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

128x128ozzy

this ears adjusting to the sound can get ridiculous...I know I don't sit and critically listen for a few hundred hours while burning-in new stuff...I just check in periodically, so no "ear adjustment" here, and probably little elsewhere...

@ozzy  Your earlier comment on getting foundational aspects in place is spot on. Proper wire, outlets, etc. Problem is when you change up gear the cable aspect can change. For me with Gryphon Mephisto/Pandora 2 cables each! The Dragon High Current had a brittle delivery. I don't even know if brittle is the right word? It sounded unnatural. The Furutech have a fluidity to them, a silky delivery without muddling detail. They have a very life like sound. I'm not saying the AQ are bad cables. I had Classe' CAM 600's, I think the AQ High Current with those amps would be a much better application. Maybe if the outlets were copper it would have been different? As noted I have Rhodium. I ordered a Taiko Extreme and am now attempting to figure out how I want to approach the power cable on that. I have actually heard of people using AQ High Current with Taiko. If I still have them I will give it a try Taiko. Not expecting great results. Typically copper melds well with Taiko. I'm installing a dedicated Furutech GTX-D Gold for Taiko, so I am thinking all copper cable with that outlet. Thinking DPS-4.1 alpha, with all copper connectors. 

BTW, I agree with Ozzy. If you do as much listening as I do you can pick up changes in sonic delivery. Some systems are way more revealing than others. Difference in sound is not the same as changes in sonic detail. Why would anyone  invests this much time, money, and effort not attempt to achieve a proper sounding system?

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