I am looking forward to hearing about this, too. |
Well it uses a few more 'better' copper wires in the mix. The only visual difference is the purely cosmetic metal caps on the plugs.
So i would guess (not having bought one yet) it is a little more refined than the 14SE
I note that Audio Advisor does not exactly explain what wires are better. a mix, a few bits??
I went for the AC9SE and it was better in some situations than the AC99.
So I would guess the same can be said for the 14XL over the 14SE.
I plan on getting one or two eventually. When they offer a deal for eary adapters.. The current extra discount for return of power cables bought from them in the past two years only.. I cannot use as mine are older.. |
Elizabeth, I was hoping you knew something about this new cable, since Audio Advisor is not providing any real info. I bought some Pangea's a while back based on your recommendations. I think a AC-14 was only $35; incredible! |
Discount for return of power cables? Can someone tell my where there is information on that? |
The Pangea power cords look like a nice value for a "premium" power cord.
I have some wear with oover separation near the connection on my current DAC cord and am planning to replace with a Pangea to give that a try. |
Discount for return of power cables?
I think that promotion is over with. You would have to call Audio Advisoor.
The deal was only for people who bought any power cords from Audio Advisor in the past two years. You could return them for a full credit of money paid, toward the new Pangea 14XL.
For me thhe problem was I bought my 14's more than two years ago, so no deal for them. |
I think the promotion is still running. The most recent Audio Advisor catalog that just came in the mail (SP114 as identifier...lower left back cover) is still listing an "Impossible-to-Resist Trade-in/Trade-up Deal: Get 100% Of Your Money Back When You Upgrade to New Pangea AC-14XL!" on page 3.
Must call them for RA# before sending in your old AC-14 or AC-14SE. |
Anybody know what AA does with the used traded in cables?? |
Pangea likely bundles the older "trade in" cables and ships them to third world countries to foster sub par hifi...shameful. |
04-24-14: Robertsong
Anybody know what AA does with the used traded in cables??
They put some metal on the plugs and sell them as the XL models. |
Not a big believer in spending huge $$$ on power cords, I just acquired the Pangea AC-14XL. I have power conditioning throughout my system, which is comprised of customized vacuum tube equipment, including a pair of 805 SE amps. I have some vintage name brand power cords supplying the main power to the conditioners, and SoniClear, cryo treated, power cords supplying all the other gear. The SoniClear cables were reasonably priced and a nice upgrade over stock. In comes the 14XL into the preamp. All else remained the same. To say I was surprised is an understatement. The sound literally exploded (but very smoothly) into my room. I had no idea that my SE amps could make such low bass. My Von Schwiekert speakers are capable of going very deep into the nether regions. I put on cut 6 from The Gladiator CD and was astonished that my system, particularly the amps, could produce the low bass that it did. Improvements are not just in the bass, but I can't get into all of those now. I have had the cord for about two weeks and I think I am still hearing changes (for the better). Given its gauge, I would not use these on power amps. |
St I'm with you.
The 14 series I Use with my dac and preamp hit the sweet spot for
performance quality and value. Some day I may try the Pangea. 9 series
which is the model designed for use with power amps. |
Not a big believer in spending huge $$$ on power cords, I just acquired the Pangea AC-14XL. I have power conditioning throughout my system, which is comprised of customized vacuum tube equipment, including a pair of 805 SE amps. I have some vintage name brand power cords supplying the main power to the conditioners, and SoniClear, cryo treated, power cords supplying all the other gear. The SoniClear cables were reasonably priced and a nice upgrade over stock. In comes the 14XL into the preamp. All else remained the same. To say I was surprised is an understatement. The sound literally exploded (but very smoothly) into my room. I had no idea that my SE amps could make such low bass. My Von Schwiekert speakers are capable of going very deep into the nether regions. I put on cut 6 from The Gladiator CD and was astonished that my system, particularly the amps, could produce the low bass that it did. Improvements are not just in the bass, but I can't get into all of those now. I have had the cord for about two weeks and I think I am still hearing changes (for the better). Given its gauge, I would not use these on power amps. |
I got the ac14 and the xl cables and wasn't happy with the performance. The bass was too boomy and one of the connectors wasn't fitting snugly into the source device. I understand these cables are made for audio advisor and don't compare to other brand like shunyata. I replaced the Pangea cables with shunyata cables. Big difference.
My system has the Wilson sasha, bryston 4bsst2 and 26 pre. Nad m50 music server and wired 4 sound Dac 2, oppo 105. |
Jm,
Yes, the 14s I have are well built and bulky. I had to manipulate them somewhat at first to stay attached securely in my small light DAC units, but once I did initially no problems since.
Regarding the sound, the bass was cleaner and more articulate and perhaps a tad lighter accordingly.
I would not judge the change in any single case as a knock on the product. part of it is what did it replace and how the sound changes accordingly. Like any change that affects teh sound, the changes may not all be positive in any particular case alone. Other tweaks might be needed to get things to sound exactly right to the only one who matters, the listener.
So I would not designate the 14s as inherently "boomy" or inherently good or bad in all applications.
