ricred1 > Out of all of my cables, my humble opinion is my power cords are the weak link.
>> I want to tweak my system
Blindjim > definitely. Fairly well understood. I feel PCs are where it all gets defined. Saying one should begin there is sort of arbitrary input as many outfits are likely far from being set, as you say your’s is now. Good.
The caveat which looms over the process going forward is that different PCs being injected into the rig will produce new changes in the audio presentation, so one should as well be prepared to at least consider. Changing other wires could be required to get the blend ‘just right’, or more audiophiliac correct, ‘optomized’..
As for a long weekend of trials, I’m not keen on that idea especially given two facts as has been said here by more than me, cords take time once input into the affair, and secondly, the costs. Not for nothing, but even with a little discount which should be in order on that size of a ticket, its too brief a period to make a decision given the amounts or for the wires to really bloom.
That’s not a knock on shunyata. Its my EXP with literally a dozen or more Pcs from various brands and their various models. My ‘left over’ sort of keeper PCs are from five different brands, and two or three models in a couple of them.
Consequently I’m not much of a ‘fan boy’ on anything. If it performs to my satisfaction or better said, as it should I buy it if possible. No regrets.
Its why I’ve not said much as to what this or that PC brings to the table. I found bringing back in formerly enjoyed PCs into a somewhat new rig were not quite the fit they once were in a previous system.
3 days is just truly not fair to you, or the dealer.
I definitely do not have a dog in this hunt. Whatever works for you is gonna be based on a proper trial, and your own budget and preffs. Period.
I’d forget about any subjective accounts from others who do have a dog on the trail when they’re speaking on other or former bgrands. I’ve sat next to other’s listening to the exact same system and recording and thereafter heard them say things about the presentation that were extordinary. A gulf of disparity lay between what they said was heard and what I experienced, at times. Although, there is or was usually one person who was hearing something thin or strident or as is most often reported, bright sounding.
There’s no accounting for ears, or telling them they’re quite wrong. Big mistake. lol
Results, not brands, or popularity floats my boat.
As you sure appear to be dedicated on doing the right thing here eyeing $6K just in wires, I’d suggest before you begin your sojourn into the PC wrestling ring you get:
1. note book or voice recorder.
2. IEC to NEMA (male to female) adapters $3 to $15 ea. Go cheap here.
3. IEC to NEMA (male to female) adapters get the cryo type here
4. male IEC to twin Female NEMA adapter
5. Either make or pick out your fav auditioning playlist. Hope you love it, ‘cause you’re gonna memorize the thing eventually. Probably get sick of hearing it too. But its due diligence, or so I understand.
Figure out a number system you like, being incredibly anal I went with 1 – 10 including decimal points.
Outline the categories that appeal to you to assign points to.
The biggest one on my lists is always ‘naturalness’. Organic. Alive. Wet.
The idea is to be consistent account each cable the same way in which ever areas.
I’ve listed tons of reviews on these pages in the past and the fun part stops faster than one would think. its indeed a job. The results however are well worth the doing..
These IEC adapters prolong the system life by cooking the pc outside of it on a home appliance instead. Freezer and refrigerators are best IMO. Fans are good too. If ya gotta use low power stuff like modems, pcs, clock radios, get a multi NEMA plug and put all three into that one demo PC.
Plug everything in and forget about it or them for 10 days or so, more if brand new, a week if used. Then insert into system.
Put the extracted {PC onto the adapter and appliance you just used for the latest contestant.
After several days of system play, run that ‘playlist’ and begin taking notes and be critical. Objectively critical. Not harsh though.
Save the notes.
When it is all said and done, you’ll pick a lot more winners this way than any other way I’ve yet to find.
I would begin with that PLC you like. Although I looked for your arrangement, I could not find what all was in it so I’m unsure of what your PLC feeds.
An undeniable truth is that a power cord, no matter where it is set, shows its ‘voice’ throughout the affair. One PC on a PLC that feed the entire system can be the beginning point and possibly its ending point too as its immediate authority will be widespread.
If I want only one area to improve if possible, and I like what is going on there another method which in fact does work is to stick two PCs together using one of those fancy ‘cryo’ adapters you already bought.
Yeah. Its not in the ‘audiophilia nervosa ‘break glass in case of emergency pamphlet but by golly it works reall well. Exact same conversation as connecting a PC to a PLC. Scant little diffs. This also helps out with at times a loved but too short PC in some areas.
Look at either end of your audio setup initially. Sources and amps seem to be where the money should go or where one ought to launch the pilgrimage.
Preamps? Not so much, but they do like a decent PC on them, and I’m talking $5 to $11K line stage preamps I’ve had or have. Maybe less expensive ones need better PCs. Dunno.
My Integra and Onkyo HT procs and receiver seem to like upscale PCs more so, responding much better with them than did the upscale preamps. RWV.
If a maker or seller can’t or won’t allow for a qualified demo period, there’s the Cable Co.. I’ve used it to great effect over the years. It used to be that they would keep your rental fees on tap. You could later cash them in on whatever they sold. Dunno if this is still a feature set or not.
The very best part of all this?
Once you’re done with PCs, you can do the same thing with isolation gear, room treatments, and racks or stands. If necessary.
It would be outstanding if you continued posting your trials and tribulations as you roll down PC boulevard.
All the best….
