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  3. 175954-41

Power Cable Break In - Such a Change!

I installed a new AudioQuest Dragon Source power cord from my Lumin X1 to my Niagara 7000. The power cord from the wall to the Niagara 7000 is also a Dragon but the High Current version. I bought that cord used.

So, when I first started using the new power cord everything sounded great. However, after a couple of days I started hearing a strident sound. Especially in the upper mid/ treble region. The bass was also constricted. I started blaming the sound change on another piece of equipment that was installed concurrently.

Now, I was under the impression that the Dragon power cord with its DBS system required no break in. But I did inquire about it to AudioQuest who responded that it would still need about 150 hours to break in. It's been close to that now and sure enough yesterday I started hearing the glorious sound that I heard from day one with the power cord only perhaps better.

I must say the difference during break in and now is quite remarkable, I don't remember any other power cord going through this amount of dramatic change.

ozzy

ozzy

Showing 3 responses by piaudiol

piaudiol
75 posts
 

Holmz.

Cotton is one of the best.  I use it in my cabling extensively.  It is mostly air in construct, plus it is resistant (immune) to energy storage.  Being an organic fiber is a very good thing.

I build interconnects and USB cables with cores and jackets made from cotton. Biggest issue is that it does not inhibit oxidation of the conductors.  That has to be taken care through other means.  In my cabling those means are proprietary.

piaudiol
75 posts
 

Ozzy.  Cotton as a high voltage dielectric "can work", but this has to be approached in a dielectric hybrid manner.  Stupid is as stupid does!

piaudiol
75 posts
 

Chris knows.  His experiences dovetail with my own.  Teflon is a PITA when it comes to break-in... hours and hours and hours.  Polypropylene is better when it comes to time.  Polyethylene takes less time, yet.  Foamed versions of each are quicker.  Thing is, they all sound different.  Teflon is clean and "fast" in character.  Polyethylene is the most organic, with polypropylene somewhere between in sonics.

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