The $200 K Works Empowered PC compared to the Nite, Elrod - Page 5

OK, time to finish my Empowered story
Previously I had 2 Emps in my system, one replaced the VD Nite on my Bel Canto Dac 2 and I thought is was just as good and much easier to use on small gear. I used 2nd EMP to connect Audio Magic Digital Stealth conditioner to wall outlet.

Now for the real test, replace the VD Nite on my CDP (used as transport) with Emp. Alas this is where the EMP has met its match and come up a little short. I knew this would be stiff challenge since originally the VD Nite blew me away with the improvement it made on CDP. The VD Nite was just a bit more resolving of fine detail here, mostly in lower mids/bass region and also in the far corners of the sound stage. The EMP was just a touch opaque here by comparison, although soundstage size was roughly equal which is impressive.

Although I can't check this with my set-up, I suspect I would also prefer the VD Nite on a large power amp because of its large gauge wire.

Now remember the EMP is $200 vs $750 VD Nite, so it is quite impressive by any standard. Also it is lightweight and flexible vs the bulky/cumbersome VD Nite. In the general use I would say the EMP is roughly equal to VD Signature AC cord, and for small gear would actually be preferred to any VD AC cord. For some reason the VD Nite AC cord is more effective on full size gear vs small gear which doesn't seem to fully utilize cables design/benefits.

Also keep in mind I am using a high end AC conditioner, if none were used this may also change my order of preference.

Sorry to bring this thread back up (or perhaps someone will thank me for the bump?) - anyways I had a question for DarkAngel - and I could find no other means to ask (disabled PMs and e-mail).

I'm in the market for a couple good, cheap-ish power cables. One for a CDP, one for a headphone amp. Towards the beginning of this thread, you mentioned you received a Signal Cable Magic Digital AC cord - any word on it's performance? The standard Signal Cable Magic PC has seen nothing but praise (at it's very low price point). You've had a ton of experience with power cables, so your opinion is quite valuable IMO. My budget can extend a bit - possibly even to an absolute maximum of the Empowered PC that this thread was created about (that you apparently like quite a bit ) - but buying two of these would be stretching it a bit too thin.

Thanks in advance, sorry to bother you (I assume since your PMs and e-mail are disabled that you don't exactly embrace this kind of direct questioning) - but you're the only one here with this new cable

-dd3mon

Yes for under $100 I really like the Signal Digital AC cord which will run you $55 for 5ft. This is the one to get for headphone amps not the Magic cord which is thicker/heavier/stiffer because of 10ga cables used.............Digital uses 14ga and much more flexible, very nice finish. I have several Signal Digital/Magic cords around for various uses, these are super bargains and easly sound better vs stock generic cheapie cord.

If you raise your budget to $200 new/used definitely consider K-works Empowered which is my top choice for nuetral balanced sound.....tremendous performance at this price. If you want leaner faster sound consider used Zu Mother.

For maxium effect get best cord for CDP (this is most sensitive to AC cord upgrades) go for Empowered here $200 and get Signal Digital $55 for headphone amp (less sensitive AC cord upgrade)
so total of $255 will get great results.

I recently bought another VD Nite AC cord used at Audiogon since they are fairly cheap now (Hirsch has the new 2K protype VD cord to replace Nite, he he) ......this gives me total of three. Also considering buying a 4th Empowered (two systems plus PLC use lots of AC cords!)

Hey Peeps
Since this thread is alive again, who else picked up an Empowered cord and what are your impressions?

My thoughts after a little while with the Empowered

Well, I've been burning in my Empowered PC for about a week or two now with the cord not moving or changing shape in any way (Igor says this is important). The sound has improved and I am much happier now with my system than I was.

The main change after burn-in has been an increase in clarity. I got more bass weight when I first installed the cord, and while the bass was already tight, I've found that after burn-in the bass response is slightly leaner and more taut, thus being much more natural. Similarly, the midrange has become clearer in a way that conveys sweetness without viscosity. Treble clarity and extension have improved as well.

So... how does this cord compare with others? The only other power cords I've had on my Meridian are stock 18-gauge power cords and a borrowed Tekline powercord of, I believe, approximately the same price as the K Works Empowered.

The Empowered cord is clearly a great improvement over the stock. For a hair over $200, it'd better be. I found the improvement worth the money, though. As I have mentioned, bass response is now deeper and yet tighter; the midrange isn't as syrupy but is clearer and more dynamic; the treble has become clearer.

The Tekline provides a greater challenge, but at the same price range, one might not expect a big difference. I did find a great improvement over my stock powercord with the Tekline as well. The biggest improvement was in the bass region as the bass became deeper and fuller; the midrange also gained more heft.

However, I much prefer the Empowered cord over the Tekline. The sound is much more balanced and clear than the darker sound of the Tekline. The Tekline still made my system sound natural, but the Empowered provides greater detail and the natural sound comes from a complete spectrum that's well represented. The Tekline provides a more comfortable feel, perhaps, in lending all music played across it a darker and warmer emphasis. It's good in its own way, but in my system the Empowered simply lets the music shine. And while my system may not be the best money can buy, it seems to me that it's good enough that clarity and transparency is a good thing.

The bottom line is that I highly recommend this powercord to someone who can spend the money. I know that I'm happy with my purchase.

System used:
Source: Meridian 508.20 CD player
Amp: Melos SHA-1 with NOS Tungsram PCC88 tubes
Headphones: Alessandro-Grado Music Series Pro
Interconnects: DH Labs Silver Sonic Air Matrix RCA, 1-meter
Power cords: Stock 18ga, Tekline, K Works Empowered on Meridian; modified captive cord on Melos.
Music (list not exhaustive): Charles Mingus - Mingus, Ah, Um; Shostakovich - String Quartets 11, 12, 13 (Taneyev Quartet on Melodiya); Bartok's string quartets (Emerson Quartet on DG); The Who - Who's Next (Deluxe); Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy

P.S.
I'll try to upload a picture of the cord in my system (which hasn't had its picture posted in a long time) if, perhaps, someone would like to host it?