comment. Or if you have found something fantastic please comment as well. Any input would be great. 
manwich620

Showing 2 responses by akg_ca

Be careful in your upgrade trek -- expecting immediate improvements are not guaranteed because they are very system dependent. Changing power cables are just like ICs and speaker cables ... Each has a sonic signature that varies from system to system.

Real- life example in my system: the REGA COUPLE power cord is an OEM provided power cable that is a standard recommendation with the REGA ISIS valve cdp and the REGA OSIRIS integrated amp. That powe cable as a standslone is a very good build quality designed by REGA at around the $200-$250 range.

So my buddies and did a shootout with numerous alternatives ranging from $150 to north of $1200. 

My "A" system  above: the REGA bested all comers with THAT system including a $1200 Furutech, and against expensive offerings from CARDAS , high-end  FURUTECH, CHORD, ATLAS, LFD, LFD hybrid (LFD cable with the vert top FURUTECH connectors), ECOSSE, PS AUDIO, SHUNYATA and a bevy of others . A few were even a large step down compared to the the rest , and the sensitivities of the power cord were more acute in the cdp as the source.

IN CONTRAST, in my more modest "B" system, the LFD hybrid reigned supreme ... even over the REGA.

Your takeaway : system synergy matters big-time and upgrades to power cables (any cables....) in seeking audio performance improvements are very system dependent, full stop.

I would NOT use any ad hoc testimonials posted in this blog as anything more as a name for filtering out to actually audition in YOUR system first. Changes are no guarantee to be upgrades ... They can also be a sideways move or even noticeable step back.



my final chirp....

(1) putting in dedicated power lines with armoured cable was a quantum leap upgrade in performance when compared to the effects of the power cable itself. Power cables by themselves without doing this may be an improvement but only a comparative  small one at best. Complete the cradle-to-grave power upgrade  with an upgrade starting at the panel first.

(2) contemporaneous with the dedicated lines (a separate one for the amp and another separate line for the source) I also upgraded the wall plugs to --

(1) first, to Hospital grade plugs, --and then--
(2) further upgrade later to expensive audiophile grade wall plugs.

The latter are gold plated high grade pure copper with no nickel, brass or ? Components ( gold plated is oxidation resistant but pure copper is VERY soft .. So be careful and don't bend them cuz it's very easy to torque them and thus do so...)

The latter new plugs are a further incremental "last step " upgrade  to the hospital grade wall plugs, but only on my "A" system would I say they are worth  the added not insignificant cash outlay.

(3) Power conditioners -- a potential BIG limiting effect and crappy resolution limiting clouding veil.

Sure ... In some circumstances they may prove fruitful if you live in an area with wild power swings or crummy old wiring blah blah  etc.

HOWEVER... a dealer twigged me in to the tip that many high-end gear with their robust power supllies do NOT need NOR WANT any intermediate PC insertion ... The latter can actually be just a messy added limiting filter that creates a step-down in resolution.

He personally demonstrated it to me in my own system in MY home .... Damned if he wasn't right to the step-down of a PC in MY system. The performance downgrade with the PC in was not subtle. 

YOUR TAKEAWAY.  : be careful... It's no "one size fits all " here either ...

Again ...a PC is  VERY system dependent in the first place, and maybe even an entirely avoidable step-down in a high-end system with its inherent robust high-end  power supplies.