power cable tryout High fidelity cables has me wondering..... need suggestions now
Last Saturday a good friend brought over a power cord to give a try in my system, one of Rick Schultz High Fidelity Cables, friend said he paid around $5000 not sure the model but they have large magnets on them, i think. I did not know he was bringing this cable so it was a surprise.
I have a Mac C2700 preamp, Mac mc301 mono amps, driving some large OB's from Tri-Art supported by Rel subs, source was my Acoustic Solid turntable with a Sumiko Pear wood calibration 2 cart. I have run PS audio AC5 series forever now (approx. $500 each), I figured they were good enough and I would not hear much if any difference. Not enough for me to rush out and look at better.
Well let me tell you my friends I was shocked how different putting this cable on my preamp would make in the sound for the positive. It was on order of putting in a new Preamp or new tubes. not subtle in anyway, to be honest i was a bit angry at how much it changed my system. I was behind my listening chair, in my kitchen ( listening room and kitchen are one large room) filling a glass of water and I just sighed when he started plying music. I didn't even have to be in the sweet spot let alone close, hell my head was in my fridge). it was like the whole system lost its hash. It cleared up the top end so much i was able to raise the tuning point on my speakers to increase the top end a bit. everything cleared up became more detailed without any strain, sibilance etc. one dam cable....
Darn it now i need to look at power cables and other cables as well...
well I cannot afforded to put $5000 cables throughout my system so I'm looking for suggestions on something a little less, under $2k each sort of thing. But that can give me a good portion of what these gave. any suggestions. used-new I'm not particular.
One thing i wont be buying anymore PS Audio power cables, probably ok for $500 but once you hear it you cannot unhear it. as they say.
My whole conception of power cables has been turned upside down.....
I know the feeling. I remember long ago I had completed an upgrade cycle and was really happy. I was at the $3K each for component cost… about $4 for speakers. My audio dealer called me so excited I could barely understand him… he said I absolutely had to try these new cables… they were $2K. I could not believe there was a chance these ridiculously expensive interconnects could be worth it… especially in my system.
Darn, the moment I heard them, I was shocked and depressed at the same time. Interconnects costing 2/3 of the component cost. But I had heard the competing components. So, well I ended up with three sets.
For power cords I recommend Audio Quest Hurricane and Cardas Clear Beyond. These are both outstanding, but very different. If your equipment is really dead quiet and very musical and warm… sounding exactly like you want… then the Hurricane… if it needs a nudge toward warmer / musical… then the Cardas.
Typically the difference will be twice as large on the amp as on the preamp and components. But both typically really have a big impact.
If you are able to buy before trying… these cords probably fit in your budget… but, the preferred length is 2 meters… 2 meters will sound better than one. I have tried it. But don’t drop down a tier to get 2 meters… if you can’t afford two meters just get one.
The last Mcintosh pre and power system I listened to and tried to put some different (better) cables on led me to believe Mcintosh gear was rather unyielding to cable changes, and this was with $40,000 speakers. I still have no idea why any difference was hard to notice. Mind you the power cables were not worth 5k, but then more than 1 of them were swapped. Every system is different I suppose.
I recall reading PS Audio stopped making cables, and the only cables I see on PS Audio's website are Audioquest.
signalcable.com makes very good sounding power cables, and they have been around for quite a while. The Magic power cord is not expensive so you'll have to get over that part. :-) P.S. order 1 foot Xtra on each end, these cables are thick and heavy and don't bend well.
I've tried all the cables in the Perfect wave line up and the AC5 was my least favorite due to the top end , I found it to bright. I run 2 AC12's for conditioner and amp with two AC10 for pre and source. I won't be giving them up due to there top to bottom coherence, they both use solid core PCOCC and that alone says enough. look for an used Ac10 and hear what I mean.
I recently had Duncan Taylor of YG Acoustics and the HiFi Podcast build me a 20 amp power cable for my D’Agostino power amp. I was floored by the improvement in almost all aspects of sound. Especially the noise floor. His cables range from $1500-$2500. They are hand made and he is very detail oriented. I’d encourage you to reach out to him.
I would take a serious look at RSA (Rick Schultz Audio) cables here on Audiogon, the man behind High Fidelity Cable Designs.. I think his new line exceeds the old HFC especially in terms of Musicality!
On the used market you should be able to find a variety of the High Fidelity AC cables at very reduced prices. You don't have to pay $5000. Do your research.
One thing I leaned in experimenting with cables is that the cables that sounded best to me in my amps and preamps were not the same that sounded best in my source components.
