Overwhelmed and under experienced...


This post is in regards to power cables. Hoping for a bit of insight.
I’m relatively new to "better" audio. 18 to 24 months at best.
My system consist of Oppo 203. A Marantz 7012 with Voodoo Vision Digital. A Monolith 5X200 RMS amplifier (unit power cable is in question for) with factory cable. Tekton Design Impact towers for front channels and PSB towers for rear channels. SVS subwoofer with a Voodoo Powerwave power cable.
I run Morrow Audio MA2 interconnects and SP6 speaker cables.
With the exception of the Monolith being plugged straight in to a Cruzefirst receptacle in the wall everything else is run thru a Shunyata PS8 connected to the wall using a Shunyata Venom HC power cable.
My system is used roughly 50/50 for music and home theatre. Music is 95% steamed from Tidal using a Supra Cat8 ethernet from router to the Marantz.
I am currently looking to replace the Shunyata Venom HC I had been using for the Monolith amplifier that was moved to the Shunyata PS8.
Lately I have come across an overwhelming amount of interesting options. Everything from an individual named Marcus Tunis on US Audiomart selling Black Shadow cables (4 runs of mil-spec silver over copper with Acrolink poly rhodium plated terminations) at $300 for 3 ft. to a Lessloss DFPC original at $275 directly from Lessloss. A customer return he stated. Also on the short list is a Shunyata Delta NR at $625 new from Thecableco (my customer discount price).
There have been many others that I have read about. To many to mention.
Question is, how does one choose? I know AWG size isn’t everything. Geometry matters as well. Would I really notice that much of a benefit from the extra money spent for the Shunyata Delta NRs noise reduction? 
I’m overwhelmed!



bgpoppab

Showing 3 responses by itsjustme

While I will allow that some people hear differences among power cables, I very strongly believe that the cost of high-end cables can always be better spent elsewhere. For example: better speakers, jitter reduction, an improved linear power supply for almost anything, etc.  The downside is that a few of these are as simple a modular change, as is a power cord. But the easy road is not always the best road.
In the realm of power I strongly believe in two things:  1) cleaning up power noise (vagarious options my fav being a great isolation transformer), and 2) ground which begins by digging a deep hole.  Unfortunately both of those suffer from the same problem they require real engineering and real effort.  But they also produce real results.
When most audiophiles hear my system and later realize there is 14 gauge lamp cord and fuses in it, they are shocked. I don;t endorsed that, but when (like me) you design and *by definition* have stuff that might blow up in and out daily, it's a wise choice, and it doesn't seem to keep me from generating some shockingly good sound.

G
Missingtime makes another good suggestion. Get a dedicated 20A circuit, and put in at least upgraded outlets, if not "hospital grade" - available at the home despot. Then get a GOOD outlet strip and run everything to that one point, eliminating ground loops.
G
@bgpoppab

Sorry for the delay, have been traveling for ~2 weeks.
I simply mean something the guy at your local electrical supply house would call quality - thick copper, tight connectors to grab the prongs, etc. Nothing fancy.
So i looked up what a Shunyata PS8 is. After reading their description, i still don’t know, except that it is $795 and "extraordinarily affordable", which i admit is impressive to be both at once :-)
I expect it is a fine outlet strip. I hope its a lot more, but they didn’t say ont he website....
I meant more like $50 rather than $9.99 made in china at the dollar store.
Anything with a common mode filter, well done, would be useful. I expect the PS8 has one and in fatc likely more or less **is** one in a fancy box.

G