Upgraded power cords or high end conditioner next?


Hi everyone,

I need advice on what will give me the biggest improvement for my next upgrade - power cords or a high end power conditioner?

My current living situation is a rental apartment, so unfortunately I cannot do anything like having a dedicated line for my system.

I already have upgraded power cords for my Manley Shrimp preamp and my CDP, but my Manley monoblocks (retubed with NOS :)) are just using the stock cables for now. The Shrimp and the CDP are plugged into a PS Audio High Current Ultimate Outlet and the monoblocks are plugged strait into the wall.

So I was thinking my next upgrade is either upgraded power cords for the monoblocks or an upgraded conditioner (passive - like a Shunyata Hyrda or a Running Springs unit that I could plug my CDP, pre and monoblocks into). Which one will give me the bigger improvement? My budget for the power cords would be maybe $500 each (used - so say $750 each new). What cords would you recommend in that price range? Also, the cords on my CDP and pre are both Lat International MK2 (budget PCs). Should I put my best PCs on the source/pre or the amps?

Thanks,

Ed
latinsamba1

Showing 2 responses by maich

Anyone who rents AND has an unused 220v line for a laundry room or other application, CAN have dedicated lines. Your other upgrades won't even come close. Look into "power conditioner" step-down transformers from ONEAC or POWERVAR.

Plug one into a 220v line, get two dedicated lines (four outlets) at 120v. With the right models, these are fully capable of providing enough current to fry your ears, speakers and/or amps, if you wanted to see what their limits are, but your laundry circuit and ONEAC or POWERVAR will be just fine.

Nothing comes close to this upgrade, AND (buying one used) will not cost the ridiculous sum you propose for a power cord, where any percieved difference will almost certainly be the result of hopeful delusion that the money was not wasted.
Yes, slight hum and heat. If necessary, account for that, but this upgrade will give your sound such solidity and physical presence, the conditioner will never be heard, especially in the right locale. I could have opted to keep mine outside in the laundry room area, but actually chose to have two of them operational right under my equipment rack. I can hear them both if I pay attention before turning anything else on -- just makes me smile knowing how they REVOLUTIONIZED my sound!