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Power Cords Rule

Just finished another DIY power cable using Ohno Continuous Cast copper. This is the third cable added in the past two months, the first two for my ARC mono blocks, this latest for my Wadia 861SE CDP, now over ten years old. I am trying to wring every bit of performance from this player, modified by GNSC. This new cable has lifted that old player to a new plateau of sound stage and clarity; there's just more information in the music not previously heard. All of these cables have first replaced Transparent Reference AC cables, and, after those, three other DIY cables containing OCC copper but with a PVC dielectric not well-suited for AC cables, but vastly superior to the Transparents, circa 2002. My newest versions have polypropylene dielectric over a combined 8 AWG OCC copper, mated to Furutech rhodium plugs. All together, these AC cables have improved my system as much as upgrading the front end would have, IMO, and that would also require a pre-amp in going away from Wadia. And so, my fellow audiophiles, this is where it's at--get that clean power and those great power cables--make 'em yourself--all else depends more on that source of pure power than your other cables can achieve, good as they have to be, as well. Every piece of your system will improve with a purer current--any way you can get it.
128x128jafreeman
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
Yeah i've found in my system attention to AC power really pays off. In the last 6 months i've added a Furutech GTX-D(G)wpo, Gigawatt PC-3 SE Evo power conditioner & plan on upgrading my 3 main Jorma Prime pc's with cryo'd Oyaide M1/F1 connectors which should take those cables to the next level. So I can relate to wriging every last bit of performance out of your front end. Each part in the chain plays an important part in achieving a clean, stable power supply with excellent impulse response.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
It might seem to be a bit of a troll but I have eliminated all of my power cords (I'm using portable battery powered players) and the sound quality is much better in every way. I'm out there and loving it, Jerry!
lacee
811 posts
 
I like the concept of battery power.I enjoyed my time with a Sutherland PHD,and at one time toyed with the idea of using gear from Vinnie Rossi and get off the grid.

But I'd already invested too much time and money on dedicated lines, upscale power cords and conditioners.And I finally got the Acoustats with the servo amps, so I am tied into the grid.But no regrets.I enjoy my system.

For someone just getting into the hobby or looking to upgrade from a modest set up, I think it would be well worth looking into.

But,nothing is perfect.
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
You have to eliminate AC noise at some point, no matter how good your cables are....I have not found better solutions than those offered by Transparent and MIT. Perhaps a well designed PC combined with a power conditioning system would yield good results? I use the Transparent PLMM2 and MIT Oracle AC2 into a Transparent PowerIsolater Duo with phenomenal results.
lacee
811 posts
 
I've been pleasantly surprised with the improvement in sound my system, now that I've done some more tweaks to the power delivery.

I've found that Stillpoints ERS cloth works for me, and so does a couple of Nordost QV2.

My sound is now more coherent, better focused,and less harsh sounding.

But I never would have used any of those descriptors before.

I felt things were about as good as they could get.

I had paid attention to the power delivery.

Three dedicated 20 amp lines on 10 guage wire from the panel.

One into a Hydra 2 for CD,
one into the large HYdra for TT and phono stage,and volume control, and the last one for the power amps.

I use Shunyata RZ1 and Furutech GTX D outlets.

The power cords are all Shunyata Annaconda.

So how could some cheap cloth and two relatively inexpensive power tweaks make any difference to what I had already done?

I was sceptical, but I've been surprised before when things that shouldn't make any difference do.

Did I mention I've been using HiFi Supremes throughout the system?

Some folks say they don't hear any changes using them.

I do, and I hear a much sweeter sounding system since I've done the last(?)round of tweaks.

Please don't expect too much from that fancy expensive power cord.

It can only do so much.

You shouldn't stop there,because when all the pieces of the puzzle come together, the picture is so much clearer.
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