[TSAVJason]

Maybe I missed something, but googling Bob Osinsky didn't reveal any books about cable.

http://www.bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books.html

He in my opinion is the most noted in what is known as Audio Engineering, almost the creator in a way of Audio Engineering and technologies

 

[jibzilla]

So tell us about the engineering on this wire or send a link. I was only able to gather a small amount of data that doesn't take it to a significant improvement category ....my engineer brain likes to read about wire design so if you have a link to share that would be cool to read.

 
So I have not been to their website in a while. Looks like their budget power cords are not so budget anymore. Basically is was their take on the Bob Crump/ Asylum power cord that has been around for a while. It uses pretty cheap belden 19364 but has a pass and seymour plug and schurter IEC . When I got my set of five power cords it was during a very good currency exchange and I talked them into a small discount. My A7x speakers have a 12ft. run so I used triplite 14awg which was around $1.50 a foot.  

 

[TSAVJason]

I take your word for it, to not diverge this into another cable discussion thread.  Simply trying to learn here, and just curious on what engineering qualities you are looking for when evaluating cables.  For me, not claiming anything beyond my subjective listening evaluation.

So yes, hearing is believing and I am the advocate of auditioning before purchasing to be sure you're making a good buy. Wire isn't magic. Wire is a good design or not. When good designs are used performance in AC is enhanced. When wire geometry is solid it rejects noise and brings more frequencies forward. What each individual derives from the use of good designs in wire technology is as anything else subjective.

 

[Svatopluk]

So yes, hearing is believing and I am the advocate of auditioning before purchasing to be sure you're making a good buy. Wire isn't magic. Wire is a good design or not. When good designs are used performance in AC is enhanced. When wire geometry is solid it rejects noise and brings more frequencies forward. What each individual derives from the use of good designs in wire technology is as anything else subjective.

I'm using a Panamax M5300 PM to power all my audio gear. Along with surge protection, the manufacturer claims it has filtration circuity that virtually eliminates line noise. Right now everything sounds so clear using the Utopia with consumer grade power cables. I can't imagine it getting any better.
So I was just wondering what your thoughts are related to the use of high end power cables with a power center that provides it's own line filtering. 

 

[astrostar59]

 

So yes, hearing is believing and I am the advocate of auditioning before purchasing to be sure you're making a good buy. Wire isn't magic. Wire is a good design or not. When good designs are used performance in AC is enhanced. When wire geometry is solid it rejects noise and brings more frequencies forward. What each individual derives from the use of good designs in wire technology is as anything else subjective.

I'm using a Panamax M5300 PM to power all my audio gear. Along with surge protection, the manufacturer claims it has filtration circuity that virtually eliminates line noise. Right now everything sounds so clear using the Utopia with consumer grade power cables. I can't imagine it getting any better.
So I was just wondering what your thoughts are related to the use of high end power cables with a power center that provides it's own line filtering. 

I am not sure different mains cabling would change much? If not so much cost, no harm in trying mind.
 
I saw the biggest shift (better) when I got the PS Audio P10 and ran my system off that. It regenerates the entire sine wave from AC to DC them back to clean AC. I live in an apartment and I get 3% line distortion at peaks times. Also the voltage wavers from 249V to 226v. On the P10 it can get 0.1% solid line distortion rating, and a fixed 230V sine wave.
 
Also I set it to shut down (no reboot) if there is a power outage. My electric board switch transformers in the early morning and the odd times it can drop out and surge back on. On some occasions they try 5 times in 2 or 3 minutes. All those reboots and surges, my system doesn't like it obviously.
 
Anyway, sorry, I digress. But yes, clean mains is a big thing to the sound you can get. To prove the point further, ever noticed how your hifi sounds better at 1am in the morning?

 

[TSAVJason]

I'm using a Panamax M5300 PM to power all my audio gear. Along with surge protection, the manufacturer claims it has filtration circuity that virtually eliminates line noise. Right now everything sounds so clear using the Utopia with consumer grade power cables. I can't imagine it getting any better.
So I was just wondering what your thoughts are related to the use of high end power cables with a power center that provides it's own line filtering. 

