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Suggested Power Cable for Streamer

Fellow Audio Fanatics - 

I’m at the stage of fine tuning my system. It’s been roughly three years of investment, trial and error, and pure enjoyment. However, as many of you know, this hobby tends to make us obsessive over the prospect of making “incremental improvements.” 
 

Why? 
 

I think it’s simply because we’ve made adjustments over time that paid off. 
 

MY QUESTION 

I am currently using a NRG “The Five,” which is a heavy gauge power cable from a gentleman up in Canada. Great cable for the price! That said, my sense is it’s a cable designed more for power amp rather than source components like DACs or streamers. 
 

I’m wondering if I could improve the performance of my streamer with another cable more specifically designed for source components? If so, what cable might you recommend?  Your responses are greatly appreciated. 

I’m posting my system below for context. 

  • Innuos Zenith streamer with NRG “the five” cable 
  • Merason DAC1 with a LessLoss power cable 
  • Linear Tube Audio preamp with a cardas clear reflection cable 
  • Conrad Johnson Classic 120 with a Cardas Clear Beyond XL cable
  • Speakers - switch between Dynaudio Heritage Specials and QLN Prestige 3  

Everything is connected to a Puritan 156 with their classic cable. I will soon upgrade to their Ultimate cable which will plug directly into the wall.

 

 

 

128x128bluethinker

Showing 4 responses by audphile1

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,242 posts
 

@bluethinker I use Nordost Heimdall 2 on my Aurender N200 and have had good results with AQ Tornado as well.
But…I think upgrading the cable on your power conditioner will give you a better ROI since it will impact all of the components plugged into it.
When you upgrade to the Ultimate, see if you can either try it first or go used. I ended up not liking it in my system when I tried it on PSM156 - it was a bit too much. Treble glare, sibilance. I sold it.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,242 posts
 

@mclinnguy ​​@bluethinker 

my system never sounded bright except in two instances - 

1. Ultimate on PSM156

2. Shunyata Alpha v2 NR on amp

I used AQ Hurricane on the PSM156 and it was smooth and I liked it better than the Puritan Ultimate. I actually preferred Puritan Classic to Ultimate on PSM156. 
I sold the PSM156 after I ran two dedicated lines - I have all my components plugged into the wall outlets. Yes the PSM156 takes the noise floor down a bit but there’s a reduction in dynamics and extension and the compromise, in my system, to me, wasn’t worth it. I ran my amp at the time, Pass Labs XA30.8 straight to wall. The Puritan tamed the DAC and preamp bit much and I didn’t like the effect. You may have a different result in your system depending on components, power and preferences. Not saying the Puritan is a bad unit, it’s not. 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,242 posts
 

I’ll add…completely forgot…I swapped the connectors on the Puritan Classic for some Furutech and it improved the sound. It’s not the best power cord but it’s not the worst either.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,242 posts
 

 

jhnnrrs

72 posts

 

@anotherbob Sorry, mate, but I do not believe there was ANY objective change in the sound.  Subjectively...well, the brain can be a trickster, can't it.
 

by far my favorite part of cable discussions. I guess on food forums there are also people who try to convince you that the difference you’ve tasted between a kobe beef steak and a USDA Choice one is also your brain tricking you. Beef is beef right?

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