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Various power cables, which would you put where?

I have 4 power cables and 3 components (Exposure 2010S2D amp, Lehmann BCL headphone amp, PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC)

They were acquired over time so not much planning around it.
I know, I should experiment myself and hear what sounds best. I am experimenting, but in addition would like to hear feedback from people that used the same cables.

Cables are
1. DIY DH Labs Power Plus + Marinco plugs
2. DIY Furutech FP-314AG + Marinco plugs (open to upgrading to Furutech FI-15)
3. Furutech G320Ag-18
4. WireWorld Aurora

Which have you used where? (The 4th cable will be connected to my Desktop PC that connects to the DAC)

Thanks!
itsikhefez
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

For now, keep the Marinco connectors on the cables.

DH Labs Power Plus => use on Exposure 2010S2D amp because this is the largest cable (11awg) and you want the most amount of current available for the amp.

WireWorld Aurora => use on the PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC. This is your best quality cable because it’s silver-clad instead of silver-plated and it’s a larger awg than the Furutech cables. You want the best quality cable on your source. Essentially, if the sound quality is not there from the source (beginning), there is no magic you can use to get it back.

Furutech G320Ag-18 => use on the headphone amp because the connectors on this cable are gold-plated pure copper (FI-15ME) and are better than the Marinco (brass).

Furutech FP-314AG + Marinco => use on the PC. The brass Marinco plugs work effectively on a PC.

Once you have all this in place, listen to some music through external speakers on the amp. The Marinco brass power connectors have a lot of attack and clarity, but can have a tendancy to sound harsh/sterile/solid-state. If you like the attack/clarity/punch, but want to back off on the harsh/sterile character and provide a more refined sound, then upgrade the DH Labs cable with Rhodium plated FI-15 Plus. If the attack/clarity is way too much and is too forward and "in your face", then go for Gold plated FI-15 Plus connectors. The gold-plated will sound warmer and it will definitely be more laid back.  Make sure you get the FI-15 "Plus" connectors (not the old FI-15e).

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,412 posts
 
itsikhefez and auxinput---It seems logical to upgrade the duplex wall outlets before the power cords themselves, so may I ask if you did that already, and if so what you have found to be worth their price? Thanks---Eric. 
itsikhefez OP
63 posts
 
@auxinput thanks alot for the detailed response!

The pairings were very different until now, and I realised I was probably not matching optimally.
Your answer pretty much validated that and the pairing I figured would make more sense. I now have it setup like you suggested and will listen this way for the next few days.

I have PMC DB1i speakers and in combination with the Exposure and NuWave DAC, I find my system very detailed but not harsh at all and not too forward, overall a sound I like. Thus, if deciding to upgrade connectors, it sounds like Rhodium would be the more appropriate option.

@bdp24 I would love to hear input on that as well , I haven’t replaced the outlets as of yet. I have found improvements when replacing the stock power cables with the ones mentioned above, so I’m not sure if replacing the outlet is a requirement to benefit from an upgraded PC.


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