So to give you an idea of the calibur of OEM power cables you get in these electronics boxes. These cost the manufacturers anywhere from $.60 - $1.80. To make that more understandable McIntosh Labs pays the $1.80 for there biggest amp power cable. These are cables that retail for $6-$8 at Home Depot and the like. They meet UL standards and work. Even Panamax would tell you that a upgraded power cable would enhance performance both on the input and output sides. There are 2 primary reasons manufacturers don't include higher grade power cables. 1) UL certification is crazy expensive - around $10k for a cable and it needs to be certified with the electronics it's going to attach to. That's another $30k-$40k. So using a low cost pre-certified cable saves money.

2) the cost of a quality upgrade is much more than manufacturers want to pay for .....then comes the UL cost associated to it because everything has to be re-certified as being offered.

These costs would be passed on to your dealer and you. An example miight be your Panamax retailing for another $200.00 ....at $739.00 retail instead of $539 and you may have looked at another brand.

The reason I speak highly of Isotek is because they do provide surge protection, line conditioning and a high performance cable commensurate with the standard of the product. Anywhere from a $50 - $500 AC cable depending on the level of the conditioner. What's surprising is they don't increase their price and have recently decreased their prices.

 

[Muvieguy]

So to give you an idea of the calibur of OEM power cables you get in these electronics boxes. These cost the manufacturers anywhere from $.60 - $1.80. To make that more understandable McIntosh Labs pays the $1.80 for there biggest amp power cable. These are cables that retail for $6-$8 at Home Depot and the like. They meet UL standards and work. Even Panamax would tell you that a upgraded power cable would enhance performance both on the input and output sides. There are 2 primary reasons manufacturers don't include higher grade power cables. 1) UL certification is crazy expensive - around $10k for a cable and it needs to be certified with the electronics it's going to attach to. That's another $30k-$40k. So using a low cost pre-certified cable saves money.

2) the cost of a quality upgrade is much more than manufacturers want to pay for .....then comes the UL cost associated to it because everything has to be re-certified as being offered.

These costs would be passed on to your dealer and you. An example miight be your Panamax retailing for another $200.00 ....at $739.00 retail instead of $539 and you may have looked at another brand.

The reason I speak highly of Isotek is because they do provide surge protection, line conditioning and a high performance cable commensurate with the standard of the product. Anywhere from a $50 - $500 AC cable depending on the level of the conditioner. What's surprising is they don't increase their price and have recently decreased their prices.

What is the least expensive power conditioner I can purchase that converts AC to DC and that only has room for 4 outlets?

 

[Khragon]

Power cable does not matter. Tested it with my ears. Compared $10 vs $100, no diff. Schiit also say this in their manual, I'm sure they know a thing or two regarding engineering.

We're diverging. Let get back to Utopia. I heard Focal is reducing stock cable length to 3m instead of 4?

 

[ToddRaymond]

Ah yes, the old "cables [or whatever] don't matter, and let's never discuss it again. I claim to hear what you hear. See, I can talk about cables for just a second—and you cannot—because I'm right and you're wrong." Never gets old.

 

[bfreedma]

Does the Utopia require an electrical power cable?
 
If not, can we move on?

 

[Muvieguy]

Does the Utopia require an electrical power cable?

If not, can we move on?

Lol your right the Utopia does not but all the other gear is dependent on electrical cables

 

[Toolman]

Humor me...why is power cables being discussed in a Focal Utopia thread?

 

[inthere]

Humor me...why is power cables being discussed in a Focal Utopia thread?

Well if someone spends $4000 on a headphone my guess is they want the best audio possible! 

 

[TonyNewman]

 
Well if someone spends $4000 on a headphone my guess is they want the best audio possible! 

 
And that involves fancy + pricey cables how?

 

[inthere]

And that involves fancy + pricey cables how?

If someone that's bought expensive components like Focal Utopia headphones *assumes* that cables can improve audio, then they, already committed to getting the best possible audio for their setup, will pursue cable options. Many have either already purchased expensive cable options or inquired about them in this very thread.