Elrod EPS-3S versus EPS-3

Hi Sherod,

I'm using Elrods on all my components, including line conditioners. I was one of the early users of the original cords. In fact, I even got to try an EPS-1. I kept on upgrading and trying different combinations. Yes, the 3 versions are designed for amps, and that's where I've used them. I tried a 3 on my preamp and my digital components, and found the bass was somewhat bloated or wooly. I hope this helps.

Jfz, I appreciate your opinion. I see you don't have a virtual system posted, so I can't see where you are currently using an Elrod cord. Could you be more specific about your "extensive" use of the Elrods? Have you tried the 3 version on amps as well as front end? I have read that some people have had positive results with the 3 as well as the 2 on front end components. I'll admit that there is a possibility that I could have a potential AC problem which was helped by the Hot Box.

Sherod - Based on a great deal of experience with the Elrods and other cords, I don't believe the "one note bass" you heard was the "fault" of the EPS-3 Signature. I've had the opposite experience, and it seems that your experience once you used the "Hot Box" would confirm the problem was elsewhere in your AC. In any case, I just want to add that the 3 version of the Elrod cords can sound a little bloated, if used on relatively low current devices. The 2 versions are the cords designed for these.

I have both the EPS-3 and the EPS-3S in my system. I did not observe the so called "one-note" bass character. In fact, I thought that both cables had very good bass definition. As usual, observations are system dependent

By the way, the EPS-3S is markedly better than the EPS-3.

I have tried both the original EPS-3 and the EPS-3S and the latter, the Signature is significantly better. One thing I did come across on both is that they both tend to have "one-note" bass. Some people have called this a "wooly" or "bloated" bass.I would like to thank Audiogon member Bwhite for pointing this out and making a recommendation in his virtual system of using another good power cord to help out the Elrods in this respect. I recently bought a Vh Audio Hot Box with the upgraded nickel-plated outlets and auric capacitors. After extensive break-in, I plugged my Elrod EPS-3S into it and "Voila!" The "one-note" bass disappeared and the bass actually grew deeper with better articulation and individualization.This "one-note" bass,IMHO, was the only flaw of the Elrod, and now with a little help from the Hot Box,is truly a reference power cord.

In my opinion the Signatures are clearly better - less colored, more open, more transparent, and cleaner.

Funny you should ask. The Sig 3 has slightly deeper bass and is more natural sounding in the mids, it just sounds more real. I tired the cords in two different systems on a Pass X-250 SS amp and a Graaf 5050 tube amp with the same results. I would buy a Sig 3 for the used prices and put one on my amp. We also tried using the non EPS-3 on the CDP but the combo did not work well at all. Too much of a good thing as it sounded a little slow. I tired the Sig 2 on the CDP a long time ago with the Sig 3 on the amp but did not find the Sig 2 added any real improvement at that time, in that system. If you only have enough scratch for the non EPS 3, buy it and don't look back.

Happy Listening.