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Power Cord appreciation thread: Skeptics need not troll

post #1 of 22
10/3/06 at 1:45am
Thread Starter 
with all the recent criticism floating around this forum and my present situation of making some system changes, i decided to re-evaluate the importance of (and question my need for) an aftermarket power cord on my headphone amp. system is VH-Audio Flavor2 Cryo to Meridian 596 to Grover UR8 to Headamp GS-X to deflowered Senn 650 w/ 10ft Cardas. on the GS-X i had been using a 16g IEC cord for the past few days out of laziness and it had alot of hours on it peviously.

i tested back and forth about 5 complete times a 16g shielded IEC computer cord(18g is the typical standard) and a VH-Audio Flavor1 Cryo which uses shielded copper/teflon wire and wattgate connectors. the VHA cord is about $125, both the cords are 6ft. i had not used the VHA cord in a few days and i could actually hear it improving further as the test went on.

i was listening to Tool Aenima at the limits of my hearing. im not going to drown you all with terminology on this one... the aftermarket powercord extended dynamic range top and bottom, it gave the mids more realism and sharper speed, cleared up grain in the highs giving better definition to the cymbols, pronounced the basslines better with more articulation. drums had more impact punch and mass, vocals were more intimate. and it also added front to rear depth to the soundstage.

in other words it was an accross the board improvment with not a single compromise. it actually allowed me to hear detail and definition that was not present with the standard cord, it doesnt get more straight-forward. the VH-Audio cord is going back into my system, my.02

i should also add i pounded a substantial amount of sushi which slightly overclocked my brain.
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post #2 of 22
10/3/06 at 8:16am
I also did some tests myself and i also hear big differences while replacing powercords of different brands and diameter.
1,5 -2,5 mm2 seems to have better focus and sound clear.
4mm2 seems to have more body and sounds much warmer.
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post #3 of 22
10/5/06 at 5:31pm

The Benefit of Better Power Cords

I too have experienced considerable improvement when replacing stock power cords with higher grade ones. Unfortunately, I can't afford the really big buck ones but those selling for $60 to $100 have made for a satisfying experience. Everything just sounds more alive, detailed, spacious, and present in general. It seems that people who don't believe in this either cannot hear the difference for some reason, or are too proud/afraid to spend the money and try it for themselves. I respect their viewpoint though and wish they would do the same for those of us who can hear the difference.
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post #4 of 22
10/5/06 at 5:55pm
I to believe the claim to fame with power cords, I don't have allot of money so my only experience has been with the Iron-Lung Jellyfish cable. There was quit a bit of difference in sound between it and the several generic computer cables I tried on my Headfive amp.
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post #5 of 22
10/5/06 at 6:11pm
I believe in power cords but results with all tweaks will vary depending on your system, hearing, and preferences.

I have about 30 of those Volex cords to use in all devices around the house. In my own personal system, I use my own special super advanced material cords.
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post #6 of 22
10/5/06 at 8:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lan
I believe in power cords but results with all tweaks will vary depending on your system, hearing, and preferences.

I have about 30 of those Volex cords to use in all devices around the house. In my own personal system, I use my own special super advanced material cords.
Where did you get them? A PM would be appreciated. Thanks.
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post #7 of 22
10/5/06 at 9:49pm
Count me in as well. I used to think that just getting thicker Belden-style would yield better performance (which it sometimes did, mostly did not).

I don't remember my VERY first true after market cord, but one of the first that made a BIG difference was an older TG Audio HSR-series cord. It tightened the bass and actually gave it soundstage, and yielded some better focus and detail into the mids a bit.

Over the years since, I've leanred that high price doesn't mean the best sound. I've had some higher priced Zu, Ensemble, Cardas (not the Golden Ref, though), and others. Yes, they were good, and yes they made a difference. But the value of the TG Audio, some Audiogon DIY cords (Aural Thrills, for example), and now some other mid-priced like Eichmann, Black Sand and more, all fill in the same great sound for less $$.

Even the lower priced cords - Absolute, Iron Lung, Volex, Eupen, etc - do a very credible job for small change.

My general all-time favorite? TG Audio SLVR. A great mix of strength and speed. This did SO many things well across SO many components. I'm sorry to this day I got rid of the 2 I had.
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post #8 of 22
10/7/06 at 4:12pm
Are you guys hearing the improvements by using those power cords even straight from the wall / power strip? (i.e., without power conditioning)
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post #9 of 22
10/7/06 at 6:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gevorg
Are you guys hearing the improvements by using those power cords even straight from the wall / power strip? (i.e., without power conditioning)
Right now I'm just using 10 year old Belkin Gold series surge protector. I may eventually down the road consider power conditioners.
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post #10 of 22
10/8/06 at 1:58am
Power cords make the biggest difference in my system. I have tried to listen to music with stock cable but it just doesn't work, the harshness hurts my ears. With proper cable it sounds smooth and I can listen all day without fatigue!
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post #11 of 22
10/8/06 at 8:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by euclid
i tested back and forth about 5 complete times a 16g shielded IEC computer cord(18g is the typical standard) and a VH-Audio Flavor1 Cryo which uses shielded copper/teflon wire and wattgate connectors. the VHA cord is about $125, both the cords are 6ft. i had not used the VHA cord in a few days and i could actually hear it improving further as the test went on.