Im using cables made by Triode Lab for my Triode Lab monoblocks and for my preamp but for my DAC and Streamer, I’m using anticables power, which seem to provide a higher level of noise filtering; but to my ears, colored/resticted the sound on my amps. Maybe if I were using additional power conditioning the results would be different. And I am very happy with the combination now.
Addionally,
Triode Lab recommended as an upgrade to their custom cables, specifically the Cardas Clear Beyond; but that’s for their amp and also out of my price range for now)
I kept a High Fidelity powercord, which is open and a little lean, and a cord that was thick sounding and accented the lows for years to show people powercord differences.
OP, keep in mind you can have too much of a good thing. As I added more of Ricks cables it got, to me, a little edgy in the highs.
By all means try to find HF reveal power cable . I bet they are selling low now? And you will get a taste of that 5k HF pc .The sound that you heard that’s the typical character of HF cables.if I were you I will stay on HF first because that’s what your system like. Hurricane is excellent. I have one.
A Snake River Audio Signature pc is similar in nature to the High Fidelity - perhaps even better. A 30 day trial period is offered. Chat with Jonny, the owner.
A couple years ago I auditioned PS Audio’s top-of-the-line power cables and was extremely disappointed in them considering PS Audio’s extremely positive reputation in other areas of high end audio. First and foremost, buy used so that you can get the most for your money. Now, before settling on the three power cables that get my highest recommendations, I did extensive and exhaustive home auditioning of multiple power cables. My #1 power cable recommendation would be for Audioquest’s Firebird source power cable, which I use on my DAC. The Audioquest Firebird power cable literally transformed and elevated the sound quality of my audio system to all new heights. I also highly recommend the JPS Labs Aluminata power cable. I use an Aluminata on my integrated amp. I believe that the JPS Labs Aluminata power cable is one of high end audio’s best kept secrets. The JPS Labs Aluminata power cable is absolutely superb on my integrated amp. I also highly recommend the Audioquest Hurricane High Current power cable. I tried a Hurricane high current, and a Hurricane source power cable in my system, and really didn’t care for either of them on any of my components. However, I absolutely loved the AQ Hurricane on my AQ Niagara 3000 power conditioner. So, there you have it. The power cables that worked the best in my end-game, off into the sunset, audio system that you should definitely take into consideration. Happy listening.
Thanks for the recommendations everyone. seems there are some things to do some reasearch on thanks.
"Are you familiar with expectation bias?"
I really do not think that is the case here I had no idea what cable he brought with him he just stuck it in when I was in my kitchen making a drink for us, It was quite obvious from the kitchen after he started the first song with the cable installed. For clarity my kitchen and listening room are one room 14"x22" so I was behind the listening position in my kitchen only a few feet behind. I was never a power cable believer, I think my friend was just pushing me into something i didn’t want or believe I needed. His system is worth more than my little house is lol.
I’m a big fan of Virtual Dynamics. I have Master & David series power cords on all components in addition to Master series speaker cables, but that’s where it ends. I had played with full loom and the clarity was fatiguing.
I had a similar experience 20 years ago, when a friend brought over 5 power cords...I knew nothing, had no expectations, almost didn’t want to like them so I wouldn’t have to buy them., but was very impressed by a few of them...I now use Cerious Technologies cords and cables, all 3 three levels depending on system...and yes of course, expectation bias works in both directions...
A person sees two different power cords. His mind automatically thinks they must sound different. No blind test is done. That initial mental bias is so powerful that even if a blind test is done the listener refuses to accept the conclusion that there is no sonic difference! Same thing applies to amps, preamps, DAC’s, streamers ...
Things look different therefore they must sound different. This is the axiom that has taken hold of the audio community. It functions as a form of religion. Just try to change someone’s religious beliefs!
Different Power Cable Types/Designs are able to have an impact on the end sound when added.
Unscreened vs Screened - Dielectric Material Type used - Wire Stranded or Solid -
On the Cables being referenced the Cylinders with Wire Passing Through is a most likely a Ferrite Core. There are today very advanced paramagnetic materials which are much improved over Ferrite, on a Cable of the Value referred to it might be a advanced materials used as the Core.
The Core is in place to function as a low pass filter. Typical use is for power cables to reduce EMI (electromagnetic interference).
Cable Terminations also go a long way on the Function and will be for the better if Solid Copper. Solid Copper used on the Devices Power Inlet IEC will also help.
A Power Cable produced following guidance from the builds shown in the Link will get a lot for less monies that being suggested.
For half your suggested budget there is looking like all the systems devices could have there own bespoke Power Cable Design using Pure Copper Termination on Cables.
I am an advocate of PC Triple C Wire as a Signal Wire, Speaker Wire and Power Cable Wire.
