[coolbluesurface]

Any opinions about the Audioquest NRG-X3 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0055ONLZC

), for upgrading from a stock power cable, versus the PC-1.5 cable from Grant Fidelity (http://shop.grantfidelity.com/PC-1-5-Performance-Power-Cord.html)?  I tried asking at http://www.head-fi.org/t/603086/review-grant-fidelity-tubedac-11/165#post_9303970 but no response.
Will also consider the "Deluxe Asylum" cable from Take Five Audio (http://www.takefiveaudio.com/mall/shopexd.asp?id=1079), and I've seen several positive comments about the Shunyata brand (http://www.shunyata.com/Content/products-PowerCables.html).
Thanks for your suggestions, and any links to other good options under $150 USD.

 

[yage]

I would also consider the Analysis Plus Pro Power Oval. It's a 12 AWG (overall) power cable with a braided silver-plated copper shield, which should be very effective at keeping unwanted EMI / RFI from leaking out or getting into the cable. I use this power cord in my system, replacing the stock one that came with my CD player.
 
3 ft. length is $99. Because it's part of Analysis Plus' pro line, they're mainly sold at guitar shops or music stores. The Cable Company also carries them.
 
http://www.analysis-plus.com/pro_powercable.html
http://www.customguitargear.com/ap-pro-power-oval.html
http://www.thecableco.com/Product/Pro-Power-Oval-11352
 

 

[coolbluesurface]

Thanks for your input.  I'll also look through the site at thecableco.com that you linked to, and its affiliated site usedcable.com.

 

[coolbluesurface]

I will probably just start with the Pangea AC-14SE (http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PGAC14SE&variation=2) or Pangea AC9 (http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PGAC9&variation=2) for now.
Then I'll also keep an eye out for good deals on even better cables in used condition at http://www.usedcable.com/Catalog/Power-Cable.
 

 

[lmf22]

The Shunyata Venom 3 is another good one.  I have all Shunata power cords in my system.  I use the Venom 3 Source on my computer/server. 
Their Venom 3 Source is 14 gauge and is good for source components like DACs. http://www.musicdirect.com/p-86433-shunyata-venom-3-source-power-cable.aspx
Their regular Venom 3 is 12 gauge and is good for amps. http://www.musicdirect.com/p-9670-shunyata-venom-3-power-cable.aspx

 

[coolbluesurface]

Cool, thanks for the links.  I'm a confused about which type of cable is best suited for the Grant Fidelity TubeDac-11, since it has both DAC and amp functionality, but I assume either will help.

 

[yage]

Your component only draws about 20W, according to the website. A 14 AWG cable is perfectly fine.

 

[coolbluesurface]

Thanks yage, I appreciate the help.

 

[ru4music]

Quote:

I will probably just start with the Pangea AC-14SE (http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PGAC14SE&variation=2) or Pangea AC9 (http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PGAC9&variation=2) for now.
Then I'll also keep an eye out for good deals on even better cables in used condition at http://www.usedcable.com/Catalog/Power-Cable.
 

 
I use the AC-14SE on my modded Shanling CDP and the AC-9SE on my Woo WA-2 headphone amp.  I first tried the AC-9 and AC-14SE on my amp and found that the AC-9SE was well worth the extra spend.  Tighter extended base and slightly better sound staging and detail. 
 
Cheers!

 

[coolbluesurface]

Interesting, thanks for the note. Yeah I will probably try them both. I went for the Pangea AC14SE for now, but plan to buy several AC9 for my speakers. I'll also try the AC9 on my DAC to see if it makes a difference from the 14SE.
However, I'm a little hesitant about the diameter of the AC9.  I have heard people say that it's so big it's like a gas station (petrol) hose   The size of the AC14SE is probably as large as I would want to deal with in my setup, which is located on the main table in my living room where I work on a computer from my couch.

 

[Thunder240]

Has anyone had the chance to compare the Pangea AC-14 SE to the Shunyata Venom 3 / Venom 14? If so, can you hear a difference, and if so, how would you describe it?

I just got an AC-14 Mk2, which I put on my DAC in place of a generic 18 ga PC. I can tell that the bass is tighter and more authoritative, but that's the only difference I hear. If the Shunyata would give me a more drastic improvement, I'd consider getting one for the DAC and returning the Pangea or moving it to a different component.

 

[Thunder240]

Answering my own question, I just checked out a demo Shunyata Venom 14 from a dealer near me. It might not be an entirely fair comparison because the Shunyata has hundreds of hours on it already (if that matters, I dunno). However, swapping back and forth on my DAC, I believe the Venom 14 does a better job of revealing low level detail (by which I mean that instruments playing softly sound more musical, e.g. the walking bass line in the opening bars of "Easy Does It" on Oscar Peterson Plays Count Basie). Putting a few hundred hours on the Pangea and then redoing the comparison isn't an option, unfortunately. I'm just gonna buy the Venom 14 for my DAC and return the AC-14SE.