Upgrading DC Cables for Linear Power Supply

I'm interested in cables that are of reasonable quality above the supplied cables, but not atmospheric in price.

Easy: https://www.ghentaudio.com/part/list-dc.html

Thanks for the link. Have been wondering where to get a higher quality cable.

I have had various Ghent DC cables over the years. They always impress me. High quality, good workmanship, at reasonable prices. Shipping from China is surprisingly fast too

That is exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for. 

Two cables for modem and wifi router.

Three cables for M2Tech Hiface Evo 2/Clock/Supply.

And some future upgrades to come as well.

Purchases from China sometimes unsure what I'm getting.

China, yes, I was skeptical too a few years back. With Ghent, you have nothing to worry. I can vouch 100%

How do you know if your pin 1 or pin 2 is positive?

I’ve seen it mentioned in user manuals for a device. But many Chinese products don’t have proper manuals. One time I sent an email to a Hong Kong company and they told me.

I've also seen it in the product description online.

I have used this below from LPS to Liberty DAC.   There's also a place in England MCRU (Mains Cables R Us), really, that makes them, not too expensive.  Audio Sensibility are very good, bit more expensive, Steven is knowledgable and a good guy to work with

Have bought one DC cable from Ghent Audio for my network switch. Waiting for that to arrive.

Ordering another for M2Tech HiFace Evo supply.

I know this is an older thread, but I am seeking guidance from folks who have compared 'Upgraded' DC Power cables with the factory offerings.  Specifically, I just installed the Limited Edition Teddy Pardo LPS for my Bluesound Node N130, and I am VERY PLEASED with the result- highly recommended.

I had it in my mind that perhaps an alternate DC Power cable from Ghent Audio might improve it a tiny bit further, but I don't see much of anything posted on any forum to encourage me.  To those who have tried it, please offer your thoughts, and also advise if your alternate DC Power cable for your Teddy Pardo LPS is shielded or unshielded.  I have seen mixed recommendations on that.  I appreciate any experience.  Thanks.

@rtilden I made dc cables using Mundorf silver/gold hook up wire with Oyaide DC plugs, I was pleasantly surprised by the improvement over the Uptone (not the upgraded Uptone) DC cables previously used. Using these on JCAT Netcard XE and Sonore OpticalRendu powered via Uptone JS2 lps. I'd estimate DC cables as important as the AC cable one is using on LPS. I also plug all streaming equipment LPS into my BPT 3.5 Sig balanced power conditioner. I've found it important to optimize the entire power chain with all streaming equipment, dc cables can be a weak link.

Thanks for your reply, SNS.  These short DC cables are cheap enough, I will give them a try.  FYI:  I am using the Node N130 as a streamer only, to my Weiss 501 DAC.  Really quite good, IMO.  Let me ask another question:

I thought I would try adding Herbie's Audio Labs Baby Booties under the Node, and also adding some Tenderfoot isolators under the LPS.  I really don't think I'm getting much in the way of induced vibration, but these are also pretty cheap.  Any thoughts about using these or other isolators under streamer and LPS?  Thanks.

I use a variety of isolation devices to get the exact voicing I'm looking for, I keep an excess of devices, never know when I'll need a particular device. On cheap side I like the spring devices you see on ebay, you can remove or add springs as needed, I've also used the Herbies devices. Actually using a Herbies puck under one of my streamers, spring devices under my other streamer, also use the Isoacoustics Gaia under some equipment, ball bearing devices, either ceramic or stainless steel balls, Stillpoints at the higher price level. Material used under these devices also critical to voicing. You have to experiment in order to determine best device, generally softer materials soften the sound, harder material more precise 

Thanks again, SNS.  I appreciate your help.

I found the supplied cable from Teddy Pardo to be good.

Bought a MiniTeddy to power a Project Stream Box S2 Ultra.

I use Black Ravioli Big Pads under my streamer and LPS.

Have Stack Audio Auva EQ under my Puritan purifier and network switch.

Looking to upgrade the BR Pads to their BR+

Depending on what the DC cable powers the absolute best DC cables are made by Revelation Audio Labs. I use one between my HD Plex LPS and Legacy Wavelet II.

I used Revelation silver dc cables in another setup some years ago, they are nice but I'd never claim anything in audio is the 'absolute best'.

Thanks Jerry & Thompson.  This is a bit cartoonish to me, as my Node was about $450, as I recall.  Now, with the Teddy Pardo LPS and Triode Wire Labs power cable, I am waaaay upside down on this thing.  It really doesn't bother me too much, but it's funny.  I did order the Ghent DC power cable for about a hundred bucks.  And now considering these isolators, I'll be spending another small chunk. 

But I have to say I'm really happy with this direction, and it allows me to keep the Node, which has been my focus.  That little thing has been so good and so reliable, I don't feel the need to change it out for an expensive streamer.  Thanks again. 

I've been researching and thinking about your comments re: isolation in my system (after 40 years- ha!).  Based on your experiences, can you tell me if this is a good path for starters?  I am thinking tiny, microphonic vibrations might better be handled by Black Ravioli Pads, and larger ones by Auva EQ.  Is that good reasoning, or is this whole thing a crapshoot of trial and error?  Here goes:

Node N130 (light and plastic body).  Sits on sturdy steel equipment stand, with sturdy wooden shelves on Granite Floor.  Node's flat base area is only 3"x4"-  Try (4) BR Small Pads very close together under Node's flat base area in center.

Teddy Pardo LPS for Node (next to Node)-  Try (4) Black Ravioli Big Pad Plus 

Weiss 501 DAC.  This sits in a wooden studio equipment rack on coasters, on a shelf thinner and less sturdy than eqpt above.  I suspect more vibration here. - Try (4) Stack AUVA EQ  isolators. 

