Took delivery of the used Synergistic Research Power UEF S Power Cell. As mentioned, it comes bundled with the Atmosphere Level 3 power cord. I started out looking at some entry level Master Couplers and ended up getting this rig. I spent a bit more than I anticipated or wanted to, but I don't regret it.
I still have all the stock cords on all my components. The only upgrade is the new power supply and it's power cord. The transformation is significant, particular in the lower octaves! I didn't know it could be so full and rich with sound! |
Update:
I'm planning to trade in my Isotek evo3 power conditioner for a used Synergistic Research
PowerCell 12 S. It come with an Atmosphere Level 3 power cord. Hopefully, this will be my "forever" power conditioner and cord. It arrives tomorrow for a 30 day trial.
From what I've read and been told, it will be a substantial upgrade. I certainly hope so! I'll report back.
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I've immersed my self with reading and learning about power cords and talking with folks at SR and The Cable Company. And of course, thanks to all the help from members here! Cheers to you all!
For now I need to step back to let things settle in before I pull any triggers. This process started with the consideration of purchasing used SR Power Couplers for $200. As usual, things have changed. At this point, I'm going to take advantage of The Cable Stores borrowing programs. It was suggested by the rep at SR to borrow a power conditioner from them (it comes with the Atmosphere Level 2 Power Cord) and experiment with the three components; the Atmosphere power cord with existing components, and the SR conditioner/Atmospher PC and discover their impact on the system. (I think I've read this basic suggestion here on the forum a hundred times! I may be slow, but I ain't stupid! HA!). In addition, The Cable Company will take my IsoTek conditioner in on trade (I'm waiting on the trade value from them). Options are good to have.
So it's going to cost me $150 in rental fee plus shipping and handling to demo the equipment for approximately 7 days! If I decide to purchase it or something else from them, they will apply that $150 to the purchase price to that item. Maybe I'll demo a number of cords! Worst case scenario: If i do nothing, it'll cost me $150 to have the opportunity to hear for myself what these pieces of equipment can do for my system, thus allowing me make an informed decision. That's worth every penny when dealing with this kind of money.
Cheers and again, thanks for listening!
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I think I have a handle on the difference of the levels of power cords. If ya read enough, it eventually sinks in.
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Ok... just read what tuning bullets are and do!
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Millercarbon... I was mistaken about the tesla. I listed the wrong one from the website. There is a Tesla with 15 amp IEC.
Ok, I’m planning on calling Ted tomorrow but figured I’d ask the following question if anyone cares to engage. As I look around, I see some differences in power cords that I don’t understand, and I’m not having much luck finding a lot if any info on the topic.
A. Starting with basic high end power cords, they don’t have an MPC. Just all cord.
B. Some older cords, relatively speaking, have an MPC and tuning bullets.
C. Some of the newer cords don’t have an MPC but refer to: Active / UEF Shielding with built in power supplies, no MPC’s and no additional wires.
Questions:1. What is an MPC and what does it do for a power cord? Just the basics are good for me, I probably wouldn’t understand an engineers explanation! No offense.
2. What are tuning bullets and how are they integrated into the system. Do you actually turn them as you would a treble knob (feel free to giggle)? Or are they simply inserted into the circuit.
3. Is there an advantage of having an MPC, i.e., modding it?
4. Is there something that can C do that B can’t or is it simply a convenience not having extra components, such as an MPC as part of the power cord.
Ha! Typical. I started looking at 200 used cords, now I’m looking at $1,500 cords. Jeez
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Very insightful, thanks for taking the time!
I just noticed the Tesla has a 20 amp IEC. Probably not an option for my application.
I shall continue this quest and further educate myself. Probably more questions to come at some point. Cheers!
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Used I would lean towards the Tesla, especially because I know how easy it is to have the Active modded, either DIY or Michael Spallone, and how much improvement that will be.
Element Tungsten would be a good choice if you care a lot about midrange and want it as beautifully detailed and yet smooth and deep as can be. CTS is better- Copper improves the bass, Silver the top end- but Tungsten is awesome with midrange.
In terms of new the Atmosphere line is awesome. My Atmosphere Level III interconnect opened things up to a whole new level. I've heard a lot of Ted's stuff over the years. Nothing negative about the rest but nobody his record over the years is such that you cannot go wrong. There's little details like MPC mods but aside from that you can pretty safely assume that the more you pay the better you get- which is not at all true across the industry.
Where I think it gets hard is allocating resources. Alive is a lot better than Blue. No question. But $350 better? That would buy you two Orange Fuses. Which an Orange Fuse at $160 is way better than most $500 power cords.
That's about it for me. Last thought would be, just call Ted. The guy loves this stuff and fully believes in my style of bringing everything up to around the same level. Call and tell him what you have, your plans, your preferences, let him help you out. Maybe not so much if you want to go used. Although maybe even then. From what I have heard he is the kind of guy if he thinks a Tesla or other used cable is the way to go he will let you know. But for sure if you will be buying new.
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Miller, changes I heard with PC's were a little blacker background, increased dynamics. I've gotten much more sonic change with ICs and speaker cables. And I know you're a guy who is a serious tweaker....more power to you. That's what makes this hobby fun, the way you can constantly fiddle around with your setup
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Wow. So you pay big money for stuff that does nothing for you, and then advise others to do that too. Amazing! Well at least you're honest about it!
In practice of course simply finding these takes a while, meaning plenty of time to try them as they come in one at a time. The first one would usually have the biggest effect from the wall to the conditioner, because then everything downstream gets the benefit. Then usually the last place or least effect will be on the subs, because power cords are all about timing and resolution and there just isn't all that much of those at the bottom end.
What you should do OP is keep a look out for SR power cords in general. The Master Coupler, while it is kind of the industry gold standard for having been around for 30 years and yet good enough to still be better than a lot of more expensive ones even after all that time, while that is true it still nevertheless is the bottom entry level from Synergistic. Everything they've made since is better, a lot of it so much better you wouldn't believe. Because of this, if you see anything SR and you can afford it, go for it.
Power cords are just like everything else- the better they are the better the sound. Which is all that matters. If you can't hear the difference, if it doesn't sound better, why bother?
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Malatu, I have an amp similar to yours. Personally, I would buy one master coupler and plug it in to your wall outlet and distribution box. Hear something? Hear something you like? Add the next power cord to the amp....repeat the process. BTW, I've never been able to hear much in the way of change from adding a power cord although I employ them on all my gear. Your ears will be different and the decision maker. |
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I love this forum! Thanks!
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I would buy two or three and try them on different components first to give you an idea where they would do the most good.Plug the Rels into your conditioner and crank it up.Then you'll hear if they run out of steam.They only draw a lot of power for seconds at a time.
I like to mix brands rather than stick with a full loom,just my personal preference.Others like to keep with one brand.Good luck to you!
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1. No. Not at all. Given the level of your associated components the Master Coupler is entry level. Full disclosure, I reject the notion of there being any such thing as overkill. You could put a $10k SR cord in there and be blown away. So even that would not be overkill. It would be a misallocation of resources, which is not at all the same.
2. No its a sieve. Bucket without a bottom. Red herring. McGuffin.
3. Yes and it should be. You want everything on one circuit as a general rule to prevent ground loop hum and keep noise levels down. |
