Ok, I ordered a Main Cables R Us linear power supply from the U.K. for Arcam irDAC, upgraded at factory with rhodium IEC socket and fuse, and silver DC supply cable. It is currently connected to Wiremold power strip by a Nanotech 308 AC cable with Furutech gold plated plugs. The power supply has been powered up pretty much solid for 3 months. Cut to chase, this is a big improvement over stock wall wart.
The power supply alone with stock AC cable offered smoother top end, more natural sounding voices, stronger and more defined bass, noticeably better soundstage, also improved the already very good tone and PRAT.
I replaced the stock "parts bin" AC power cable with an Isotek Evo3 Premier cable recommended by MCRU as upgrade for this LPS. Startling sound explosion - sound level immediately increased by several decibels (!) with more snap to leading edges and greater top end clarity. Maybe too much top end. After giving this cable several weeks to settle down, I swapped out my Nanotech interconnects with rhodium RCAs that had been my favorites for the irDAC for the same type wire with gold plugs, and that helped things smooth out on top.
But I couldn’t help thinking the MCRU power supply and IrDAC combo deserved an even better AC supply cable. Shopping around I stumbled onto the new Nanotech 308 in ad on Agon, and based on good experience with their interconnects I bought unterminated wire and assembled myself. This was a revelation. Lowered volume overall compared with the Isotek, but even cold there was so much more touch and detail with out sounding busy or fussy. Painterly and panoramic soundstage, closest I’ve heard to analog in my system yet. More and better bass too. Just a big improvement in all areas. Others who have listened to my system and were familiar before noticed the positive differences immediately without prompt.
The combination of the irDAC with the MCRU power supply and the Nanotech 308 power cable along with decent interconnects makes for very rewarding (and extended) listening. I tried an Anker battery supply before the MCRU supply and did not like the sound of the battery as much as stock wall wart. The MCRU linear power supply on the other hand made a big positive difference, revealing full value and engineering of irDAC, and allowing further tweaking with various AC power cords. Very happy - highly recommended upgrade.
kn
The power supply alone with stock AC cable offered smoother top end, more natural sounding voices, stronger and more defined bass, noticeably better soundstage, also improved the already very good tone and PRAT.
I replaced the stock "parts bin" AC power cable with an Isotek Evo3 Premier cable recommended by MCRU as upgrade for this LPS. Startling sound explosion - sound level immediately increased by several decibels (!) with more snap to leading edges and greater top end clarity. Maybe too much top end. After giving this cable several weeks to settle down, I swapped out my Nanotech interconnects with rhodium RCAs that had been my favorites for the irDAC for the same type wire with gold plugs, and that helped things smooth out on top.
But I couldn’t help thinking the MCRU power supply and IrDAC combo deserved an even better AC supply cable. Shopping around I stumbled onto the new Nanotech 308 in ad on Agon, and based on good experience with their interconnects I bought unterminated wire and assembled myself. This was a revelation. Lowered volume overall compared with the Isotek, but even cold there was so much more touch and detail with out sounding busy or fussy. Painterly and panoramic soundstage, closest I’ve heard to analog in my system yet. More and better bass too. Just a big improvement in all areas. Others who have listened to my system and were familiar before noticed the positive differences immediately without prompt.
The combination of the irDAC with the MCRU power supply and the Nanotech 308 power cable along with decent interconnects makes for very rewarding (and extended) listening. I tried an Anker battery supply before the MCRU supply and did not like the sound of the battery as much as stock wall wart. The MCRU linear power supply on the other hand made a big positive difference, revealing full value and engineering of irDAC, and allowing further tweaking with various AC power cords. Very happy - highly recommended upgrade.
kn