markl
Hangin' with the monkeys.
Member of the Trade: Lawton Audio
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2001
- Posts
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- 49
Having recently received a pair of the best ICs I've ever heard (review forthcoming), I've been fooling around with the power cabling in my system. The new ICs are far cheaper than they have a right to be, which opened my mind to trying other cheaper power cords, so I've been experimenting with some less expensive power cords than what I previously owned (retailed around $700 each).
Since the makers of my previous cables relied on a sort of "faith-based" approach to cable design, and *perhaps* utilized what *some* would argue are pseudo-scientific "innovations" to produce their products (which I freely and gladly admit are EXCELLENT-sounding cables), I decided to go in the opposite direction and turned to a manufacturer who purports to base their designs purely on science and *measurements*. I recabled my system with $200 Analysis Plus Oval 10 power cords. Analysis Plus' claim to fame is the use of pure measurement to prove their cables worth. They've developed some very unique cable geometries (hollow oval) that they assert are *measurably better* than other cables (their trade show booths are famous for doing demos with their test equipment that show the "superiority" of their cables vs. much more expensive competitors).
But sometimes, you need to actually *listen* to a cable to determine its value and performance level vs. its measured specs. The Oval 10s were extremely transparent, clean and clear as you could ever ask for with great soundstaging-- BUT they were too bright and lean and thin in my system. Bass was lacking, they were fatiguing to me.
So, as a test, I decided to go back to stock cabling for both units, 18-guage well-made molded power cords, a bit nicer than your typical no-name cords. Yup, in comparison to aftermarket cords, they do indeed SUCK. In fact they took my system back down to a whole new low. Yuck! I swapped the Analysis Plus and the stock cables back and forth half a dozen times, and the conclusion was obvious-- as much as I disapproved of some of what the Analysis Plus cables were doing, they were still light years ahead of the stock cabling in almost every respect.
While perusing audiogon for replacements, I came across an ad for these Iron Lung Jellyfish power cords, no-frills, custom-built hospital-grade 14-guage power cords. They were a mere $29.00 each. What the heck, why not?
I ordered two of them, put one on my RS Audio HR-2 and another on my Sony SCD-555ES sacmods SACDP. Let's just say I had *very low* expectations, but I was very pleasantly surprised (I would actually say slack-jawed *given the price*). Tonally, they are very balanced with very good bass response. Reasonably clean, decent soundstaging (although a little 2-D and flat relative to other cords), relatively low noise floor, but not as low as the Analysis Plus or the other more expensive power cords I've had. A bit "slower" than the Analysis Plus, but not bad. Comparing them several times to the stock cabling, the difference could not have been clearer.
Overall, I can say I would much rather have these cheapie $29 cables in my system than the $200 Analysis Plus cables, how's that for a recommendation?
I think if you've ever been tempted to dip your toes in the aftermarket power cables pond, these are a great way to start. I don't think you would be disappointed. They haven't necessarily stopped my current quest for better power cables, but at $29 they give you a level of performance that is absolutely ridiculous given the cost of entry.
Way recommended!
http://www.tubeaudiodesign.com/
Since the makers of my previous cables relied on a sort of "faith-based" approach to cable design, and *perhaps* utilized what *some* would argue are pseudo-scientific "innovations" to produce their products (which I freely and gladly admit are EXCELLENT-sounding cables), I decided to go in the opposite direction and turned to a manufacturer who purports to base their designs purely on science and *measurements*. I recabled my system with $200 Analysis Plus Oval 10 power cords. Analysis Plus' claim to fame is the use of pure measurement to prove their cables worth. They've developed some very unique cable geometries (hollow oval) that they assert are *measurably better* than other cables (their trade show booths are famous for doing demos with their test equipment that show the "superiority" of their cables vs. much more expensive competitors).
But sometimes, you need to actually *listen* to a cable to determine its value and performance level vs. its measured specs. The Oval 10s were extremely transparent, clean and clear as you could ever ask for with great soundstaging-- BUT they were too bright and lean and thin in my system. Bass was lacking, they were fatiguing to me.
So, as a test, I decided to go back to stock cabling for both units, 18-guage well-made molded power cords, a bit nicer than your typical no-name cords. Yup, in comparison to aftermarket cords, they do indeed SUCK. In fact they took my system back down to a whole new low. Yuck! I swapped the Analysis Plus and the stock cables back and forth half a dozen times, and the conclusion was obvious-- as much as I disapproved of some of what the Analysis Plus cables were doing, they were still light years ahead of the stock cabling in almost every respect.
While perusing audiogon for replacements, I came across an ad for these Iron Lung Jellyfish power cords, no-frills, custom-built hospital-grade 14-guage power cords. They were a mere $29.00 each. What the heck, why not?
I ordered two of them, put one on my RS Audio HR-2 and another on my Sony SCD-555ES sacmods SACDP. Let's just say I had *very low* expectations, but I was very pleasantly surprised (I would actually say slack-jawed *given the price*). Tonally, they are very balanced with very good bass response. Reasonably clean, decent soundstaging (although a little 2-D and flat relative to other cords), relatively low noise floor, but not as low as the Analysis Plus or the other more expensive power cords I've had. A bit "slower" than the Analysis Plus, but not bad. Comparing them several times to the stock cabling, the difference could not have been clearer.
Overall, I can say I would much rather have these cheapie $29 cables in my system than the $200 Analysis Plus cables, how's that for a recommendation?
I think if you've ever been tempted to dip your toes in the aftermarket power cables pond, these are a great way to start. I don't think you would be disappointed. They haven't necessarily stopped my current quest for better power cables, but at $29 they give you a level of performance that is absolutely ridiculous given the cost of entry.
Way recommended!
http://www.tubeaudiodesign.com/