In my particular case, I would merely say that the product worked exactly as advertised, which is the best one can hope for. It is also quite substantial in form and comes off as a good value for the asking prices. YMMV. |
I gave the AC-14 XL a try for 30 days. My impression is it's not a significant upgrade over the AC-14SE; which is the great bang for your buck cable. |
I agree with Lowrider57. The one reason to buy the XL vs. the SE is if you have gear that has the IEC power inlet that always leaves your power cables semi-loose or even dangling. The XL has a deathgrip both on the wall socket and at the IEC connector. Otherwise, the SE is still the best bang for the buck. |
Quite frankly, I just use some Teflon tape around the end of the IEC to make a snug fit regardless of what power cord I use. At the wall it depends on the AC receptacle. I use Furutech but Oyaide grab the plug very well. |
For anybody interested, the Pangea AC 14SE has been discontinued. It's replacement is the AC 14SE MKII Signature which sells for $49.99/1 meter. Didn't the SE sell for about $120 for one meter?
I need another power cord and couldn't order the 14SE Signature, so I emailed AA and they directed me to the new cable. Most of my PCs are Audience, but at this price I'll be buying a few more Pangea. |
Resurrecting Zombie thread alert!
The Pangea AC14XL are now on sale with different lengths discounted as little as 14% or as much as 33%.
Since only one place sells them... No need to say where.
Did I buy any? yes.
Are they any good. Yeah, OK.
One curious thing is the advertising. They harp that the plugs use pure copper, over and over, but not once have I seen them actually mention the plug metal IS STILL GOLD PLATED. And I LOOKED, a LOT. Well... Yes, the ends are not bare copper, they are gold plated.And the wire is not 100% Cardas.. Though some ads may read like yes they are. nope. Percentage is still a mystery.
Finally are them better than the AC14SE mk2 Signature? kind of. If you have the 14SE Signature, the XL may not do a lot for you. Subtle is the word. better yes. but it is subtle..This first day no break in... Better low level detail.
My main claim i I wanted the pure copper plugs, since my Duplex (Furutech GTX) are pure copper too. To me they weren’t worth it without being on sale... Since I had mostly Pangea AC14SE mk2 Signature... well now they are,
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I recently upgraded from stock line cords for entirely different reasons than sound. My wife got tired of looking at all the black power cords hanging down behind the rack, so I bought the Pangea cables as a cosmetic upgrade. They were the best looking cables I could find for a low price. I did the entire rack in one month. It looks great and now I have a happy wife. Remember, Happy Wife = Happy Life.
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After a day breaking 2 in on the amp and power conditioner, I moved the Pangea AC14XL to the preamps. The sound improved a bit, adding a bit of happy to the treble sound.
Got a few more arriving today. They too will get put on the amp and power conditioner for a day.. Then one on Marantz SA-10, and I have to play with the other two. |
I have 3 14XL ,one 15 feet long , notable jump up from other 14's .
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A few weeks later.. I bought 12 Pangea AC14XL power cords.Definite improvement over the AC14SE mk2 Signature.I am using the XL on the amp and the power conditioner as they are way better sounding than the AC9SE mk2 Signature. A lot more clarity.
One thing I highly recommend is cleaning out the IEC holes in the cord IEC plug. There is s ton of crud in the IEC plug.
First I pluck off 2/3 of the cotton.then flatten a dozen Q-Tip with a pliers. need the type with a paper stick. Then I use Meguiars Scratch X automotive finish stuff and put some on the Q-Tip. stick down the holes. rub around. black crud comes out. (I will pluck off some of the dirty cotton and use it more) repeat. maybe repeat third time! Then I use Caig ’RED’ cleaner preservative... brush in, use another Q-Tip to rub around. More black gunk. repeat. Then final use Caig Gold new Q-Tip rub a little . done. also polish the blade tips (which also leave a lot of black gunk at first) with the Scratch X and Caig Gold them too.
By the way they are still on sale as of 01/01/2019 |
Of all the Pangea Xl power cords, I do not like the XL on the amplifier. at it was too something compared to the old cord. (direct from the wall) Put back the home made with DH Labs $8 ft wire, and Furutech ’28’ type Rhodium plugs. Just a little warmer (also fuzzier...) sounding final product. The rest of the Pangea AC14XL seem fine. Great clarity.
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I am using both AC14 and AC14se mk2. While the AC14 sounds pretty balanced, the ac14se mk2 sounds really warm, veiled, and rolled off. The ac14 sounds better to me, airier and more balanced. Is this anyone's experience? I am alternately using these cables on my dac. The 14se mk2 was purchased used, and should be fully burned in. Is more burn in needed?
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Have you ever cleaned out the inside of the IEC plug? That may be really dirty inside.
Does the AC14SE have shiny BLUE THREADS.. woven into the cord cover? YOU should be able to see them flash in bright light. Not a lot of them, but woven throughout the cord cover.The blue threads are only in the Mk2 version. and is the only way to tell mk2 or original AC14SE.
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Yes mine are mk2, they have the blue threads. |
Also any cord. and includes the Pangea, may take a few days to break in all over again IF it had sat for awhile (months)
So yes I would give it a week before dumping it. Put it on your TV.. or some other appliance if you can. Even the amplifier...
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