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Nordost Vishnu or Shunyata Copperhead Power Cord

Hi Fellow Music Lovers, I've come to a crossroad and could certainly use some assistance on this one. I'm looking to hopefully upgrade a sole power cord that is rotated seasonally between an Audiomat Arpege Reference 10 ( EL34 based ) and Sonneteer Campion ( Solid State based ) Integrated Amps, I've been using an Acoustic Zen Tsunami Plus with either based upon recommendations both here and on Audioasylum since '09 and as much as I adore the things it does through both amps, I'm looking for a little bit more bass definition along with added nimbleness of bass notes in themself. My dealer friend at the cable company has recommended using a JPS Labs Power A.C.+ as he feels this would add bass as well as feeling in that lost sense of speed. However after speaking with several other friends whom use either Shunyata or Nordost Power Cords and raving about them over and over again, I'm forced to come to all of you as a means of getting to the truth of the matter!, what's what with either of these?. Would one sound more refined and/or natural in a sense of allowing the music to shine through without added attention to a lost in overall purity?, or should I simply bite the bullet and settle on the JPS Labs and be done with it?. So dig down deep and share your opinions on both of these on my behalf as I would prefer to buy one or the other but don't know which direction would in fact prove worthwhile. Thanks in advance to those of you whom are willing to share your expeirence with either, and do enjoy the upcoming Holiday and above all a much better New Year to us all. Regards, Oscar
el34eh
el34eh OP
56 posts
 
Thorman, I wish to thank you for at least offering an honest opinion and I shall weigh that option in selecting either. Peace, Oscar
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kennyb
117 posts
 
A Vishnu loom improved bass in my system by adding weight, refinement and speed. I've never tried Shunyata though.

Vishnu's strengths really come out when used with other Nordost power cords (they call this a loom). Shunyata also recommends using all the same brand for best results. So I think you might be better off sticking with the same brand that you use elsewhere - assuming of course that you have been sticking with just one brand.
el34eh OP
56 posts
 
Hi Kennyb, Thanks for responding. I've merely ordered both power cords four days ago. I'm aware of the importance of the cabling loom as I'm a firm believer in what Roy Gregory of HiFi + has been talking about for over 8 years now. Yet I've been told in some cases it's okay to alter the loom if one power cord from a certain company is better at producing bass whereas some aren't!, Synergy is a means of canceling out the negatives or weaknesses in ones system which enhancing or building on its strengths - and I'm a believer in the basic concept of purity of notes for the sake of musicality. Yet in the same breath I just can't justify spending $1.800 on any bodies power cord!, now maybe between $700 - $1.000 is where I'd tap out. Thanks again, Oscar
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kennyb
117 posts
 
What improved bass more than anything in my system was swapping the Nordost Vishnu used at the wall with a single Nordost Brahma.  The first power cord really sets the tone for what will follow.  But, I imagine this might not be as effective when not using cords from the same manufacturer.

Mixing and matching may give you a short term gain.  But where do you go from there?  Another benefit of using cords from the same manufacturer is you gain a predictable upgrade path.  I have a half dozen friends who started with Nordost Magus and moved on from there.  There has been tremendous consistency in our findings as we've upgraded.  

When I added the Brahma to my Vishnu loom as described above, my results *exactly* matched the results a friend got when he did this same thing.  And I know exactly what to expect when I add a Valhalla power cord at some future point.  (That's my next move actually.   I will use a singe Valhalla at the wall.  This will then be followed by a Brahma used between my QX4 and QB8.  Then Vishnu cords will run from the QB8 to all my components.)

Lastly, I should mention that prior to using Nordost power cords, I used a mix of Lessloss, ESP, and PS Audio cords.  Those cords retailed for between $600 and $750 each.  A complete loom of the $180 Magus humiliated the mix of much more expensive cords.  Magus was a huge upgrade and confirmed for me that the loom theory is correct.

Ken
el34eh OP
56 posts
 
Hi Ken, I'm sorry to have missed your last response, I've just been out doing last second shopping with the wife. Yet I've taken your recommendation for the Brahma into account and shall in fact pursue one after the Holidays. I see that you're also a believer of Roy Gregory's Concept of Building a Foundation - which starts at the AC Outlet and works upwards from that point ending with the final interconnect or phono-cable as a means to voice ones system according to taste. Yet there're time when one can make one exception to the cabling loom theory and that's with a different favor in regards to that lone power cord on occasion - there're cases where certain cords produce slightly better performance then one it might've replaced. I'm not much into mixing cables either, yet there have been times where one has to address the strengths and weaknesses of ones system without feeling the need to trash it and start anew. Hence the logic that so many so-called music lovers find themselves replacing this or that comonents every other month or so, due to their lack of knowing the proper means of voicing it. Hence the term Synergy which goes hand in hand with tweaking in my mind. As someone whom uses and believes in devices like Shun Mook and Yamamoto Sound Craft Ebony Isolation Devices along with ASI Resonators and Sugar Cubes within my system and/or room. I understand to some it might be weird science and all, but how does the old addage go - hearing is beliving. Once again Thanks for sharing your insight, I know what has to be done. Regards, Oscar
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