Audio envy - dang!

Cap has some new power cords on the site called Ocean Expanded. I received a couple of them on Thursday and they have proven to be a step up in detail and clarity from the Ocean Elite. More information is coming through on the high end.

I've had an Expanded for a few months and I'm getting the same results as well.

@pokey77 

Thanks for your post, you made me revisit the AE site. Well, I was looking for a power distributor for my 2nd system that doesn’t impede current and devoid of any coloration. Well, they have a PD called OKTA that peaked my interest along with Expanded PC…perhaps early X’mas gift to me 😊

@lalitk 

I've noticed that PD before. Looks like a great piece.

I sent you over more info on AE that may be helpful. In the end, I'd probably ask Cap about the correct pairing of power cord for the PD. Later

@pokey77 

Thank you for the additional info. I will reach out to Captain for best possible pairing. 

Also, Cap mentioned some new speaker cables called model 34. I had seen these at CAF when I visited the Endow Audio room, but he mentioned that these should be on the site next month.

I have been using five Ocean-Expanded power cords for several months with exceptional results.   Also in the system,  SP12 Speaker Cables and a Quad Power distribution system.   

N

My SP12's arrive Tuesday. I can't wait.

Very happy and surprised with AE power cords quality and SQ.   Bought a used Ocean Lite and Ocean Elite 3 for my HT system Dac/Streamer and Amp.  Wanted lighter more flexible cords with tight connection and these checked those boxes. Liked them enough to buy a  used Mega, another Elite 3 and  Lite for my 2-channel system’s power conditioner, Amp and Dac.  I was completely surprised and the level of improved SQ.  Especially the Mega cord, it made the biggest improvement on my power conditioner.  I am an AE believer now! 

The New Ocean-Expanded power cords are exceptional.   Lightweight, flexible but more importantly, their ability to let music flow effortlessly. 

Their frequency extension seems to be limitless with perfect tonal balance.  Tone, timbre and texture is spot on. 

Their low frequency range is nothing short of spectacular.  Music has clarity like never before.  

@nutty have you compared the New Ocean-Expanded to the Ocean Elite 3?  If so how do they compare?  Also, are your Ocean -Expanded the base cable or did you purchase any of the ground upgrades offered?  Thanks 

Hello tksteingraber - I have had the Ocean 3P cables on my sources and a Mega on the amp. There both fantastic cables. However I’m now currently using five Expanded’s on my amp and source components. After careful consideration I felt the Expandeds offered more frequency extension, clarity and better timbre in my system.

For your guidance, I am running a full loom of AE cables.

@nutty Thanks.  I am considering adding an Expanded cable on my Tube preamp.  Did you get the grounding upgrades on your expanded cables?  

tksteingraber - I did not get the Upgraded Ground. I’ve had my cables since May 2023 so my cables were some of the first production run and hand made.

Glad this discussion kept going! Just ordered an Expanded power cable to try out. Had meant to try Audio Envy cables a while ago and glad I placed the order today. Looking forward to it. Thanks all.

Same here I just placed an order for an Expanded power cable with the ground/braid upgrade.  Cap said it is well worth getting it if you can swing it.  Improves it even more.  Look forward to see how it compares to the Elite 3.  

SP12's arrived and I finally had a chance to hook them up. First, I followed the arrow to the speaker recommendation for a warmer sound and the bass was just too bloated for me. I reversed them and the bass response improved. I'll give them some time to break in and report back with how I like them.

Going on 20 hrs and these cables are difficult to listen to. I find them very fatiguing. 

@evank Talk or email Cap he is very helpful in explaining his cables in and outs. I had some similar ribbons that were fatiguing and took about 75-100 hours to sound excellent. Of course your cables are different as is your system. Good luck. Love his power cables.

The captain responded and helped my situation. Just to help anyone else in the future both his suggestions helped. here they are.

Try the configuration with arrow of the positive wire, facing toward the speaker.  Then position the arrow of the negative wire, facing towards the amplifier. 

(This should be the least forward sound.)

What is the positioning and spacing that you have between the wires leading to the speaker? 

this will also affect the tone. 

Cap

Most of the testing that we did is with the cables stacked on top of each other, 1 to 2 inches apart. 

