Purist Audio, Elrod or Shunyata power cord?

I have been through quite a few power cords myself. I'm currently happy with Shunyata cords on the front end componants and Elrod on my monoblocks. You don't say what your budget is outside of not wanting a $3000+ cord. If shopping smart and buying used, you could obtain a Shunyata King Cobra or Anaconda Vx for your cd player, a Elrod EPS-2S for your preamp and an Elrod EPS-3S for your amp all for under $2500. I think you would be very happy. That being said, I haven't heard any Purist power cords.

Mbadsc1, obviously others here like the Elrod EPS-3S cords also. They are the best I've heard on amps/preamps/power conditioners. The Shunyata's really have some magic in the digital domain though, and outperform the Elrod's on digital devices, IMHO. I have heard power cords from MIT/Transparent/Tara Labs/Cardas/XLO, etc., and I think a Shunyata would top them all. I personally liked the King Cobra's performance over the Anaconda Vx, but your tastes may vary. I prefer analog to digital. If I must listen to digital, I like tubes in the path and Shunyata power cords, to smooth out the digital glare. When Shunyata's first King Cobra came out, it was very rich, warm and musical. Many loved it, but the critics claimed that it lacked dynamics. So Shunyata came out with the King Cobra V2, which was more dynamic, less lush. Some folks still complained, so they came out with the Anaconda Vx, which is even more dynamic, yet leaner (for a Shunyata). All Shunyata 'noise reduction' series cords rob dynamics to some extent, which is why I don't care for them on my amps. However, they do have some *magic* when used for digital applications.

Generally speaking the King Cobra V1 will provide the warmest, richest, lusher sound. The Anaconda Vx will be more dynamic and quicker. The KC V2 falling somewhere in between these two. All will sound very good when used with the appropriate equipment, and suiting varying musical tastes.

Only you know what you're looking for so only you will ultimately know which cord you prefer. These are just starter tips. If you buy used on AudiogoN and find a certain cord doesn't suit you, you can usually turn around and sell it without much loss. If buying new, you may want to try The Cable Company, and it's lending library.

I hope this was somewhat helpful.
John

Mphnkns, I still have many Shunyata's (Anaconda Vx, King Cobra V2, Cobra's, and Black Mamba), and I find them to be extremely good power cords. Their strengths IMHO are the rich, warm harmonic textures they weave through a black background. They do NOT have the dynamic impact of my Elrod EPS-3 Signatures though. For that matter, I felt that the Virtual Dynamics Nite and Shunyata Taipan power cords were more dynamic than the Shunyata's noise reduction cords. Shunyata even admits as much on their website. That is why they extended their pacesetter line.

Maybe we've had different experiences, or maybe we're just not communicating correctly. The Shunyata's have great bass, thunderous bass, with lean electronics or speakers I may prefer them. The Elrod/VD cords don't offer the quantity of bass, but tighter, better defined bass. In my opinion, the word dynamic is used meaning speed. The KC V2 will blow out your speakers, but that doesn't translate into speed or dynamics. The Elrod can still cause the walls to vibrate, but the attack and decay of the bass notes is quicker, less bass bloat,IMHO. In the end it just depends on your associated equipment and musical tastes. I would descibe the Shunyata cords as sounding like good tube equipment, while the Elrod cords are more like good solid state. Not that the Shunyata's are not dynamic, or the Elrod's are not musical, they just each have their own strength.
Elrod's bass is more like Krell amp, while the Shunyata bass is more like the ASL Hurricanes.

Just my $0.02.

Cheers,
John

Maybe this will help.

Shunyata Power Systems Guide

To improve transient response, pace and dynamics -- substitute a Pacesetter cable for a Noise Reduction cable.

This is the first line in the final paragraph.

Cheers,
John