I don't want to get into a debate about if powercords and/or cables sound different or not. I just want to talk about the differences between the Audioquest Dragon and Audioquest Hurricane powercords in my system, based on my ears and preferences. My system consists of a Jeff Rowland 625 S2 amplifier, Jeff Rowland Corus preamp, Chord Dave DAC, Antipodes DS GT music server, Monitor Audio PL500 ii speakers, JL Audio F112 v2, Clarus Crimson speaker cables, Wireworld Platinum series 8 XLRs, and all Audioquest Hurricane power cords. I have two Dragon powercords for a home audition. I put one on my DAC and the other on my preamp. My initial thought is the Dragon added a lot of detail. I usually listen with the volume set at 60, but had to reduce it to 58 with the Dragon inserted. After letting the music play for awhile, I did some critical listening for 90 minutes or so. I'm pretty certain that I will keep all Hurricanes and not purchase any Dragon powercords. It isn't because I think the Hurricane is better. I submit they are different and I always say cables are system dependent. In my system the Hurricane is a more balanced cable, where the Dragon is forward to my ears and it's a cable that really highlights details in a way that I don't like. E.g. when I listened to a blues track by KEB MO, with the Dragons the guitar was very forward and dominate, his voice was out of balance and the bass wasn't as full. Returning to the Hurricanes provided excellent balance with detail and fuller bass. Things may change over the next couple of days, but I don't usually change from my initial thoughts. There are no absolutes in audio and careful component matching is more important than how much a component cost.
I am thinking of buying the hurricane Hc! My friend had personally compared audioquest hurricane hc to Nordost Valhalla v2. He said hurricane he beats Valhalla v2 hands down.
i also read hurricane hc beat even Odin 1 and 2! Hurricane is only 10% of the price of Odin!
have anyone has first hand experience with hurricane vs Odin, wireworld platinum Electra?
I had WW Platinum Electra series 7 and compared it to Audioquest Thunder. In my system the Thunder was a cleaner sounding PC that enabled more detail. Not night and day difference, but easily discernible in my system. The aforementioned experience prompted me to sell my WW Platinum Electra and I purchased AQ Hurricanes. I suggest a home audition, because cables are system dependent.
ricred1 Thank You for another PC comparison. I had only auditioned the WW Silver Electra 7 power cord. I can certainly vouch for the AQ Hurricane and Tornado models.
Just to follow-up with my original thread.
I sold all of my Hurricane cables for two main reasons:
1) they are super stiff
2) after hearing Audioquest Dragons in my system, I kept thinking about the
clarity of the Dragons compared to the Hurricanes. I'm not talking a night and
day difference, but it's easily heard. The Dragon's sound lean compared to the
Hurricane's and I truly thought the Hurricane’s had a fuller sound, but I think
in hindsight instead of the Hurricane's being more balanced, I actually submit
the Dragon's are a more balanced cable. So, why not just go for the Dragon’s?
Stiffness and price! I actually set limits on what I’m willing to spend, unless
something is significantly better than another component. In the case of the
Dragon’s versus Hurricane’s, although the Dragon’s are “better” to my ears, not
significantly enough to justify the price difference. Especially when I require
five power cords.
@OP, I can sympathize with the stiffness of the power cords.
I, for one, find that really inconvenient when a piece of equipment can literally be lifted off its' feet-like my Ayre Codex. I had to buy a bunch of right angle adapters as well as some super expensive Voodoo Cable adapters that allow for non-90 degree turns. I called AQ and let them know of my feelings, but it seems to be something they don't care to deal with.
I really think AQ makes fine products, but at least make them malleable enough to use in the real world. Sorry for the rant... Bob
Bob, "I really think AQ makes fine products, but at least make them malleable enough to use in the real world." I agree. It's Audio and sometimes we change cables and/or components. I found something (Clarity Cables Vortex powercords) that I think are very good and affordable. I simply wanted to share my finding with fellow Audiogon members.
I own a Dragon and put it on my amp and it sings, the bottom end is deep and tight, smooth throughout the mids and highs with vocals brought forth with detail and body. I do use my Hurricanes plug into my front-end gear consisting of the Marantz SA-10 SACD/DAC player and my Mark Levinson 326S, with the amp being the McIntosh MC-402. The front end is powered by the PS Audio P-12 which also uses a Hurricane to power it. I may go to a 2nd Dragon and use that to power the P-12, or perhaps use them on the front end gear with the Hurricane on all the rest. I like having a mix and match in power cords because one level could well work better on gear than the other, that is just how power cords work. Listening to Beethoven 9th and it sounds sublime. Speakers are Spatial Audio Sapphire M3’s.I do have an AQ Firebird PC that I will bring into the mix shortly.
I second what Ozzy says - I cannot imagine the Hurricane cords EVER being better than the Dragon HC or Source cables. The Hurricane is decent at its price but that's the extent of it.
It becomes a bigger question in whether Dragon HC or Source are better on the sources; I've decided I like the Dragon Source on sources but that would be a little more system dependent. I think my system is pretty neutral and natural sounding.
I also have a Marantz SA-10 and have tried the Hurricane and Dragon on it. Dragon takes the top spot all day.
rnrmf1971 Good to read about another fan of the SA-10 Reference player.Which power cord(s) have you attempted prior to the AQ Dragon ? Happy Listening!
I have Dragon Source on my DAC. Hurricane on my Amp and Power Conditioner. Dragon is detailed and refined. To me the Hurricane is a big and bold sound and complements Dragon. Love these Storm series power cables! -Alex
Which power cords will sound better would depend on your room acoustics and speakers, and then lastly gear. But the room rules. Dragon is so balanced from top to bottom, the bass is deep but tight, but if you have speakers that can go to 30Hz that Dragon will put on stand-up bass in your room, and the details from each pluck and pull off those think strings are spooky good. Vocals have plenty of air and presence, some may wish for more thicken or chestiness like good old tubes could do when they sound like tubes not like SS as of today. If the Dragon makes Sinatra sound correct as well as a good piano recording then it is back to the recording quality if vocals sound thin. The better the PC the more your equipment is able to deliver what each piece of gear is fully capable of. In the end though it is what we like, and that what your system should sound like because that is the Absolute Sound, you enjoying listening to your music on your system.
You must have a verified phone number and physical address in order to post in the Audiogon Forums. Please return to Audiogon.com and complete this step. If you have any questions please contact Support.
