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Diving into Power... Cable recs for my system and ears....?

Hello All,

 

I have been enjoying a full system upgrade over the past year... the interconnects and digital cables were an eye opener! Now I am bringing my attention to power...

I am currently running my components off a power strip that is 10' long... supposedly designed for audio. All my major components are plugged into this. This power strip is plugged into a wall outlet, which is shared with some lights etc. Also plugged into this power strip is my wifi router. 

 

I have a few questions:

-What is the most important in regards to impact to overall sound if I were to upgrade the power cords? My guess its: 1: Amp.... 2: DAC... 3: Streamer... is that right? Or is it the opposite? 

-Should I have an electrician setup a dedicated outlet to my electrical box, and run my main components off that? Is this worth it? or is there another setup between my electrical box and my components? Or if there is no detectible buzz, should I simply not bother?

-If I should begin looking into power cords as the first upgrade here, what cord would you recommend if I yearn for the following: Extreme startling presence and separation... magic midrange, highs blissful, voice acoustic jazz violin, piano... essentially startling presence as if the instrument is right there... 

I have been enjoying Anticables, and they have a well rated cable in the $300 range which supposedly is as good or better than $1000 cables... but I am open to recommendations...! 

 

Thank you all!

Richard

 

 

 

 

Currently my system (also outlined in my virtual system profile) is as follows:

    • SPEAKERS: Pure Audio Project Duet 15 Horn (Mundorf Silver Gold Oil Cap upgrade and customized crossover w/high pass filter and sweeter meds), Anticable 4.2 Flex Internal wire)
    • STREAMER: Nagra Streamer (Cardas Clear Coaxial)
    • DAC: HoloAudio Spring 2 Level 3 Kitsune edition (Silversmith Fidelium RCA Interconnects)
    • AMP: PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP Integrated (RAY TUBES EL34 Reserve power tubes, RADIOTECHNIQUE NOS 12AU7 Gain tubes w/Mullard NOS and Brimar NOS tubes (Anticables 4.2 Flex to speaker)
    • PHONO: Music Hall MMF-9 and McIntosh MP 100 Preamp (Audio-Technica AT160ML MM Cartridge, Anticable 7.3 and Silversmith fidelium Interconnects)
whyrichard
jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
1,843 posts
 

Maybe Amir can step in here. Though he's already gone past fifteen rounds on that other thread.

jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
1,843 posts
 

@052rc Go to Audio Science Review. I have! Amir has tested hundreds of components. 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,944 posts
 

I would recommend running two dedicated circuits for your system first. One for streaner, one for amp and dac. Get high quality outlets. I really like Shunyata - reasonably priced, solid build, good contact area and grip. A very noticeable improvement. 
Plug your amp directly into wall outlets. Try the source components direct as well. If you feel you need a power conditioner get one for your streamer and dac. Keep the amp running direct. 
Go with the best power cable you can afford for the amp. Then move on to power conditioner cable for the source, then dac and upgrade one on the streamer last. 

I would skip the power conditioner if you run dedicated lines for time being. Try few different power cables to what works best. 
 

fthompson251's avatar
fthompson251
750 posts
 

I agree with the dedicated power lines. Since you have 4 components I suggest you look into the Kinki Studios/Vinshine Tai Hang power conditioner and a good cord for it. Then next upgrade power cords starting with your amp. The TaiHang made a significant difference in the consistency of my systems performance. It now always sounds it's best with good power. So my suggestion is start with dedicated lines and then the TaiHang. You will notice a difference. Then you can research power cords in your budget. I like Snake River Audio myself, I have 5 of them. 

tyray
1,034 posts
 

+1 @fthompson251 

Although I haven’t yet upgraded to the Kinki Studios/Vinshine Tai Hang power conditioner as of yet, I am using a Puritan 156 power conditioner and strangely enough in a good way somehow with my LTA Microzolt MZ3 preamp it does not succumb to the compression of sound as some have reported on others rigs.

My cables are, interconnects 聖HIJIRI HCI RCA Signal cable, 聖HIJIRI Nagomi Power cord for my LTA Microzolt MZ3 preamp which both produce fantastic synergy with each other, 聖HIJIRI HCS Speaker cable and a Revelation Audio Labs -  Prophecy CryoSilver Reference HDMI cable for I2S output/input from a Shanling ET3 CD Transport to a Laiv Harmony µDac. Revelation Audio Labs -  Prophecy CryoSilver Reference phono cable with a Technics SL-100C turntable and a Parks Audio Budgie Tube phono preamp.

I did have a EverSolo DMP-A8 but sold it waiting on Laiv to come out with their version of streamer. And to that, just in case anyone wants to know, I got this email from Weng Fai Hoh of Laiv 10/05/2025.

About the streamer: it’s still in development, and we don’t have a firm release date yet and it will not be available this year. We’re taking extra time to make sure it truly stands out in a market with many good options. 

So I don’t think it will be coming out anytime soon.

 

 

 

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