pataburd
Headphoneus Supremus
These are preliminary comparisons between the MAC (My Audio Cables) HC and IeGo 70530 (base model) power cords.
The MAC HC has been THE power cord for my Bada PH-12 headphone amplifier for over a year now. The IeGo were recently acquired (two for $65 apiece +$30 shipping from Taiwan) in the process of building a budget source/integrated amp/outboard speaker system for my wife. Since her interconnect and speaker cable (ordered from Virtue Audio) had not arrived yet (the IeGo arrived in three days from Taiwan, while Canada Post is going on seven days and counting), I took it upon myself to audition the IeGo in my current headphone system:
--EVS fully modded Oppo HD970
--Bada PH-12 (heavily upgraded/modded by Fitz) w/1x National Union 6SN7GT and 2x Raytheon VT-231 damped with Herbies' Hal-Os
--EVS IC100 UP-OCC copper interconnects
--MAC Source and HC power cables (can be had for $59-$79 +Priority Shipping from NJ on the AudiogoN auctions)
--OneAC and PowerVar AC conditioners
--DakiOm Feedback Stabilizers
--Marigo Signature Disc Mat
--various and sundry isolation, RFI and vibration damping tweaks
--(stock) DT880/2003
--UP-OCC recabled AKG K501
--(stock) Denon D5000
--(stock) AKG K240
--Etymotic ER-4S IEMs
All of these first impressions were gotten with the DT880/2003, and with the Meier crossfeed on the lowest of its three, possible settings.
Music:
Burning Bush: The Best of Yiddish, Klezmer and Sephardic Music
Paul McCartney: Best of
Hiroshima: Go
Tommy James and the Shondells: Best of
Bob James and Earl Klugh: Cool
JVC World Class Jazz Sampler
Marty Robbins: Best of, Vol. 1 (Legacy remasters).
************************************************** **************************************
Fitting the female IEC socket of the IeGo into the Bada took some effort since the clamping force was unrivaled by anything I've used before. To prep the socket, I fit it for a few hours into a two- to three-prong adapter I had on hand in order to relax the bite a bit; it still took a fair amount of force to plug it onto the Bada, once "relaxed". The IeGo cable is more unwieldy than the MAC, but arguably more pleasing to the eye. (We need pictures! I'll try to have some available by the next installment to this review, God willing.)
Initially, I noticed an appreciably sweeter tonality to the IeGo, compared with the more stark and comparatively "neutral"--there goes that word again!--deposition of the MAC. The IeGo had a solidity and vivaciousness to it, especially in the midrange and low frequencies, that the MAC didn't; in particular, the bass apparently came across with more drive, articulation and focus. Performers and instruments were well differentiated by both the IeGo's "enhanced" sense of tonality (already alluded to above) as well as an individuated acuteness as-to their placement in space, which, by the way, was ample. In addition, the IeGo seemed to come across with more verve and PRaT. The downsides for the IeGo were attenuated transients, a feeling of congestion on passages with massed instruments and a touch of upper midrange glare. Mind you, the IeGo had no prior burn-in, so these negatives may abate or even metamorphose into positives over time (if you're a proponent of cable burn-in).
Refitting with the MAC HC brought a decided sense of greater openness from top to bottom. Transients were given more breathing space, bass, while perhaps not as punchily rendered as with the IeGo, was well extended and articulated, and had the proper modicum of bloom. While less sweet-sounding, the MAC sounded more honest and, I suppose, ultimately more believable. Some might think that these qualities of the MAC power cord, in tandem with the "house sound" of the DT880, might be too much of the same, but not me: so there you have an idea of my listening preferences. But also keep in mind that I have had over a year to become accustomed to the MAC power cords. And the IeGo has only a few hours on it.
Right now I'm further running in the IeGo. For the money, I like what this cable has to offer in terms of OCC wire, cryo treatment and sophistication of wire selection, various sizing, etc., so I'm anticipating some pleasant surprises en route The MAC uses a high purity silver-plated copper in a braided configuration and has been one of the best, if not THE best, power cord I've ever used up to this point.
