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

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. 

+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.

 

 

 

... Hitchen’s Rule: Claims made without proof can be dismissed without proof ...

That’s not at all what "Hitchen’s Rule" states. Rather it says, "What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence." There’s plenty of empirical evidence about the differences between power cables here on A’gon, but it’s just the sort of evidence that makes you uncomfortable for some reason. Hence your repeated knee-jerk reactions that include false claims and pretzel logic.

An ABX blind test between power cords can be done ...

Not easily, and not that would allow the sort of quick switching that advocates of that type of testing claim is required.

Of course, @jasonbourne7, you’re free to do whatever testing you please, and even to share it here. But no one here owes you anything at all.

The people making and selling power cords are as honest as a 3-card monte dealer.

Here is where Hitchen’s maxim applies. As you offer no evidence of your claim, it can be summarily dismissed.

My experience with adding a good power conditioner before changing component power cords.

System:
Richard Gray 400 Pro power conditioner( primarily surge protection)
Rega Planar 10 w/Alphelion 2 cartridge 
Rega Aura phono pre-amp 
PrimaLuna EVO 400 integrated amp with all NOS tubes in the preamp section
Totem Element Metal V2 Floor standing speakers
Nordost Red Dawn power cables
Viablue SC-6 speaker cables and interconnects.

I was very pleased with this system sure that is was the end game for me.
But we have to tinker don’t we.

I bought a used Synergistic Research Powercell 12 UEF with Galileo Analogue power cord from The Music Room knowing I had a 30 day return policy if not satisfied.

The impact was not dramatic but was significant.  The dynamics of speed and impact were improved, voicing was clearer, soundstage was bigger particularly depth, and there were details I had never heard particularly percussion.  This was with music from Led Zeppelin to Nora Jones.  The power conditioner didn’t seem to add anything only took away noise/ grunge that was putting a veil on the music. A veil I was unaware of until it was lifted.

In conclusion I’m not sending it back.  My recommendation would be to improve your power strip to a quality power conditioner before changing cables.

@cleeds    +1  I have tried 5 different PC’s on my Esoteric A 03 amplifier. All 5 have had different sound characteristics with the Shunyata Research Delta v2 NR being clearly the best. FWIW-HI Diamond P3(2nd) Acoustic Revive Reference(3rd) Opera Consonance Ella Baby(Chinese Audience clone 4th) lastly the Audio Magic Sorcerer(1 meter cord). To answer the OP’s question Shunyata Research checks all the boxes with power cords and conditioners. Their 25 year old King Cobra is a power cord that is still in demand.