Hi,
I have been putting my new basement system together for a couple of years now, and have recently upgraded interconnects and power cable.
My system: PS Audio Direct Stream DAC w Bridge, wired to router >
PS BHK Pre > PS BHK 250 stereo amp > B&W N802's > Stereo Paradigm Studio 15 Subs. Direct line to my PS Audio Power Port Receptacle. Balanced interconnects and Power Cords from Mark Tunis in Florida, all custom made using silver clad wire. they are moderately inexpensive for the quality and were a noticeable improvement over the stock power cords and cheap interconnects. So now that I had settled in with my equipment, I decided to try some 'nicer' interconnects. I first tried to sets of nicer balanced XLR interconnects. AQ Colorado, and Shunyata Black Mamba. I tried these because they were on close out at Music Direct, I could try and return, and they were not stupid expensive.
I loved the Shunyata's, and did not like the AQ Colorado's. The Black Mambas improved EVERYTHING in my system. Bass, imaging, soundstage, resolution and WARMTH. So I sent back the AQ and have the Shunyata Black Mambas and big improvement for a good deal at 300 a pair. To me that is great price to performance. But this is a power cable post.. I also recently got an Inakustik 3500p power conditioner.
New company, again not stupid expensive at around $3000, great reviews... and it improved my system again. But it came with a stock power cable, so..... I talked to Steven at The Cable Company, and he suggested I try a Synergistic Research Atmosphere level 2 (20 amp). I would have never been drawn to this type of name and technology, and perhaps by reading all the negativity about cables in general it is easy to believe it does not matter that much and stupid to upgrade. But all I can say is WOW. Listened last night for hours with my lady, going back and forth with the stock cord and the SR cord from the wall to the 3500p conditioner. Changed nothing else. Again, what an improvement. Heard little tingly things in familiar songs that I had not heard before. Imaging spot on, soundstage wider and deeper. Clearer. Stock cable sounded muffled. Bass and Midrange fuller. Everything. So a 1200 cable? (demo at a big discount) I would have never thought it was worth it. Value to cost? Totally worth it. I guess I have about a $20,000 system
and can think of no other upgrade for this cost that has the bang for the buck. And I plug everything into the 3500p. Just my experience, sorry for long post! Anyone around Balt / Washington want to get together a listen? Ken.
I have been putting my new basement system together for a couple of years now, and have recently upgraded interconnects and power cable.
My system: PS Audio Direct Stream DAC w Bridge, wired to router >
PS BHK Pre > PS BHK 250 stereo amp > B&W N802's > Stereo Paradigm Studio 15 Subs. Direct line to my PS Audio Power Port Receptacle. Balanced interconnects and Power Cords from Mark Tunis in Florida, all custom made using silver clad wire. they are moderately inexpensive for the quality and were a noticeable improvement over the stock power cords and cheap interconnects. So now that I had settled in with my equipment, I decided to try some 'nicer' interconnects. I first tried to sets of nicer balanced XLR interconnects. AQ Colorado, and Shunyata Black Mamba. I tried these because they were on close out at Music Direct, I could try and return, and they were not stupid expensive.
I loved the Shunyata's, and did not like the AQ Colorado's. The Black Mambas improved EVERYTHING in my system. Bass, imaging, soundstage, resolution and WARMTH. So I sent back the AQ and have the Shunyata Black Mambas and big improvement for a good deal at 300 a pair. To me that is great price to performance. But this is a power cable post.. I also recently got an Inakustik 3500p power conditioner.
New company, again not stupid expensive at around $3000, great reviews... and it improved my system again. But it came with a stock power cable, so..... I talked to Steven at The Cable Company, and he suggested I try a Synergistic Research Atmosphere level 2 (20 amp). I would have never been drawn to this type of name and technology, and perhaps by reading all the negativity about cables in general it is easy to believe it does not matter that much and stupid to upgrade. But all I can say is WOW. Listened last night for hours with my lady, going back and forth with the stock cord and the SR cord from the wall to the 3500p conditioner. Changed nothing else. Again, what an improvement. Heard little tingly things in familiar songs that I had not heard before. Imaging spot on, soundstage wider and deeper. Clearer. Stock cable sounded muffled. Bass and Midrange fuller. Everything. So a 1200 cable? (demo at a big discount) I would have never thought it was worth it. Value to cost? Totally worth it. I guess I have about a $20,000 system
and can think of no other upgrade for this cost that has the bang for the buck. And I plug everything into the 3500p. Just my experience, sorry for long post! Anyone around Balt / Washington want to get together a listen? Ken.