More to come . . .
The MAC HC has been THE power cord for my Bada PH-12 headphone amplifier for over a year now. The IeGo were recently acquired (two for $65 apiece +$30 shipping from Taiwan) in the process of building a budget source/integrated amp/outboard speaker system for my wife. Since her interconnect and speaker cable (ordered from Virtue Audio) had not arrived yet (the IeGo arrived in three days from Taiwan, while Canada Post is going on seven days and counting), I took it upon myself to audition the IeGo in my current headphone system:
--EVS fully modded Oppo HD970
--Bada PH-12 (heavily upgraded/modded by Fitz) w/1x National Union 6SN7GT and 2x Raytheon VT-231 damped with Herbies' Hal-Os
--EVS IC100 UP-OCC copper interconnects
--MAC Source and HC power cables (can be had for $59-$79 +Priority Shipping from NJ on the AudiogoN auctions)
--OneAC and PowerVar AC conditioners
--DakiOm Feedback Stabilizers
--Marigo Signature Disc Mat
--various and sundry isolation, RFI and vibration damping tweaks
--(stock) DT880/2003
--UP-OCC recabled AKG K501
--(stock) Denon D5000
--(stock) AKG K240
--Etymotic ER-4S IEMs
All of these first impressions were gotten with the DT880/2003, and with the Meier crossfeed on the lowest of its three, possible settings.
Music:
Burning Bush: The Best of Yiddish, Klezmer and Sephardic Music
Paul McCartney: Best of
Hiroshima: Go
Tommy James and the Shondells: Best of
Bob James and Earl Klugh: Cool
JVC World Class Jazz Sampler
Marty Robbins: Best of, Vol. 1 (Legacy remasters).
************************************************** **************************************
Fitting the female IEC socket of the IeGo into the Bada took some effort since the clamping force was unrivaled by anything I've used before. To prep the socket, I fit it for a few hours into a two- to three-prong adapter I had on hand in order to relax the bite a bit; it still took a fair amount of force to plug it onto the Bada, once "relaxed". The IeGo cable is more unwieldy than the MAC, but arguably more pleasing to the eye. (We need pictures! I'll try to have some available by the next installment to this review, God willing.)
Initially, I noticed an appreciably sweeter tonality to the IeGo, compared with the more stark and comparatively "neutral"--there goes that word again!--deposition of the MAC. The IeGo had a solidity and vivaciousness to it, especially in the midrange and low frequencies, that the MAC didn't; in particular, the bass apparently came across with more drive, articulation and focus. Performers and instruments were well differentiated by both the IeGo's "enhanced" sense of tonality (already alluded to above) as well as an individuated acuteness as-to their placement in space, which, by the way, was ample. In addition, the IeGo seemed to come across with more verve and PRaT. The downsides for the IeGo were attenuated transients, a feeling of congestion on passages with massed instruments and a touch of upper midrange glare. Mind you, the IeGo had no prior burn-in, so these negatives may abate or even metamorphose into positives over time (if you're a proponent of cable burn-in).
Refitting with the MAC HC brought a decided sense of greater openness from top to bottom. Transients were given more breathing space, bass, while perhaps not as punchily rendered as with the IeGo, was well extended and articulated, and had the proper modicum of bloom. While less sweet-sounding, the MAC sounded more honest and, I suppose, ultimately more believable. Some might think that these qualities of the MAC power cord, in tandem with the "house sound" of the DT880, might be too much of the same, but not me: so there you have an idea of my listening preferences. But also keep in mind that I have had over a year to become accustomed to the MAC power cords. And the IeGo has only a few hours on it.
Right now I'm further running in the IeGo. For the money, I like what this cable has to offer in terms of OCC wire, cryo treatment and sophistication of wire selection, various sizing, etc., so I'm anticipating some pleasant surprises en route The MAC uses a high purity silver-plated copper in a braided configuration and has been one of the best, if not THE best, power cord I've ever used up to this point.
More to come . . .