i was listening to Tool Aenima at the limits of my hearing. im not going to drown you all with terminology on this one... the aftermarket powercord extended dynamic range top and bottom, it gave the mids more realism and sharper speed, cleared up grain in the highs giving better definition to the cymbols, pronounced the basslines better with more articulation. drums had more impact punch and mass, vocals were more intimate. and it also added front to rear depth to the soundstage.

in other words it was an accross the board improvment with not a single compromise. it actually allowed me to hear detail and definition that was not present with the standard cord, it doesnt get more straight-forward. the VH-Audio cord is going back into my system, my.02
I've had good success with cryoed VH Audio PCs in my home system:
1) VH Flavor 1 running to my Jolida JD-100 cpd (made a huge difference with the Jolida cdp, akin to euclid's findings);
2) VH Flavor 2 running to my Odyssey Tempest preamp;
3) & 4) VH Flavor 4 running to each of my Odyssey Extreme Mono amps.

I also used to own a second Flavor 2, but sold it when I moved to mono amps.

I like dealing with Chris VenHaus, he's both friendly and knowledgeable. The VH Flavor series of PCs has a relatively attractive price/performance point, at least to me. I note the Flavor 4 PCs are relatively stiff, but still flexible enough to meet my needs. Additionally, the Flavor 4 PCs needed about 400 hours of burn-in (as did the mono amps).

I'm not saying VH Audio PCs are the best/worst/whatever, and am not here to promote any type of flame war. I do know, that in my system with my gear/ears, they make a pronouced positive impact in my home system.

I also use Walker SST on the VH PCs pins, the related component IEC pins (as well as my RCA male/female connectors, phono cartridge pins, speaker cables, tube pins, etc.). The Walker product - again, in my system with my gear/ears - pushed the performance of the VH products up another notch.

YMMV. Nice to hear from another fan of Chris VenHaus' cables, whether its the already made or IDY variety. BTW - he's got some killer photos of aurorae on his personal web site.
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post #12 of 22
10/11/06 at 9:18pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by djbnh
I've had good success with cryoed VH Audio PCs in my home system:
1) VH Flavor 1 running to my Jolida JD-100 cpd (made a huge difference with the Jolida cdp, akin to euclid's findings);
2) VH Flavor 2 running to my Odyssey Tempest preamp;
3) & 4) VH Flavor 4 running to each of my Odyssey Extreme Mono amps.

I also used to own a second Flavor 2, but sold it when I moved to mono amps.

I like dealing with Chris VenHaus, he's both friendly and knowledgeable. The VH Flavor series of PCs has a relatively attractive price/performance point, at least to me. I note the Flavor 4 PCs are relatively stiff, but still flexible enough to meet my needs. Additionally, the Flavor 4 PCs needed about 400 hours of burn-in (as did the mono amps).

I'm not saying VH Audio PCs are the best/worst/whatever, and am not here to promote any type of flame war. I do know, that in my system with my gear/ears, they make a pronouced positive impact in my home system.

I also use Walker SST on the VH PCs pins, the related component IEC pins (as well as my RCA male/female connectors, phono cartridge pins, speaker cables, tube pins, etc.). The Walker product - again, in my system with my gear/ears - pushed the performance of the VH products up another notch.

YMMV. Nice to hear from another fan of Chris VenHaus' cables, whether its the already made or IDY variety. BTW - he's got some killer photos of aurorae on his personal web site.
i agree Chris VenHaus has been great to deal with, i bought these two cords premade. also a pair of pulsar ICs about a year ago but i preffered the Grovers i had at the time, i think they were the UR4. He took the Pulsars back and returned my payment no questions asked.

my only complaint about the power cords are the wattgate IECs, they dont grip my components well enough. i am going to try the Oyaide plugs on the VH-Audio wire.

my cords are coming straight from the wall, i dont have any conditioning.

edit: wow those pics are incredible i had no idea that Aurorae could be seen from the US. thanks for the link!
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post #13 of 22
10/11/06 at 10:09pm
I've been buying up the Synergistic Research A/C Master Coupler cords on Audiogon. I tried them, as well as the next active version at my local dealer while auditioning the Rega Saturn. I really liked the active cord but they are too expensive, even used. The A/C Master Coupler have been going for around $130 ($350 new). They have made a difference in my system but as lan said earlier the results do vary and are usually subtle.
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post #14 of 22
10/11/06 at 10:51pm
I have probably spent too much money on the power cords in my systems, but I have to say they do make a big difference. Crystal Cable, Shunyata, and Nirvana Audio all produce improvements in multiple ways. Quails also better stock cables easily.
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post #15 of 22
10/12/06 at 1:23pm
I started using volex on everything after I used the power cord from my mac. Apple uses volex in everything, and for good reason. My desktop(pc) now crashes much less, and when I accidentally kick the cord, It would no longer short and cut out. Along with a line conditioner, I no longer get pops and noise when I do stuff like turn on ac and lamps and stuff. With the ghetto cords I used before, even when plugged into the ups i would get noise from my radios and cell phones.

Ive never had the chance to try anything above them, but do higher end power cords make other changes? like to the sound. Or is my rig too modest to hear anything. Im trying to decide whether to start making my own power cords out of spc..
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