Should I update my manufactures power cords?
I am using a AQ Thunder 2m (20A) power cord from wall to Niagara 5000.
Do I upgrade equipment using manufactures power cords plugged into Niagara 5000? Streamer (HIFI ROSE), McIntosh MC611 mono-amps (2 plugs), McIntosh ref. preamp 12000st +12000C (one plug to preamp), McIntosh MEN220 room equalizer (1 plug).
Please advise which AQ PC's to use and where or manufacture PC will work.
Bob
@farne230 - Take a look at Audio Envy - they are a great place to start. For better performance on amps take a look at Zavfino - a little more pricey but worth it for amps like yours If you want to get some knowledge about cable science, take a read of this thread
Regards - Steve |
I have a pair of 611s and a C2700. I found the most significant gains in my system were from the PC and interconnects connected to my DAC. I am powering my DAC with AQ Dragon and the monoblocks with AQ Hurricane. The C2700 is being fed by an Audience Front Row PC. The Thunder is a good cord, and the Hurricane is probably the sweet spot in their lineup. |
Those amps will benefit from upgraded power cords Also try the amps plugged directly into wall and not into power conditioner. I had AQ Thunder and upgraded to the Hurricane. The improvement was not subtle. However, in the end, I sold the Hurricane cords. They made my system sound a bit too syrupy and dark. Home audition is a must. |
Mfg power cords are Garbage ,no matter how good your line conditioner is Thunder power cords starting with your amp and Dac would be a substantial upgrade .I use at m8nimum like myPowered subs ,Pangea sig mk2 power cords awg 14perfect for a LPS or router, that’s another story any junk wall warts get rid of them a good LPS power supply is a must if you want clean digital . not 1 piece of equipment should even use the junk stock power cords !! |
Yes you should upgrade all equipment power cords from your conditioner to your equipment. Stating the obvious, choose power cords specifically designed for digital equipment or amplification respectively. Brand choice is personal and there are many excellent choices in different price brackets, including the well respected Audioquest line matching the Thunder you have, Shunyata, Nordost, etc. Each has their unique SQ profile. Research professional reviews to guide you, then audition. The Cable Company has a loaner/audition program. Boutique brands offer equivalent or better performance and value. I personally prefer WyWires Platinum Power Cords and they are currently 40% off and a bargain at that price. I use a full loom of WW platinum. Very coherent, detailed, clear and dynamic. Alex (the designer and proprietor) is very helpful. I recommend you audition a few brands. Whatever your choice, moving from the OEM manufacturer’s cords to a better design will lower background noise , thereby improving detail retrieval, image density, soundstage, micro/macro dynamics, and timbre. |
Don’t know your system, but IF your preamp isn’t isolated with HRS grade isolation and you are running at least a Pegasus or better IC from your sources > preamp > amps, then i would ABSOLUTELY do that first. Try the amps to at least hospital grade Hubbel outlets direct to panel vs the AQ conditioning. Then you can muck about w power cables…..
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No don't do that. Send the unit to me and I will upgrade the power supply caps, resistors, etc. which will bow any power cord you an buy away. Not even close. Plus those improvement will work always where if you make changes to your system, that power cord may not have the same impact. Upgrading key parts is always a better option. |
@bigkidz What would something like that cost? I assume doing this would void the warranty? |
Back when I was avid in the Mcintosh forum at Audiokarma there was a fellow who sent out his newish (501’s I think? off the top of my head...) amps off to someone who did this procedure. I actually copied and pasted 2 of his comments over a 6 month period back to him in one of the threads. The first post was a few weeks after he received his amps back from getting "upgraded": "I would definitely do this again" and the next was what he stated about 6 months later when someone asked him about the "upgrade": "I don’t think I would do this again" . |
Yeah when the honeymoon is over you realize you f-ed up and you actually don’t like the change, will never recoup your investment and no one wants your amps because it’s impossible to tell what they sound like compared to original and the warranty is void. I had done this way back when on an amp I really liked in its stock form and learned my lesson. |
Aaudiphine1 - I guess your post is directed at my comment regarding upgrading a component? If so, I invite you and any one to come by our listening room in New Jersey and spend some listening time. We can show anyone what the difference are. Been doing this for over twenty years and BTW we also have our own line of components for you to drool over. Happy Listening. |
@bigkidz I’ll take you up on it some day may be after the holidays. I’ll stop by if it’s not too far of a drive from northeast jersey. |
And you as well @bigkidz |
I conducted a survey a few months ago to formulate a group consensus related to the subject of premium power cords. Here’s a link that provides the specific survey questions, a brief conversation between contributors, as well as a link to the results. This should provide some indication of the group’s adoption of this product category. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/premium-power-cable-survey-the-results-are-in |
The amplifier power cords are going to have more impact than the cord on the streamer in my experience. Do the power cord upgrade on the streamer last. |
Your level system is interesting. You SHOULD NEVER PLUG AN AMP INTO A POWER CONDITIONER despite whatever marking bs is saying! if you want better sound just try plugging the power amp directly into the wall first!!!! power conditioners are just for the front end!!! pre amp DAC and stuff. Even if Audio quest says they have some special, super capacitor and blah blah blah. It’s all marketing.
yes, update all your cables because all your power cables that come from the company cost nothing therefore they are worth nothing because they were free with the thing. kubala sosna for life |
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jafant, admin deleted my post. I assume soix read the post and you know the rest of the story. Admin may delete my post but I'm not going to tolerate condescending comments from individuals on this forum. Interesting form of censorship... I'm tired of all the noise. Have a great holiday and happy new year! |
