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Review: Michael Wolff Source and Gain Cords Power cord

Category: Cables

As you will become quickly aware, I was not an English major. And, I do not often try to articulate my what I hear. However, I have had such a good experience with Michael Wolff's Source and Gain cords that I wanted to share it.

Michael's use of Carbon fascinated me. So, I emailed him to try his Source cords. I should have realized that if a manufacturer offers his product for a trial without charge, the he must be very confident that most will buy it.
He shipped them the same day and set my expectations that they would take a couple of weeks to sound their best. After about 3 1/2 weeks, I was listening one evening and thought to myself that I had deliciously good power. Everything sounded great. The noise floor was low, the music was dynamic, strings and vocals were tonally beautiful. The soudstage had an ambiance all its own. The next evening I still had the great sound. I thought our utility had upgraded some equipment or fixed a problem. So, I packed the Wolff cords up and was ready to ship them back. The next evening I discovered the nothing had changed with my power. It was the Source Cords. I went through a bunch of power cords that I had on hand from a Shunyata Diamondback to a BMI Whale Statement Supreme and none of them gave me the same good sound. So, I bought the two Source Cords.

Michael offered to send me two Gain Cords for mt VAC 70/70. I really didn't want to spend another $1,400 but I thought I would check them out for future reference. I bought them too. Now I have a Gain Cord on my First Sound Preamp - another trial. Interestingly enough, this last cord has made a much larger inprovement than I thought it would. It only has about 30 hours on it. Last night I was listening to the 3rd track on Diana Krall's new CD, Temptation. The piano playing at at the left of the soundstage sounded strong and alive. It used to be rather faint. My soundstage usually recedes form the front of the speakers. Now is is just there - to the front, to the sides, and behind. I don't perceive the front plane anymore. It is really cool.

I would usually have thought that a couple of thousand dollars would best be spent on equipment. However, the Wolff cords that I have now made as much of an improvement in my system as did moving from my old Sony 5 disk DVD changer as a transport to my Accustic Arts Drive I. By the way, Michael is a very nice guy and easy to work with.

Associated gear
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brooksl
scarey's avatar
scarey
4 posts
 
I have just tried the new source cord along with the older model. I honestly did not think there was any room for improvement.
The low level bass response is so accurate i could not believe my ears. I also use the gain on my amplifier. I can tell you no matter what equipment you have it will make them sound 100x better.
My budget system consists of the following.
1. Dynaco pas-4 preamplifier with ge 6dj8's
2. Dynaco cdv-1 cd player with ge 6dj8's
3. Golden tube se-100 octet e34L jj tesla along with 1970s siemens el34 driver tubes. and 1940s 6sl7
4. Symdex Sigma,Omega speaker
5. cables consist of zu cable Gede interconnects and Speaker cables.
For a poor mans audio system it will definately keep up with big boys. Thanks to the Michael Wolffe power cords......
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
I purchased a PC from another highly regarded company, and it arrived yesterday. I sold
it today. Not at all a bad cable. Pretty clear, actually. And in all fairness, it is a fraction of the price, so the comparisons are perhaps unfair. But I am not writing to compare your cable to others. Rather, I am evaluating it on its own merits, and in relation to the goals I have for my audio system.

After a mere four days with your cable in my system, I'm amazed at the width and depth of the soundstage. We have absolutely the worst room for audio, and I've never heard this big of a soundstage from any system. My wife and I have been to many high end dealers, and I'm telling you, NOTHING comes close to the cavernous, lifelike sound that is coming from our system right now.

In order to really test the cable, we played some heavy rock (Tool) on our system, which is oriented more towards the jazz & classical genres. Other than the horns being too bright on the more layered sections, the sound
was perfectly clear, and simply massive. I should specify that we are running a 7W SET amp and Klipsch La Scala's!The bass response was extraordinary. It literally shook the house. What's startling to me is that you said to wait a full month before it really opens up, and we've been playing the cable for all of four days!

The sound is perfectly live, and as a professional
drummer for over a decade, I developed a preference for that type of sound. The tension and dynamics in the vocals, the pocket playing of the bassist, I want to feel it more than hear it. And thanks to your cable, that is happening.

I've never put a lot of stock into high end cables, and maybe it's because I'm rarely wowed by the sound, even when auditioning at the boutique audio dealers. And they are always using pricey cables. But I must say that this cable has done more to have me understand the potential for capturing the energy of the players than any other piece in my system. A superb product!

Howard
skipaulamusic
15 posts
 
I recently purchased a source cord from Michael and must agree it is without question the best sounding cord I have.It is being used on my full Richard Kern Modded sony scd 777es with fantastic results. Although I have many more expensive cords none can match it in detail,smoothness,depth, and musicality. I believe without a doubt it is the premier digital cord.I am looking forward to auditioning a Gain cord soon
springbok10
711 posts
 
I now have Michael Wolff Source cords on CDP and preamp and Michael Wolff gain cords on my amplifiers. I have not done a formal A-B against 4 similar gain cords (my Atma-Spheres need 4 cords) but the combination of all source and gain cords has been a significant enough improvement on the overall dynamic range, mid-range warmth, musicality and soundstage of the sound, that I am now done and will not audition any more pcs. The sound is superb and betters that with various combinations of well-known pc makers. It is now at the point of "satisfying" this audio nut. Michael Wolff makes a great product.
System: Esoteric DV-50; Atma-Sphere MP-1; Atma-Sphere MA 2.2 (mod); Stealth Indra, PAD Dominus i/c; PAD Dominus s/c; Kharma 3.2.
rick000
5 posts
 
I just recieved the new source & gain cord.
I can't believe want a difference it made.The sound stage
is much wider & fuller.I'm done looking for pc's.
It is surly the best cords I've tried!(tried many)
Give it time to break in & you will not believe the improvement it will make.
Just give it a try!
Michael is a real assest to the audio industry.
Thanks alot Michael for a great cord
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