Tyler Woodmere Speakers (200 lbs each)- Try Large Stack AUVA speaker isolators

With this mix, I should be able to swap BR Pads and AUVA EQ between equipment to determine best scenario.  Then I need to think about Preamp, Amp and Phono Preamp.  Please let me know if you like this approach, or if you might offer a better one.  Thanks!

@rtilden If you're speaking to me I'm loathe to give advice on specific isolation needs. As mentioned previously I've experimented with a wide variety of isolation devices over the decades, I've chosen specific devices based on the exact voicing I'm looking for, my needs may change over time which is why I keep a wide variety on hand. 

General advice, the lps for digital equipment isn't that important in the whole scheme of things. Dac is important, sounds like you could use some improvement here, should sit on something more substantial and then add the footers. Most around here seem to use the Townshend or Isoacoustics Gaia's under speakers, don't know about the Stacks with those spikes, people seem to prefer isolation from floor vs coupling to floor. Best isolation for me with turntables, tube preamps, amps has been Stillpoints. My entire system sits on a 2" concrete slab on suspended floor which has been supported with multiple floor jacks, no tall equipment racks, everything on custom sand boxes, top plates use steel, various thicknesses of aluminum with custom vibration sinks or various woods, which top plate chosen depends on voicing I'm looking for. Then all the various footer combined with various top plates in order to attain voicing I'm after. So now you see why its difficult for me to give specific advice.  Experimentation is the only way you'll find what works for you, sounds like you have a good plan thus far.

Thanks for the response, SNS.  Yes, I was asking you and Jerry, as you have been gracious with your advice.  And I appreciate your explanation of all the variables in your system/room.  I was drawn to the Black Ravioli and Stack AUVA products due to the numerous positive reviews.  Just FYI, those AUVA speaker isolators are available with felt pads instead of spikes, which I would need for my polished granite floor.  

I'm travelling for the month of July, but I think I'll start my experimentation when I return.  If I learn anything exciting, I'll share with this group.  Thanks again, from Winter Park, FL.

I was a sceptic with isolation, at this price. Had tried Vibrapods and sorbothane to little or no discernible effect.

When I got BR Big Pads under my Perreaux amp. Wow, is all I can say.

I would suggest BR Big Pads for your streamer. With my amp, a noticeable step up going from pads to Big Pads.

Big Pads+ for your Dac.

Perhaps the smaller BR Pads for LPS and router. Try an LPS for your router? at some stage as well is a possibility. I ended up with a used FiiO PL50 to good effect (although will swap that with a now redundant Plixir Elite LPS). I've been snapping up used SR Orange fuses for my LPS. A contentious issue, but I see/hear benefit.

I originally bought the Stack Audio Auva 70 under my stands and ATC speakers. They were better than the Isoacoustic Gaia I had.

Many thanks, Jerry, for the specific tips.  I think I will need a variety of BR and  AUVA EQ to swap around for a proper evaluation.  My amplifier's legs sit higher than the thickness of the BR Big Pads+, which I suppose means I will need to stack BR pads or just try an AUVA EQ under the amp. 

Tell me what you think about my internet setup:  I have Spectrum Coax coming into the house and leading to an ARRIS Modem.  Directly adjacent to the Modem is an ASUS Wireless Mesh Router, connected via standard Ethernet cable.  My house is from 1964 and has thick plaster walls as well as a CMU wall, yet I stream wirelessly from that Mesh Router to 2 other Mesh Nodes, one of which carries the wireless signal to my Bluesound Node N130.  This wireless setup solves a couple significant problems for me, and it sounds really good.  Considering this setup, do you still think I should consider an LPS for my router?  How about for the Modem too?  And probably a high-end Ethernet cable to connect them as well?  I thought I had read that since I was wirelessly streaming, I didn't need those upgrades, but I value your opinion here.  Thanks again for responding.  

I subscribe to the notion that small upgrades/improvements are cumulative.

In my situation I stream wirelessly to a wifi extender, then run an Ethernet cable to my switch/streamer. Recent purchase being an LHY AS6 switch before my streamer with SR purple fuse (replacing an Uptone EtherRegen). Old house, and haven’t yet got the Ethernet cable (Blue Jeans) installed under the house. You could try an Ethernet cable from your mesh to your streamer? A possibility?

Have some guys over on The Audio Standard using a Xangsane pure silver Cat8 ethernet cable. Reasonably priced on Aliexpress, and decent result. Worth a try perhaps? Plenty of choice there.

Had to check my internet cupboard.

Have the FiiO on the modem, and Plixir Elite on the router.

The FiiO used was around NZ$100, while the Plixir was $900?

Before that I had a dual 12v LPS from China, and tried a couple of Teradak LPS. They all ran too hot for an enclosed space.

Thanks, Jerry.  My wireless setup is a bit different than yours, but I understand your points re: separate LPS units and cumulative gains.  I will continue down the road you and SNS have helped clarify and see where it takes me.  I'm travelling soon, until mid-August.  Hopefully, soon after my return, I'll have some results to share.  Thanks again to you and SNS.

Just saying though @rtilden 

My system has been cobbled together. Certainly not top end, although very happy with the Antipodes K21 and Innuos Phoenix USB. Other than the amp, all have been purchased in the last four years. Plenty of reading, discussion and thought before ordering them. Many items from overseas.

Best advice I've had is from theaudiostandard.net but some from here as well.

Like SNS, I am wary giving advice. However, these are what I have added, and I'm extremely happy with the result.