I would experiment with separating them 3 inches apart, and then gently move them together until you find your desired tone.  It’s possible that having them extremely separated, could work in your situation.  It would likely pull the mid range back. 

But other anomalies can happen with it. 

Cap

nutty

Thank You for the update.   Happy Listening!

On 12/21/23 in installed a Audio Envy receptical. It’s the same high quality outlet that Captain uses in the OKTA Pro power distribution system. The unit features a robust build with a thick rigid backing plate that instills confidence with installation. In addition the OKTA Pro has it’s share of high purity copper gold plating. Every element of this overly engineered receptical screams AC signal transmission and  the gold plated Conductors spring system grips like a vice.

Upon installation in my system I immediately began hearing cues and micro details that seemed covered up with my former outlets. (AV Options Deep-Cryo Hubble, Pangea, PS Audio Power Port and the Furutech GTX-D). After reaching two hundred hours the performance is fast, neutral and doing a great job of preserving the musical warmth.

N

@nutty don’t see these recepticals on AE’s website to order. Is this an ask Cap special order only?  Price?  Thanks

Also, I have now had my new OE Expanded with ground upgrade power cable for 2 weeks and it is a really nice step up.  Everything is just better.  Quiet, black background, more 3D, hear details I didn’t hear before.  

Greetings.@ tksteingraber

Thanks for the feedback on the Ocean-Expanded Upgraded Ground cords. I’m tempted to audition them. Were you able to compare and contrast the original Ocean-Expanded vs. the Upgraded Ground together in your system?

You’ll need to contact Captain directly for more information, insight and pricing on the OKTA Pro outlets. They are not on the website as of yet.  It's been one of my most economical upgrades I've made yet!  I'm sure he'd love to hear from anyone wanting to take their system to the next level,  especially if they are using Audio Envy power cords.  

N

@nutty I don’t own any regular OE expanded.  I did compare it (on my tube preamp) to an OE elite 3 and the expanded with ground upgrade is much better it all ways.  Cap told me that he highly recommended the ground upgrade and it is well worth it.  Maybe he would take a  trade in and you could try one and compare…enjoy the music.  Cheers, Tom

Hi Tom - Thank you for the tip on the Ocean-Expanded with the Upgraded Ground.  I'm seriously considering a consultation with Captain. 

N

An excellent update- nutty

Happy Listening!

Thank you J.A.!!

N

I ordered 2x Ocean-Expanded with Upgrade 3- with
OCC Ground & Braid. I'm going to try these upstream

my question is for power amp. I have relatively power hungry speakers that regularly dip below 4ohms. Im using a krell 300xd duo

Is the mega more suitable? or maybe a high current cable from different company?

it seems you guys are happy with ocean expanded on amps?

I would ask Cap, he is very responsive and helpful.  Try the expanded when they arrive you might be surprised.  I would think the Mega is a good choice.  Only way to know is try one.  With AE’s 45 day return policy no risk.

I just received a pair of O'nestian XLRs today to go between a Pontus ll and Lokius EQ. And Dang! is right. Right out of the box I think it is smooth and refined. Very nice indeed.Adding the Lokius meant having to add another cable so I've been trying the few spares of various brands from the "leftovers" box since the particular Voodoos that are used throughout are no longer available..The best (but not quite good enough)result was with an AE RCA pair.So why not give the AE XLRs a chance?

Darn good cables for not whole lot of money! And Captain (owner) have been very methodical in his approach to fine tune his cables. 

Has anyone compared the AE phono cable vs Iconoclast phono? 

I didn't think that Iconoclast made a phono cable. I had contacted them about it a few months ago and at that time, they didn't have one and told me that they were not making one.

I contacted Captain to ask about an XLR to RCA cable to go out from my new API equalizer to my preamp.He said he could make one to my specifications when I was ready. After some experiments with adapters and cables with different wiring configurations the one ordered from BlueJean Audio (Belden wire) worked perfectly but had a slightly grainy texture which actually complemented certain instruments. Vocals not so much though.So I ordered the cable from AE and hoped for the best.

Just received it today and it exceeded my expectations which was simply no more grain.Right out of box it's silky smooth,grainless,and a perfect fit in my system. There is nothing to criticize.I played the same CD that I was just listening to without adjusting the volume or the equalizer.Then chose a few more to try finding something unacceptable.Nope.It's staying.