hubbman,
Stay in this hobby long enough and the tweaking will get a hold of you. I think its fun, but I am retired now and have more time to fiddle.
ozzy
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wesheadly,
The Dragons are broken in at the factory, but they still will require many hours within one’s system to fully break in or develop. They also have bias circuitry that is not activated until you pull the tab activating the battery when installing them.
I do get it about the pricing, I have been fortunate in that I purchase items mostly used and can sell them if I want for almost what I paid for them. So, not too bad in the long hall.
I have noticed that as my system has improved, it is easier to tell the improvements.
ozzy
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pokey77,
Thank you, you my friend have actually experienced the phenomenon of cable break in. With some cables this change is extreme.
Many that deny it have never really experienced it they are just stating their opinion. Which is the same that I held many years back until a dealer offered me to try a Synergistic Research Master Coupler. When I first tried it, I couldn't believe it. This cable did indeed provide better bass etc. But how can that be? It's just a cable made of wire. That started me down the road as to not forming an opinion especially on audio components until you try it.
It is strange but it clearly occurs. Even used cable needs some time to resettle to sound its best.
ozzy
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rodman99999,
You have me confused...
ozzy
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holmz,
Would you prefer equipment that measures well or sounds better?
ozzy
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Thanks, rodman99999 for that link, I will save it for future needs.
piaudiol,
Explain how cotton can be used in a "dielectric hybrid manner" in a power cable?
ozzy
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Oh, sorry, I misunderstood.
Yes, it was a leap of faith with the Dragon, I’m glad it worked out. I had good reason to believe it would because I already own the Niagara 7000 and I thought there would be synergy, and there is!
Perhaps those with Synergistic power conditioners will find the Synergistic cables to work better with that equipment, I guess that would also apply to Shunyata and so on.
ozzy
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jfant,
There's always something I may want! LOL. But for now, I am satisfied...(gulp) maybe?
ozzy
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ghdprentice,
The Hurricane is good, but the Dragon at least in my system was/is better. I may even sell my Synergistic Research Galileo SX power cord to complete the full loom of Dragons. So, watch out audiogonners for a great deal on my beloved SR SX cable.
ozzy
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holmz,
I’m not sure I or anyone else can say anything that will change your mind. That’s ok enjoy what you have!
high-amp,
Oh no, not that JA!
ozzy
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jakesnak,
Wow, your home sounds great! My wife has always wanted a log cabin home. So, I bought a barn...but that’s another story.
ozzy
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audphile1,
I have also built many power cables. The best I made was using pure 10 gauge solid .9999 silver wire with the Furutech NCF fittings. I used oversized Teflon tubing and braided them similar to the Dragons. They sound very good, but alas not as good as the Dragons.
ozzy
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Ok, I just listed the Synergistic Research Galileo SX on the gon. I hope I don't regret it!
ozzy
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jdub39,
I am using the Furutech NCF Rhodium I have 6 of them on my 3 dedicated lines. But, I hear ya and I may get a Audioquest Edison specifically for my Niagara 7000.
ozzy
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Glad I can help feed the audio hobby! LOL!
The Dragon is way beyond any other power cord that I have tried at least in tonal quality, dynamics, frequency response etc. And, I have tried a lot.
I am hearing things that I never heard in my system before that I guess was buried in the mix. Also left, right, depth has increased quite a bit. Along with such a calmness in the music that is hard to believe.
ozzy
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Thanks for all the posts thus far.
Just a little of history. I have owned several iterations of PS Audio power plants. I also have owned Acoustic Revive, Shunyata, Purist, Synergistic etc.
The AudioQuest Niagara 7000 has been the most impressive of all of them.
The same with power cords, I have owned all the ones mentioned and lots of other top named power cords. Including some of my DIY and many specialty ones.
The combo of the Dragons with the Niagara 7000 provides the synergy that was probably lacking with the others.
ozzy
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asctim,
Don’t think it too much. Unplugging the cabling probably has some effect, I have never noticed much about just moving them around. However, once I route the cables it is rare that I move them.
ozzy
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curiousjim,
The Dragon source was purchased new. At about the same time I installed a Peak 4 on my Entreq Silver Tellus.
ozzy
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fiesta75,
Perhaps you have purchased used cables in the past. But even with used cables they seem to take a couple of days to settle.
I must say though these Dragons were the most dramatic in change from break in.
ozzy
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tuberist,
It is strange that initially they sounded pretty good until they were used for a couple of days, they took a nosedive in sound quality. Then after a week they sound better than originally.
ozzy
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asctim,
Very interesting.
ozzy
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whitestix,
To me the biggest improvements in my system has been with the AC power. That is the usage of dedicated lines, quality outlets, wire, grounding, power conditioning and the power cables. Get the foundation right and the audio equipment can perform at its best.
