Do I need upgraded power cables?


Hello and Good Day

I'm wondering about power conditioners and power cords. Here's my equipment:

Cronus Magnum lll Integrated Tube Amp / Focal Aria 948 DW Speakers / Kimber Kable 8TC Speaker Cables / 2 SVS SB2000 Pro A Subwoofers with SVS Sound Path Subwoofer Cables / Grado Sonata Cartridge / Pro-Ject 2 Xperience SB DC Turntable using the included interconnects / Denon DCD 1700NE CD Player using Kimber Sliver Streak Interconnect / Panamax MR4300 Power Line conditioner and surge protection 

Upgrade the Panamax?  - is it providing anything besides surge protection? Upgrade the power cords for which component? Or do nothing? Maybe my components aren't audiophile enough to justify purchasing upgraded power cords. 

Any advise or recommendations would be appreciated.

Thank you

Bill

 

bzawa

Showing 1 response by sdl4

I have had a good experience with the Cardas Parsec XLR interconnects and speaker cables, but your experience may vary if you are looking for a different sound quality from your cables. I think it's great that you are using the Lending Library from the Cable Company.

Several years ago, I borrowed interconnects from the CC and tested them in my home system. I listened to the Cardas Parsec, the Shunyata Venom, a cable from Synergistic Research, and another cable I can't remember at this time. What I do remember is that I liked the Parsec best. It had a smooth, musical delivery with absolutely no listening fatigue. In contrast, the Synergistic cable overemphasized the high frequencies in a way that was fatiguing and lacking in fullness of tone. The Venom was at the opposite end of the spectrum, sounding very smooth and pleasant, but not being especially lively or engaging. The Parsec was the closest to "just right" for my system and my preferences at that time. The Parsec had enough smoothness and richness to help tame my Thiel metal tweeters without excessive softening of the high end.

After living with, and enjoying, the Parsec XLRs and speaker cables for a couple of years, I decided to move up to more expensive options in the Cardas line of cables. I decided not to go all out on high-end detail, but I wanted to add a bit more transparency and openness without giving up too much of the Cardas' rich tonality. I settled on Clear Reflection, despite it being substantially more expensive than Parsec, and I have been very happy with Clear Reflection in my system.

I am currently testing out a few power cables I borrowed from the CC Lending Library. I have been quite impressed with the Shunyata Theta NR cables, although I wish they had just a touch more "meat-on-the-bones" for my taste and system. I'm afraid I'll have to spend more to move further up the Shunyata product line, but the Theta power cords are definitely a great value. I'm currently using Shunyata Delta V2 NR and Venom-12 NR power cables on most of my gear.

I think you are on the right path in trying out cables in your home system to see what sounds best to you. It's easy to be seduced by high-end detail, and too many cables go over-the-top in a way that is not very realistic and can become tiring to listen to. In your listening, be sure to pay attention to which cables help draw you in for extensive listening to your system. You want to select cables you can live with, not those that provide just an exciting "one-night stand."