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Transparent Audio power cords

I have a question for experienced users about certain Transparent cords. The application is on a McCormack Audio DNA-500 amp (w/ the SMC audio Silver Plus upgrade) driving Focal Sopra 2 speakers. The cord in use now is a Transparent Powerlink MM2 (mm2x serial number). This cord was the next step above the Reference in the mm2 generation. The name of the Powerlink MM2 cord was changed to XL for the Gen 5 and Gen 6 products.

I have tried both the Reference Gen 5 and Reference Gen 6 cords on this amp which according to theory, they should sound better than the Powerlink MM2. Both are, in general, respectively, a step up in sound quality as would be expected. However, we now get to my issue, neither of the two Reference cords has enough "meat on the bones" compared to the Powerlink MM2. They are just lighter weight sounding. The likely thought is to try a Gen 5 or Gen 6 XL cord but, the price point for a new Gen 6 XL cord is getting uncomfortable.

So, will an XL cord give me that weight and solidity I'm after or might I want to be looking at another brand to get the sound where I want it to be while trying to rein in the cost.

mwh777

Showing 2 responses by steakster

steakster
1,998 posts
 

My Frankenstereo has several of the original TA Powerlink MM's feeding TA PIMM’s. From one PIMM, a Purist Audio Contego power cord is feeding my Class A SS amp. Theoretically, one would think that those two power cords in series - along with Class A amplification - would provide plenty of heft - meat on the bones. At first, they didn’t. It turns out that other gremlins in streaming chain were causing distortion - thinness - and other issues. After much tweaking upstream before the amp, those same two powers cords are pounding it out like heavyweight champs. YMMV.

Why don’t you post a Virtual System? That would offer more opportunity for relevant feedback. Good luck in your quest.

steakster
1,998 posts
 

OP: Great system! I suspect that it already sounds pretty amazing.

My initial suggestion would be to experiment by removing one (or more) of the Add--Powr resonators. Wait several hours and re-evaluate.

In my experience, the Add-Powr ElectraClear resonator did not play nicely at all with the TA PIMM’s. The HF became unpleasantly fatiguing. Same problem with an Akiko Corelli conditioner. I tried for months to figure out where these tweaks would work best - plugged into different circuits. They never did. For some reason, the TA Power Isolators are particular with whom they play. It came down to which type of conditioner to use - but not both simultaneously.

On the other hand, the PIMM’s loved joining forces with balanced power - such as Balanced Power Technologies. For source components, the two togehter produce excellent SQ in my system. I moved the Add-Powr ElectraClear over to my HT system - which definitely improved the TV picture quality.

My discovery was that different brands and types of power conditioners may or may not play well together. A returnable trial period is a wonderful thing. YMMV

_ _ _ _

P.S. Just copy & paste your latest post, take a few pictures and your Virtual System is pretty much done. It’ll be available for future discussions after this thread fades away.

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