2. cables
  3. 188647-178394

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 3 responses by bluethinker

bluethinker's avatar
bluethinker OP
95 posts
 

@lwin - Thanks, Iwin. Having spent a good chunk of my life in the Bay Area, I've been curious about VooDoo cables since getting into the hobby. Thanks for the recommendation! 

Btw - do you have any personal experience with those cables? 

bluethinker's avatar
bluethinker OP
95 posts
 

@audphile1 - Thanks for Nordost recommendation. I'll look into that cable. Regarding the Ultimate cable, I've heard some folks say that their systems got a little bright. If there is one thing I want to avoid, it's brightness/treble glare. My wife will ask me to turn the music down so I won't hear anything... Any other suggestions on cables to power the Puritan? 

@ghdprentice - I'll look into that Transparent cable. Do you think AudioQuest Thunder is far enough up their product hierarchy? 

Trying a variety of cables would make the most sense. Agreed. 

@timothy_m - Which VooDoo cable do you use on your front end components? Did you perceive a difference from something you'd used beforehand? 

@benzman - thanks for recommendation. ​​@audphile1 mentioned the Ultimate got a little tilted towards treble. Your experience with the Ultimate was more positive it sounds? 

@jhnnrrs - Well, "the Five" isn't actually an expensive cable... It's an economy-oriented cable... It sounds like you are skeptical around the effectiveness of different cables for equipment? If not, what is your best guidance for cable selection, etc? I'm new to this and still learning. 

@audioman58 - Thanks for the advice! 

@painter24 - Are you feeding the Puritan with "the Five?" Happy with the results. 

 

 

bluethinker's avatar
bluethinker OP
95 posts
 

All - Really appreciate all the input. 

From my end, for the record, I've come to believe some details - even the power cables - do make a difference.

Have I deluded myself? I guess it is possible... It's important to be self-aware on your foibles and, I guess in this case, fetishes... 

But I tend to think otherwise. Case in point: I've read many disparage devices such as the Puritan 156. For me, adding Puritan devices made a substantial impact on quality of music in each system I'd added it to... 

Different power cables are built differently. I suspect there is a reason they'll synergize differently with audio equipment. That said, I appreciate everyone reminding me to be wise with my money. It certainly doesn't grow on trees, does it? 

With that, I've got to go get ready for work... so I can spend my money on those things that intrigue and delight me.

"Life's a dream punctuated by nightmares" - Henry Miller 

 

More to discover