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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
triton20trx
86 posts
 

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.

dayglow
2,446 posts
 

@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.

coppy777's avatar
coppy777
223 posts
 

cleeds... Well said.  Don't think the man actually has ears. 

Maybe, due to his belief in "science" he ignores the differences.  Likely though has never actually tried these products in his own system since he's been told they make no difference.  

karlss0n's avatar
karlss0n
14 posts
 

+1 @jasonbourne71   Hang in there Jason.   When a reputable manufacturer of high-end equipment recommends using their stock PC, that is good enough for me.

amtprod's avatar
amtprod
140 posts
 

Some good information and advice here, including from Jason, whom I think is trying to help folks from wasting their hard earned money on something that maybe psychosomatic. 

With most of your pieces on 'one line', having true dedicated circuits/extra circuits would be best I would imagine.  Otherwise, it may be better to have a sort of 'power base'.
I wish I could credit the member who had recommended power regulation units, but I have a Furman unit for my small system: amp, dac, CD player, Mac Mini (most all older units refurbished).  My next door neighbor is a fabricator, and when he would use his welder or plasma cutter or grinders, I would hear it in the stereo, and other times lights and power would dim/surge.  So I got a 'voltage regulated' unit, that also has some active AC filtering.  I can't testify that the audio gear sounded any different, maybe a little, but the greater audible benefit was stable, consistent regulated and filtered power and no induction noise!!

https://furmanpower.com/products/p-1800-pfr 
 

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