Luvrockin...RE:
The other question is if I replaced the Furman power cable, is it necessary to replace and cords coming out of the Furman? Thoughts???
The answer is - replace all of your power cords, but the cable into the Furman can be the last one to replace.
Quality power cables between the conditioner and the various components tend to provide the most noticeable improvements.
So, what makes a good power cable?...
I have experimented over the last 4-5 years and found that companies that invest in a different cable geometry/architecture often provide the most noticeable improvements over those power cables that simply opt for implementing higher quality conductors.
What is geometry/architecture? - it is how the live, neutral and ground conductors are positioned in relation to each other within the outer sleeve.
Most commercial products simply use high grade conductors and insulation, but still employ a conventional geometry of placing the conductors side by side inside the sleeve with a slight twist.
Others employ a braided geometry/architecture such as that used by Anticables and Less Loss DFPC. I found this geometry to be superior to the conventional geometry above
Less Loss C-Marc series now employs a very complicated geometry of woven conductors, but I have not tried these - yet :-)
KLE Innovations takes a little different approach with their power products, which I believe uses different gauge conductors and their own proprietary geometry (not known), and based on their other products, which I have extensive hands on experience with, I believe their cables would be competitive with the very best cables on the market from companies such as Nordost
And there are a host of other complicated geometries from many other companies, some of which are no more effective than the conventional bulk products from DH Labs, which is very good and reasonable priced, compared to similar products from Furutech.
My own DIY power cables (see link) employ a helix geometry, which I found to be superior to anything else I have tried to date in either DIY or commercially available power cables.
http://image99.net/blog/files/be8de0c383c5434907610d6b55049e69-75.html So when looking into which power cable to buy - look for the more advanced geometry/architecture.
Is a Screen layer required?
- only if you are criss-crossing power cables, e.g. in a recording studio - for home audio it is not as important
- I believe that companies that promote screens in home audio applications are simply playing on peoples paranoia.
- A little known fact: Braided and Helix geometries actually reject RFI and EMI so a screen is not necessary.
My own personal power related preferences...
I have a standard Romex dedicated line with MRI grade outlets
I connect my power amp directly to the outlet and plug the sources into my distribution panel.
I have the Blusound Node 2 and replacing the power cord provided very noticeable improvements.
By comparison, replacing the power cables on my NAIM amp did not result in the same jaw dropping improvements, but did result in some very subtle improvements in the reproduction of venue acoustics and imaging.
Replacing the power cable to the distribution panel provided the least noticeable improvements - but it’s there now - so I keep it more for "comfort" :-)
Hope that answers some of your question
Regards, Steve