Audioquest custom made triple weave design power cable (Storm Series).

I have been into audio since 1969 and have heard a good difference constantly when listening to components with a top upgraded cord, but I have held out until last week.  I got to spend time with Garth, Richard Vandersteen and Alex (formerly with Ayre adn now AQ) at Audio Connections in NJ.  Garth had the prototype of the Dragon, Hurricane and Thunder.  He also had his brand new Niagara 7000.  We were playing around after everyone left and I was floored at the positive difference those cords made.  They were in clear jackets at the time and Garth made considerable changes after that, but I knew that I was going to audition them when they came to market.  I have heard them on the top line MSB full system, Ayre, Audio Research, Rowland, DCS full stack and so many more.  I'm blown away.  I have heard a full high end system fronted by Rockport Lyra's that had the top Enklein cables at around 12k each I think.  I wish I had Dragon's or Hurricane's wiht me.   I really have LOVED what these cables do up and down the spectrum.  

For those who claim that any cable is the same because they all allow the current to flow, you haven't heard these or you are wrong.  Garth has measurements and you can easily try to down play what he's doing, but he's doing much more than just moving the current.  

The second time I heard them was in a blind test sort of.  My friend and I were listening in his top room where he had his best gear.  He then told me that he wanted me to hear a different amp with the system, but all he did was change the power cords.  I was shocked at what it did to the sound.  I asked if the new amp was a better model of the one we had been listening to.  He laughed and showed me the Thunder cord attached to teh same amp.  I left teh room again and he put on the Dragon high current and again, I was blown away.  Then he put on the Hurricane and it was DARN close to the Dragon (that's why I went with the Hurricane instead of the Dragon).  

It all depends on how good your gear is and what they are capable of giving you.

ctsooner,

I concur with your comments. I've tried several different power cords in my system with good results, but I prefer the Hurricane to all of them. My friend had the Hurricane and Dragon. He said, "it isn't a night and day difference, but if you have the money get the Dragon." I decided to go with all Hurricanes.

I almost went for the Dragon to be honest.  I probably should have for my short source to preamp/integrated connection, but I decided to go all Hurricane in the end as I only have the Vandersteen Quatro CT's and will probable get the new Vandersteen under 20k mono blocks once they come out and then I can get two high current Dragon's for them and not have to sell the Hurricanes for a loss etc...  

I wish I could bring my Hurricanes (once they arrive and burn in for 400 hours) to that Rockport fronted system to hear the differences, lol.  That won't happen though. ;) 

One thought for the op idea of 'making his own' In my experience home made cords cost a lot anyway, and are kind of a waste of time. They never are as good as the pros make, Plus they have ZERO resale value. I use some home made extension cords, (just to get my 20amp power to my stereo.. ) but other than that, I use manufactured cables.       ***** On other news about AQ... Sadly I am cheap. I just cannot get the money from my pocket into an AQ Tornado or Hurricane. I DID splurge on some (more, newer and way cheaper than the AQ ) Pangea. They also sound better than the early basic ones I had before.  I just stuck the AC9SE mk2 signature from breaking in on the Furman to the 'duplex to amp' location. Better than the (old original) AC9SE.   ******* Part of my issue with buying the Thunder/tornado/hurricane is I need a FOUR METER powercord for my amp. Thunder would be an even grand, The Tornado would be $1700, and a Hurricane would be $3200 for one powercord. If I sit and stew on it for awhile I might get the Tornado... maybe. Geoff is using hypnosis on me to buy a Hurricane, but I am resisting, LOL  Maybe after awhile I will borrow one or two from The Cable Co stash to try them out just to hear one

Last month I purchased four Audioquest Hurricane power cords for my
system. I put two Hurricanes on my Aesthetix Io Eclipse phono pre-amp
which has two power supplies and is a stand alone phono preamp and
two more Hurricanes on my Aesthetix Atlas Eclipse monobloc amps.
The rest of my system consists of Vandersteen Model 7 speakers, Basis
Debut Signature TT with the Super Arm 9 and Lyra Atlas cart. Other cables are AQ Everest bi-wired speaker cables and AQ Wild Blue Yonder
interconnects.
I was told by an AQ representative that break-in would probably be anywhere from 250 to 350 (or more) hours. Right now I'm at 260 hrs.
I cannot fully describe the impact that these cables have had on my
system. Every aspect of sound that one can think of has improved dramatically. I'll just use the old descriptive phase and say that a large
curtain has been lifted from the soundstage to reveal sense of reality
that I have never experienced. In some ways it is shocking.
I recently was looking at some old TAS magazines from the early 90s.
There were 10 reviews of equipment with a list of components for each
system used in one of the magazines. Out of the ten reviewers, only
one made any mention of power cords. The other nine only mentioned interconnects and speaker cables. The year was 1992.
Garth Powell has taken us to a new level reproductive sound that most
have not really experienced. I have attended one of his presentations
and would suggest that, if possible, all of you do the same.