On the cost of the power cables, I’m thinking the high cost is also due to all the research that is conducted along with the trial and error. The materials are first rate.
ozzy
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And, if you know your audio system as I do, I can tell the change.
ozzy
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aj523,
I hear Ya. It has taken me years to get to this point. I always call it the lunatic fringe. Stay with this hobby long enough and you too will start searching for that next best thing. Afterall didn't your Hurricane replace your previous cable? Your already on the never-ending journey.
Remember, people pay $$$ for collectable pennies and such. It’s all about what we enjoy!
And, even used cables require some break in or "refreshening".
ozzy
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tyray,
I had the SR before I got the Dragons. The SR has a more dynamic and airy quality.
I think though with my AudioQuest 7000 power conditioner and other Dragons now in my system the Dragons are more of a fit. I may actually sell the SR to complete to all Dragons. I have never had a complete loom of one brand power cables in a long time.
That’s not to say anything against the SR, it really is a fantastic power cord. Especially if you were to have SR power conditioner.
ozzy
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My ears are my best measurement.
ozzy
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rodman99999,
True. Why do I need to measure when I know my system and I can tell an improvement?
ozzy
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holmz
This is what I posted previously.
"To me the biggest improvements in my system have been with the AC power. That is the usage of dedicated lines, quality outlets, wire, grounding, power conditioning and the power cables. Get the foundation right and the audio equipment can perform at its best."
ozzy
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jakesnak,
What is it about the Dragons sound that you don’t like?
ozzy
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I’m getting off my own topic a little, but I would add that room treatment is also important in getting the best out of your equipment.
I have 4 very large ASC tubes in the corners along with 7 Stillpoint Aperture ll’s throughout.
ozzy
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homlz,
Perhaps there is no current viable device that will measure our sonic preference? I mean all we have is Ohms law. If you're hearing and your system is transparent enough, most people will be able to detect the differences. Why such a denier? Try it.
I know what I hear and prefer.
ozzy
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unreceivedogma,
Sorry, not really. Have you experimented with upgraded power cords?
ozzy
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jafant,
I did start out with the intent of using all SR power cords. Until I read that my AudioQuest Niagara 7000 power conditioner works best with their power cords. So, I first started with the Hurricane and liked what I heard and moved on to the Dragon. Now I am trying to assemble an all Dragon set up. The SR Galileo SX is a very awesome power cord.
ozzy
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Well, I sold the SR power cable in one day to a great member here on Audiogon. There were many inquiries. I hope I don't regret it.
Anyway, today I will be ordering my last Dragon to complete the power cable loom. Probably won't get it for a couple of weeks and then the break in process starts again...
ozzy
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holmz,
I would not trust cotton to be much electrical protection with power cables.
ozzy
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holmz,
I made an interconnect a few years ago, in which the wires were stuck flat to some of the packing tape we use for sealing boxes. I taped them on both sides. I made sure the wires were very far apart. Worked pretty good actually, I still have them somewhere.
ozzy
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Well it looks like my final Dragon has finally been shipped by Audioquest.
Hopefully I'll get it next week. I'm curious as to potential benefits to a having a completed AC cable loom and power conditioner with the same Manufacturer.
ozzy
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Just received my 3rd Dragon (Source) power cord. This version no longer has the braided cable otherwise everything looks the same.
First listen, better, clearer, sounding images. Especially so far with acoustic guitars.
Now for the crazy break in that was exhibited the last time.
ozzy
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As clockwork, the newest Dragon now has about 125 hours on it and it is starting to open up and excel.
ozzy
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thanks digitalviper,
I probably have about 300 hours on the latest and final Dragon cord and it has transformed into such a quality producing component. The bass is natural and very deep and the soundstage envelops around. I swear I hear things even behind my head! (Even when I'm not drinking!) LOL!
Expensive, but once the foundation is set every piece of equipment performs at its best.
ozzy
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I don't know if bending a cable will affect its performance, but its probably not a good idea.
ozzy
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mceljo,
You evidently have not read many of my posts.
I have tried soooo many power cords through the years, including many DIY versions. The Dragon for me is the pinnacle of power cords.
ozzy
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holmz,
Through the years I have been buying and selling to improve my set up. Most of my equipment has been purchased used or at very good deals.
With that being said, to me, the power that is used forms the foundation of any quality system. That is; dedicated lines, outlets, power conditioners, power cords, etc.
It will not make the component sound better than designed, but it will help them sound there best.
BTW, to obtain the Dragons, I sold almost every power cord, interconnect, tweak I had that was not being used.
ozzy
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My amps are also tube.
But I am using the Dragons powering my AudioQuest (HC) power conditioner and 2 other solid-state devices.
ozzy
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