Going from the Monsoon/Blizzard to the Thunder brought the most apparent differences of all. The sonic punch and impact is as close to live music as one can get. Dark background, rich colors , lush and saturated sound. Still it manages to present even more details and nuances not present with the Monsoon/Blizzard. I feel the Thunder goes as far as should be needed in transparency and resolution without becoming hyper analytical and losing musicality.
After much trial and error, the Thunder is now my dedicated headphone amp power cord. The infusion of solid and distinct bass notes has proved a perfect match when listening with headphones. It will stay there for quite some time to come.
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Milpai the thunder is connected to my ps 300 regenerator , Iam using DCC ref 4 is also a very good cable but the thunder it lower the noise floor of my system , music flesh out .i think I will try thunder first for power conditioner. No doubt the hurricane is good .But you might be able to get away with thunder for less price.
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Milpai Iam using Vishnu Nordost pc on Ruby the sound is less bass and less energy.On my plinius iam using Kimber Palladian before switching to hurricane HC pc. I can’t listen without the hurricane on plinius ,
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I've been saying no audio and cable company knows how to make the power cable properly, except me.
I will bite @mihorn - tell me.
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@milpai yes 100% system dependent. Yes give AQ a shot. I would bypass Thunder and start with Tornado or Hurricane. Be careful buying AQ on a used market. Too many fakes.
@audphile1, I intended to go with either Tornado OR Hurricane source for the DAC. Thanks for the advice on used market.
@fthompson251 , my dealer carries AQ. But I did read very good reviews about them.
@jayctoy , Thanks for the advice - will keep that handy. BTW, what was your previous power cord and how did the Tornado improve on it? I am guessing that you are using the "source" version on the Ruby and "variable" on the Plinius?
One approach is to use the best possible power cord on the Power Conditioner, because that is the one that provides current to all components. If I like Tornado, I might be willing to pend a bit on the Hurricane for the conditioner.
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Milpai if you audition tornado let it settle for 50 hrs if used if new maybe more, I feel you will like it, Music direct has like summer sale pre pandemic, I grab 1 hurricane, 1 tornado, thunder as well without return policy. Knowing Audioquest pc storm series are good. For the price I took the risk. I was happy to let you know , my plinius sa 100 is happy with the HC hurricanes. My thunder is used on my conditioner. All work good.
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Iam using tornado on my Marantz Ruby sacd player, its a well balanced sound on my system, iam using tube amp and tube preamp.
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I am finding good success with Snake River Audio Signature Series, I have two and another one on the way. (Streamer, DAC and AMP)
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My guess is that cables are system dependent.
I've been saying no audio and cable company knows how to make the power cable properly, except me.
The synergy (system dependent) between cables and components is because the cable or component is not perfect. If a cable is complete, that cable sounds always similar and great with any component. Alex/Wavetouch audio
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Thanks for the details @audphile1. My guess is that cables are system dependent. BTW, those Nordosts are quite a bit more than the budget I have set.
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@milpai I am using Nordost Frey 2 power cord on DAC and Nordost Heimdall 2 power cord on streamer. My integrated amp is also fed by Frey 2.
I can’t recommend AQ. Bloated and dark in my system. Nordost opened things up. Not bright just open and relaxed sound. You have to try though. Don’t take my word for it.
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I am not looking for more bottom end, thicker or warmer. Just more transparency, if it even exists.
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These power cords emphasize low end but it comes at a cost of sacrificing clarity and top end extension. This is the sound signature no matter the component that’s powered by these cords be it a dac, preamp, amp or streamer.
If you like dark sound go for it. If you just want a bit of warmth and a power cord that works well on DACs, try Audience AU24se-i or more recent models. All of these cords will color the sound. The degree of coloration is what’s different.
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If you need more bottom end and thicker sound, get the Tornado HC, otherwise get the Tornado Source for your DAC… trade off is slightly more open mids and highs.
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Reviving an old thread. I am curious about the Tornado. Wanted to try that on my DAC. Currently using a Cullen Crossover Series II on the T+A DAC 200. There was indeed a slight improvement when I switched from the regular Crossover to Crossover II.
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blueskywalker
The Tornado is the sweet spot indeed.
Happy Listening! |
What are your experiences in burn in time / performance? I got the HC Thunder for a few days. Compared to Monsoon immediate improvement - though it sounds somewhat unbalanced, harsh, stiff. |
I have a Hurricane, Tornado and Blizzard. Tornado is probably the sweet spot in my experience. |
Any compared Monsoon, Blizzard and Thunder? |
Having also spoken to a view guys about differences in high current cables - well there is obviously one but it's really a matter if the price premium is worth the added value. BTW also heard that Robin Hood and William Tell should be absolutely outstanding with price/performance ratio. Has anyone also heard them? |
@gshepardbuster and gdnrbob, thx for the info... I am sure the Hurricanes are the best, but the step in price is really big from the Tornado, so I was wondering if they are really worth the diference from the Tornado... |
I forgot to add,
I own the Thunders, at Johnny's recommendation, but another Audiogon member, ctsooner, believes the Hurricane's are the best.- And, I respect his opinion- He, Johnny and I demoed the William Tell speaker cables, and though I am loathe to buy such an expensive cable, I have to admit they were unbelievable good.
Sorry, no experience with the Tornado's.
B |
@blueskywalker ,
Sometimes he gets busy at work.
I can PM his number.
B |
Swapped a Thunder HC for a Tornado HC on my Niagara 5000 which powers sources only. It's better.....please insert all the usual adjectives.
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Nobody else heard these powercables? I thought they were very popular 🤔
@gdnrbob, so far no reply from John, maybe on holiday? |
Blueskywalker they are both the high current versions. I figured that would allow the most flexibility for future applications
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@gdnrbob thx, I wrote him a pm, waiting for reply |
@spinaker01 thx, are they both hc versions or source? Could you specify which set you use pls? |
I have a Thunder and a Tornado. Not sure I could say I hear much of a difference between them. Both sound good and were within $150 of each other in the used market. Using one on source and one on the integrated.
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PM John Rutan (audioconnection).
He can clue you in.
Bob |
