Power Cable Audioquest Dragon vs Isotek EVO3 Ascension

Update:  I recently replaced the Audioquest Hurricane HC PC that I was using on my DAC with an AQ Firebird source PC.  I'm done!!! 

You need to do some research on circuit breakers, what you said is incorrect. A 15 amp breaker will trip at 80% of it’s 15 amp rating which is 12 amps, but that’s continuous, breakers are time sensitive. A lot more than 15 amps for short durations can and does happen without the breaker tripping.

Actually a 15 amp breaker will pass 15 amps continuous load all day long without tripping. Some breakers more than that.

NEMA Standard:

Breaker rating 0-30A. Allowable Trip Time.

A 15 amp breaker must, supposed to, trip at a continuous 20.25A , (135%), in 1 hour.

30 amps continuous, (200%), in 2 minutes.

Must... Hopefully will...

A loose wire to breaker terminal connection, will cause heat to be generated in the loose connection and will transfer to the thermal unit in the breaker, causing the breaker to trip at current lower than 15 amps.

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The breaker doesn’t see VD, (Voltage Drop), that may be created on the branch circuit wiring because of the connected load. Or the power supply of an amplifier being pushed hard, playing a high dynamic music as it pulls short bursts, (gulps), of current to resupply current, (actually I believe it's electrical energy), to the electrolytic caps. Power amplifier’s power supplies like a steady state line voltage.

        The resident OCD IMPOSTER, of a FICTIONAL intelligence operative, has the gall to claim:

                    "Someone not afraid to speak the truth! "

                                                  HILARIOUS!

Yes this is a concern of mine. But I usually look at how many positive reviews a seller has. I bought a Shunyata research on Us Audiomart and there was a noticeable improvement.

I mean when they say it's a demo is it?

I bough a used AQ dragon on audiogon once. I’ll never know if it was legitimate or a chinese knockoff

as you can see if you research, the dragon PC prices fluctuate dramatically. I actually used mine for a few months but I dont believe aftermarket PCs work that well with gryphon amps. And they test their stuff with their own cords and even provide their cords for you if you buy the Apex.

I wasnt seeing a huge improvement given the price, so I sold it for a rather large profit...

Hence my issue with buying this item on this website. I wouldnt buy used unless full documentation. Or just buy new haha

I am a firm believer in cables are system dependent. And learned and heard this with my own ears. Like, garbage in, garbage out.

I had an all Carver system for years, all were internally updated, sounded good.

Then got the itch to upgrade. You can believe ghdprentice. I did. I took a gamble deciding to get some ARC gear based on his descriptions of ARC gear and won. Searched and got a REF5SE. Later a REF75SE. And then an Aurender shortly after.

Once again, took his advice and got a well broken in AQ Hurricane for my amp. Holy crap is all I can say. Game ender.

And again, Transparent Ref PC for my preamp. Again, done there.

Lot safer to audition in your system before committing though.

@chauncey 

FWIW: I did a cable shoot out with the AQ Firebird HC, Shunyata Sigma V2 NR, Synergistic Euphoria HC L3…, and RSX Beyond PC. I know the Dragon sits above the Firebird and it has a lot of fans. But it was beyond my price range. So, take this for what it’s worth: out of all the cables that I tried, I picked the RSX Beyond. 

I went through the Cable Co. I took my time. I picked the one that sounded the best to me, in my system.

I know @macdude has experienced both, so there’s another big data point.

Nevertheless, you gotta try ‘em in your system to really know.

I've owned both.

Ascension is a great cord that never leaves my amp.

I prefer copper over silver in my system, so I put an Audioquest Hurricane high current power cable on my DAC and, WOOOOOOW!!! 

NEVER buy without listening in YOUR system FIRST! Cords do make a difference but in my experience, the effect is unpredictable. 

The biggest change in sound quality to my current system has been amp power cords. I switched among Cardas Clear Beyond, Cardas Clear Reflection, Transparent Ultra, WireWorld 7, DHLabs, the ARC stock cord, and the Audio Research heavy duty stock cord (10 gauge?). Each after market cord had strengths and weaknesses, that kept me from committing. Then the AQ Hurricane… no weaknesses… more detail, lower noise floor and no attenuation of treble. Perfect. It took a few minutes to be sure. Not subtle.

Unfortunately, no one can really tell you what changes these cables will make to the sound of your system.

TMR, Upscale and Music Direct have a 60 day return policy. Upscale and MD stock both brands. If you’re planning to buy new, this is the way to go unless you have a local dealer who’s willing to lend you these cables for a home trial. There’s also The Cable Co. who lend cables out for a fee for a home audition. 

If the rest of your cables are AQ, it would probably make sense to continue with AQ, but this is just an assumption in case you are unable to purchase and try or you’re purchasing used.

Also, in this price range you have Audience FrontRow, Transparent and Nordost, as well as Shunyata, etc.

It’s got very little to do with amperage.

The only way to buy power cords is to borrow a bunch of them and try them out with favorite tracks and trust your ears.

Since a 14 gauge cord can briefly pass high peak currents there is no point in using an 8 gauge or lower power cord unless you are into welding!

@jhnnrrs : at last! Someone not afraid to speak the truth! The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) should examine the spurious claims made by the power cord purveyors.

@invalid : my mistake! Actually a 14 gauge cord can pass lots of current - if only for milliseconds! It will get hot briefly! Enough to melt the insulation? Possibly! I wouldn't use it for arc welding!

Anyone who drops that much money on a power cord without even considering the basic science that shows them to be a total scam can probably be counted on to buy $5000 in gift cards to get themselves out of a jam with the IRS.

OP,

I am really sorry for all those unhelpful posts by @jasonbourne71. That is his thing.

I only own an Audio Quest Hurricane for my amp. After working through many other power cords it just completely hit the right (neutral) tonal balance and low noise floor. I compared with quite a few other PCs.

But I have not tried a Dragoon or Isotec. Given the chatter from folks that have gotten Dragons, this would be my first choice. But at this level, you should be able to try and compare.

My amp is only 180 watts nameplate so I only need 1.5 amps so I'm going to power it with a 20 gauge wire. I assume eveyone is ok with that?

Just showing the foolishness of thinking traditional P=IV for powering an amp.

Jerry

@jasonbourne71 

You need to do some research on circuit breakers, what you said is incorrect. A 15 amp breaker will trip at 80% of it's 15 amp rating which is 12 amps, but that's continuous, breakers are time sensitive. A lot more than 15 amps for short durations can and does happen without the breaker tripping.

These wire companies are not your friends! They prey upon naive gullible people for their own profit! Touting power cords for sonic "improvement" is, dare I say it, hucksterism!

A 14 gauge power cord will easily handle 15 amps! No need for anything else! Stop listening to the untutored! The sound of any component starts with the power supply - not with the wire to the wall outlet!

Seriously all the current your amp can use is limited by the breaker box. Those are typically 15 amps. No matter the gauge of the power cord to the wall outlet all you will get is a maximum of 15 amps. So no arc welding for you!

Only if you plan to use your amp for arc welding!