The Link is to a Cable I am familiar with and know it was selected for a selection of systems as a result of trialing and deselecting a range of Power Cables, of which some were considerably more expensive.
A Ferrite Ring of which ever design can be added quite cheaply.
Note: This Cable over recent Months has been as rare as Rocking Horse Poo to find for sale. Maybe that is to the Cables Credit ?
My mental bias if looking at power cords has always been that they must sound the same… I mean it’s just power. I have learned through experience, no matter how counterintuitive it is, they usually sound different.
For those of us that believe in Rick's science - Virtual Dynamics was good, High Fidelity cable better and his new RSA Illumination/Apparitiion the best. Delivers HFC pro quality at a much better price.
Agree that you can find HFC on the market in the range you are speaking to. The Reveals (entry level) are quite a surprise and can give you a lot of his sound
I use a VD Master 3.0 and HFC Reveal in a mix of cables with Kimber Palladian, Sablon Reserve and Tara The One. It's a real puzzle when you start testing locations, yep, spreadsheet time. The VD Master finally ended up on the Ayre Amp, the Palladian on the Ayre Pre, and the Tara on the Ayre DAC/Streamer. The thing is, when you hit the right combinations, game's over. For me, the right configuration added a tiered depth with individual voices and imaging height i had not experienced. The Reveal services the JS-2, and in turn an EtherRegen.
Regarding the used market for VD and HFC, cords do come up from time to time, posting a WTB has worked for me several times.
I could not fault anyone for going with Snake River cables, their reputation is stellar and deserved.
I'd also consider having a top of the line Furutech cable built by VH Audio (I bought the components, and will be building a couple myself): 3 meters top of the line Furutech DPS-4.1 11 Gauge DUCC cable $1,182, 2 Furutech FI-46M NCF Gold Male connectors $384, 2 Furutech FI-46F Gold NCF IEC connectors $384, and VH Audio's termination service for 2 cables $280.
Total cost $2,230 for two 1.5 meter top of the line Furutech cables with their high end NCF connectors
You could build similar high end cables using Neotech, Oyaide, SAEC, RAMM, or Acoustic Revive
I have a whole system of Ricks cables. For my system they have been great. Rick is still making cables, and has greatly improved them. I believe he has three levels. The entry level is below $5000.00, some where between 2 and 3 thousand i think. You should really contact Rick here through Audiogon some times he has sale deals going on. He is very good with working with you. I have not had a bad cable from him ever. His interconnects will improve your system all so. The cables and power cords are amazing.
The best power cable that I had tried in my system is Shunyata Omega which also cost more than 5k $.
But Audioquest hurricane and Shunyata Delta are pretty good for the price which I had kept in my system.
By the way combo of Vera FI Master Class and Snubway plugin filtlers made so much improvement on my system with just 600$, it is advisable for you to try them before tackling power cables.
Mark of Vera offer unconditional return within 30 days.
Here’s an alternative option (and a very good one IMO).
You could sell your monos, avoid buying any new cables, and probably end up with the same money you can buy a pair of AGD Audion MK3. The Audion probably needs no introduction, and they also come with their own cables.
So in a way, you get some world class amp, but you also get 2 new cables, talking about having the cake and eating it too.
This is an addendum to my previous post response to the an earlier power cable discussion. I assemble my own and also have made some for fellow (and two female audiophiles). I've been very pleased with the performance of Furutech power cable components. I've sourced the raw cable, IEC and power plug ends from Douglas Connection (douglasconnection.com). There are other sources but I prefer Douglas as they have a wide variety raw cable and ends to fit just about every need for amps, preamps and other source units. DIY can save you about 50/60% over same quality ready made cables and you can build them to the exact length that you prefer.
Golly, I was wondering the same thing. It goes without saying that between the laundry, watching the children, and cooking in the kitchen they have no time to make power cables. Besides, only men own the tools. Honey, can you fetch me my pipe?
Oops, my bad on the "two female" audiophiles reference as I should have referred to my friends as two "ladies". All kidding aside I've noted several posts addressing various audiophile subjects that included an aside that women are not interested in the audiophile hobby, pastime, passion and in some cases profession. I'm godfather to the 4 kids (all grown adults now) of one the ladies. Her husband enjoys music but she assembles,selects and builds the audio systems. The other lady is a school teacher and musician (guitar, piano, vocals, drums with a small band She handles most of the audio equipment for the band and expanded her love of music to the family home audio-entertainment system. My point here is that to be an "audiophile" is not gender specific, but I suspect many members of this forum are open-minded enough to realize that. Gotta go now as my next shipment of cable components just arrived:) Enjoy the music.
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