[SzDoc]

So, after not getting a response to e-mail for some months, I decided to post herein and Mr. Wilson responded within an hour. Should have thought of Head-fi earlier. Dumb me. But, I digress...

As a result of our earlier PM, I am assembling the money to buy a GS-1, as an upgrade to my Lite: I need more inputs. It appears that this amp uses a standard (? IEC) power cable.

I have had much luck with upgrading power cords on my CD player and amp. On my preamp, it did not make a material difference. So, I believe that such upgrades are of value with certain components.

Does anyone have experience and opinions about whether a power cord upgrade to the GS-1 is worthwhile? Necessary?

Thanks much.

 

[twsmith]

I tried several IEC-type power cords with my GS-1 - a stock cord that came with another component as well as a more expensive Harmonic Tech cord. In all honesty I heard no change (positive or negative) in sound quality between these cords. Since I only tried 2 cords, it would not be possible to say whether you would or would not hear any improvement with another cord upgrade. My suspicion is that you probably would not -- but perhaps others on the forum may have a different opinion about this.

Another thing to consider with regard to the GS-1 is that many power cord ""upgrades" have an enlarged terminal socket which effectively blocks the on-off switch which is located right next to the power connection on the back panel. To turn off the amp, you would need to pull the plug itself or use an external power strip with an on-off switch.

 

[SzDoc]

Most helpful. Thanks. Will start (as I would have done anyway) with the stock cord.

 

[kontai69]

I personally tried a several power cables with my GS-1. Stock, Signal Cable Magic Power, VH Audio Flavor 2, and Volex. I thought I heard differences after alot of A/B comparisons with stock but I'm not sure. The Signal Cable and VH Audio cables were a little too warm sounding. I don't remember what I thought of the Volex. However, the differences were extremely subtle at best, and therefore could just all be placebo. I just decided to use a Zu Birth cable I got on eBay for $40 and just forget about power cable swapping. The switching around was getting to be a little too obsessive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by twsmith /img/forum/go_quote.gif Another thing to consider with regard to the GS-1 is that many power cord ""upgrades" have an enlarged terminal socket which effectively blocks the on-off switch which is located right next to the power connection on the back panel. To turn off the amp, you would need to pull the plug itself or use an external power strip with an on-off switch.

True. I have to use the top of my pinky to hit the power switch behind the oversized WattGate IEC plug of my Zu power cable.

 

[SzDoc]

Obsessive? Never...

Will definitely use the stock for at least a decent interval before I get into cable uprade-itis.

Thanks.

 

[euclid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SzDoc /img/forum/go_quote.gif So, after not getting a response to e-mail for some months, I decided to post herein and Mr. Wilson responded within an hour. Should have thought of Head-fi earlier. Dumb me. But, I digress... As a result of our earlier PM, I am assembling the money to buy a GS-1, as an upgrade to my Lite: I need more inputs. It appears that this amp uses a standard (? IEC) power cable. I have had much luck with upgrading power cords on my CD player and amp. On my preamp, it did not make a material difference. So, I believe that such upgrades are of value with certain components. Does anyone have experience and opinions about whether a power cord upgrade to the GS-1 is worthwhile? Necessary? Thanks much.

i have tried different power cables on the Headamp GS-1 and GS-X and i do notice differences. after experimenting with a few manufactures i built some protoypes of my own, keeping the midbass clean and uncongested while bringing out the detail and low bass has been the challenge and reason i started trying my own DIY b/c i couldnt find that. I settled on a cord that i like best with my GS-X (which unfortunatley does not sound the best on my CD player). if you'd like to try it on your GS-1 ill send it to you for a few weeks, but im not sure how much depends on system synergy since i built it using the GS-X and i no longer have the GS-1.

 

[tbonner1]

One of the best power cord reviews ever was done right here:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=141423

I would first try the Bizzy Bee "Jelly Fish" cords on sale now at 2 for $39. The best deal you will find.

 

[SzDoc]

Thanks to all.