What was the first power cable that you noticed a difference in the sound?

Have to say that it wasn’t even an expensive cable that made a notable difference in my system. The first one wasn’t exactly an improvement, which was a Pangea MkII. But it still wasn’t one very much more expensive after that one that made a serous improvement, either.

For me, just a well made aftermarket cord with decently fat gauge, quality shielding and that is well terminated. But to that, nothing made as big a difference after some better “cheap” cords than introducing a Chang Lightspeed power bar. Better yet, separating digital front end with a separate power bar from the one used for the preamp and power amp.

Run Jim run as fast as you can. Just drop the cords and run. This goes on forever and ever and ever. That’s what they want you to do. It never ends, unfortunately it looks like you got taken for a ride. Don’t feel bad it’s happened to all of us at least once

Shunyata NR power cords. Alpha on amp. Delta on Line stage. Venom 10 on SACD player and phono amp. They really do reduce noise so you can hear deeper, wider and taller. 

I started with a bunch of DIY Supra Lorad 2.5 SPC and Belden 19364. The differences they made over stock cords were obvious.

The Supra cleaned up the sound and brought more detail. The Belden energized the music and increased bass quantity, though at the expense of increased noise floor. 

I have since upgraded my cords to assortment of brands that cost average $800-1000 each. There is a marked improvement in sound quality in cords priced around that range compared to those below $500. From that price range to mega bucks ones like Ansuz's and Synergistic's higher ends, negligible. I know, I exhaustively home auditioned plenty of branded cords and where not possible, I did AB comparison of cords in showrooms. Without these higher end cords, my setup had substantially smaller soundstage and less slam. Upgrading fuses in both my integrated and DAC brought also significant improvement in clarity; I use Hi-fi Tuning ones.

These are what I have currently in my setup: 

Mains: Nanotec Power Strada 309 (with Furutech FI-50 NCF)
Amp: SoundString Gen 2 SE High Current
DAC: Divini Audio PT-Z 7N
Sub: Real Cable Citrine
Desktop streamer: Nanotec Power Strada 308 (with Furutech FI-50)
Desktop mains: Synergistic Research Foundation High Current

 

The only under $500 power cables that I found a noticeable improvement from are Audio Art Cable power1 Classic, and power1 e Croy. Had tried Signal Cable, PS Audio, and a few others that were no better than the stock equipment cords.

@jacobsdad2000 

Out of curiosity, what is their Entropic process?

Thanks.

@curiousjim In your price range the LessLoss Cmark Prime is $485.00 and was a marked improvement over my Zavfino Majestic Mk III cables that are on sale for $450.00. I also prefer the LessLoss as they are flexible. I upgrade to the Classic entropic for my DAC. 

Anyone used Audio Art Cables? 
Thanks.

@curiousjim  Used ones  go for about 700 to 800. Don't know what they are new.

@carlsbad2 

I’m using a Hegel H390 integrated amp and am currently using the Pangea AC9 SE MKll.  Paid $300 for the 1.5 meter cord.  It’s a beast of a cord and I want to replace it mostly because the IEC connector is a loose fit in the Hegel and with it being so thick, it’s not very flexible.  Having said that, I might hear a cleaner top end using the Pangea, or I might be talking myself into hearing something, so that is why I asked the question.

@curiousjim Bought the A/C Master coupler round 97 for less than $400 If memory serves.

@evank @jacobsdad2000 

I went to the Less Loss website and I didn’t see prices.  Can you give me an idea of the cost of their 1 to 1 1/2 meter PC’s?

Thanks.

I heard it immediately, as did a non audiophile music loving friend...and I didn’t want to like them, as I preferred not to purchase them...currently using Cerious Lumniscate in main system, and Cerious GE, Audience F3 and a low end Transparent Audio in various systems....using the old Tekline still in home theater...I sold the A/C Master 10 years after I bought it, for same price I paid...

Going from supplied cables to a BLE Design (on Ebay from Florida) 10 gauge OFC with rhodium plated contacts yielded darker background and a slightly more neutral color. $35. Using them on phono, pre, and subs. I’m good.

I'll have to go with Lessloss. Made be a believer.

@jl35 

Could you hear differences immediately when you plugged them in?  What are you using now?

Are you talking about the Audience F3’s?  I bought one for $300 when they first came out and ended up buying two more for $300 total about a year later.

@swede58 

I can’t find the A/C Master Coupler on SR’s website.  When did it come out and what was the price then?

Thanks!

For me it was Shunyata power cords.  75% of both my systems are wired with Shunyata interconnects.

LessLoss Classic Entropic. 

Synergistic A/C Master coupler, long long ago....then Tekline, then Cerious Technologies...I also use the lower cost Transparent and Audience in secondary systems...found all worthwhile, and used power cords hold their value extremely well

@curiousjim I can think of only 3 possibilities.  

1.  your amp has a power supply that stores power for dynamics and bass in capacitors, chokes or other passive devices so tthat a large power cord isn't needed.  this is most likely.

2.  you're listening isn't good.  Not likely.  You're a veteran.

3.  your system sucks so bad it doesn't help  also extremely unlikely.

If you have a power problem with your amp, it will be immediately obvious when you install a $30 10awg power cable from ebay.

Now other components, such as DACs and streamers, have such minor power needs that it isn't unusual for a power cord upgrade not to change anything.

Jerry

I acquired two Zu Mother power cords for my Shanling EL34 based monoblocks years ago and the improvement over the original factory cords was audible. I have never forgiven Zu… 🤣

For me it was a Cerious Technology cord one of the early ones I forget the exact model.

Synergistic Research A/C Master Coupler. Still have it on my Diablo 300.

I heard a difference with Shunyata Venom 10 NR - I acquired it for $350 as a demo.  I was 'lent' it to see if I noticed and appreciated the difference - it did and for me it was worth the price.