SR "Entry Level" Black UEF power cords


I thought it necessary to start a new thread in regard to these utterly amazing, yet affordable PC’s. While there is a thread started by Oregon papa, it is more centered on the more seriously expensive atmosphere cables. I thought it prudent that these inexpensive cables get their own spotlight, as not all of us are as well heeled as others, and while I am sure the atmosphere cables must be awe inspiring, they are prohibitively out of reach for many of us. Therefore, I applaud Synergistic for "remembering the little guy" and creating an offering that allows us to taste some of that magic without the threat of divorce.

I’ve managed to build a very good system, to my ears, over the years. Much of it second hand, and when it came time for any type of peripheral, it was examined with a strong glass. I had settled on my first quality interconnect, Morrow MA-5 XLR. They are excellent ic’s and gave me a true taste of what a well designed cable could do for my musical enjoyment. I was hooked on the improvement and began a mission to squeeze every last ounce of music out of my system-Fuses, feet, mats....voodoo.

Fast forward to about 2 years ago. I ordered some red fuses for my gear. My buddy and life long friend who has been on this audio journey with me from the start agreed with me that they gave the system a well received shot in the arm. All much improved.

Recently, my ARC power amp had been sent in for service due to an issue and unfortunately was not salvageable. Therefore a huge enexpected purhase was made in order to get the system back up and running...Still licking my wounds from that.

With a new ARC amplifier in place, but with a different fuse value from the last one, I needed a replacement. I learned that the new Black fuse was now king of the hill. So, a Black fuse was installed into my power amp. Even though this was admittantly a new, and different model amp, the upgrade from the stock fuse to black fuse, was more than what I recalled the red being able to accomplish. This became a slipperly slope, but one I have enjoyed navigating. Soon after the black fuses, SR released the black UEF Cables.

I had been contemplating new power cords for some time, and logically had been considering the Morrow cables considering my satisfaction with the IC’s. I had also considered the shunyata venom and Pangea cables as well. However, after seeing what the SR UEF Black fuse had done for my system, and given the fact that SR was running an introductory special offer, not to mention a risk free trial, resistance was futile.

Ultimately my system now has all SR BLACK power components and I am just thrilled with the outcome. There is something to be said about these very special cables. I’ve tried to cheat by building my own Belden recipes, utilizing furutech ends etc. and was never able to accomplish a cable like this, even with premium parts, ultimately bringing costs close to what these cables asking price are.

Improvements are not subtle and these power products equate to a sum greater than their parts. Noise floor, clarity, tonality, soundstage size and focus are all improved. But not to the extent one would expect from a simple cable swap. There is something "else" going on here. Something that many people don’t care to understand, myself included, but embrace nevertheless because life is too short to worry about demanding mathematical proof of cable effects. I would rather be swimming in music. Many people will scoff at even the price of these lower cost offerings. This is unfortunate, let them be happy with what they have, and wish them the best.

These cables range from 300-500 dollars folks. A far cry from the higher cost offerings, but raise the performance of your system supremely and represent a fantastic value given their achievement. I have no doubt SR’s atmosphere line is better, but some of us cannot, or simply will not spend that kind of money. God bless those who can. That’s why these cables are so amazing. For those of you who have looked over SR because you thought there offerings were out of your price range, you now have shot at sonic bliss on a budget. I recommend these cables without hesitation.

Think of these cables as sneaking in the back door after greasing the bouncer. Sure you can’t sit front row, but at least you get to be in the house to see the performance.

audiolover718
audiolover718, happy to see your hobby getting a spurt of joy, upgrading cables can be addictive.

Anyone comp'd against the SR Atmosphere UEF Level 1 or 2? 
and +1 re A/B the SR Black vs.  Cerious Audio Graphene Extreme
An update at the 300 hour mark.  

I have been away for about week.  The power amp power cable was been cooking on the amp while away, as my amp stays on 24/7.  Came home and listened to the system.

The cable is really settling nicely.  At first listen however, I thought it sounded a little dull, and was worried.  Upon further listening I realized, that it wasn't dull at all. but finally the sound of real Instruments.  The high frequency hash that afflicts so many systems, the hash that many of us accidentally think is detail, is gone.  Now that that's gone, the REAL detail, is improved, and there, but not overblown, only on the edges where it belongs. It's a much more sophisticated presentation. 

The showstopper difference after 300 hours, is the incredibly palpable and holographic image. The cable has also fleshed out considerably!!! I would have to agree with oregonpapa, as these cables just keep improving and improving, the sky seemingly being the limit.  I continually have better listening sessions each time.  

Now honestly, the power amp cable in my case made the biggest improvement, and I'm so glad I got it...  It's been the real game changer. Just goes to show you that you can upgrade so many other cables in the system, but are still bottlenecked at the end of the chain if you don't respect the power amp.   Know we say, start at the source, but make no mistake, the power amp needs love too.  The stock cable had a noticable glare by comparison. 

The systems sound is really explosive and engaging. Having ARC  and Maggie's are a great synergy, and  the SR  power cables are right at home with these components, and the all flatter each other.  I'd bet they are right at home with other equipment too, but I have no personal experience other than my own setup.  I've been in this hobby for over 20 years, and I've never had such a spurt of improvement as I have over the last couple months with these SR products.  I realize now, that my system, while good has been sophmoric.....until now. 
^^^ audiolover ... 

" At first listen however, I thought it sounded a little dull, and was worried.  Upon further listening I realized, that it wasn't dull at all. but finally the sound of real Instruments."

You've really nailed it with your assessment on the calming down effect as the power cords break in. The SR Black fuses do the same. I compare the improvements as being between the last vestiges the of HiFi sound left in the system and live music.

Whenever I listen to unamplified live music, either full symphonic or small jazz groups, I'm always struck by how relaxed the presentation is compared to most stereo systems I've heard in the past, including my own. Yes, live music can sound, as you said, "explosive and engaging," but it never seems to have that "cringe factor" distortion that resides in the vast majority of audio systems ... regardless of price. Massed strings, solo trumpets at full song and peaks in vocals are a prime examples. 

I've described the effect of the SR power cords and SR fuses before as bringing the system to a new level of  purity with lack of grain. But in  reality, these products bring an audio system closer to the sound of real music ... more relaxed like a live presentation, and way more enjoyable t listen to.  

The human voice is the instrument we are most familiar with as we listen to it during most of our waking hours. Vocals are so strikingly real in my system now that it really makes one sit up and take  notice.

I have a lot of well recorded vocals in my collection, including jazz singers on mono recordings. Oh my God ... Dinah Washington, June Christy, Julie London, Chris Connor and Jo Stafford are in the room in 3-D relief suspended right between the speakers with such realism they have me and my audiophile guests saying ... "who needs stereo?"  

In my opinion the mark of a great audio system is when you and your friends no longer say that "your audio system sounds great," and instead begin saying ... "Wow! Those guys sound great."  :-)

Happy listening ... 
Hi Frank,
Your description of the sound of unamplified  acoustic instruments is on the mark. When I visited the recent Axpona show in Chicago it again reminds me that many High End systems /components aspire to a unrealistic over/hyper detailed presentation.  The rooms that sounded the best consistently had that overall relaxed and organic character. Detail and nuance are