purist vs. concierto vs. elrod vs dcca power cable


I am trying to upgrade my power cables for my system, which consists of first sound MKII preamp, cary MB500 monoblocks, MBL1531 CD player with shunyata hydra 8 and richard gray 1200s power conditioning. I've heard some very positive things about the cords listed above. I am looking for a little extra warmth with exceptional detail and soundstaging, and a bit more bottom end fullness (but not mushiness)--not audiophile terms, I know, but descriptive, I think. What do you all think?
tcheathertree
tried DCCA Source cord on the cdp. haven't tried the others you mentioned.
the "Source" is heavy, very stiff and will be tough to work with if space is limited.
In my system it presented more of a general sonic picture rather than drawing everything clearer and individualizing instruments and performers within the soundstage. Soundstaging depth was pretty decent. Overall sonics and the sonic picture did not appeal to me though. As far as I know, Don from DCCA is usually able to adjust the sonics of his power cords, but I didn't want to bother so I sold it.
Just didn't work out for me in my system.

I like the sound of Shunyata power cables so I recommend these. I am using Python VX on the cdp and Taipan Helix Alpha on the preamp with Audience powerChord on the amp and am very happy with the sound. Also, all of these cords are flexible, light and easy to maneuver and in my system perform extremely well.
Hello Tcheathertree,

Sorry to be getting in on this thread rather late, but here are some more thoughts on your post.

I have owned many of the DCCA products and would agree with Tvad that they are transparent in nature with excellent detail and dimensionality across the audio spectrum. Personally, having owned one Purist Dominus fluid filled pc, it was for my tastes too dark in presentation, but as you will read in many posts YMMV depending on what components you are using with any given pc. Let your own ears be the guide here.

I would tend to disagree with Audphile on the following points:

1) The stiffness that he experienced with the "Source" pc was not what I experienced. Perhaps he didn't have the newest version but the Source that I have is stiff in the middle but very flexible on the ends to make placement rather easy IMO.

2) I also found that with the Source pc on my preamp, it provided excellent detail on recordings. I have a pair of Magnepan Tympani 4a's and with the source in the mix the soundstage is wide and deep with all of the detail that I could ever want.

Audphile stated that the sonics did not appeal to him which of course is his prerogative. There is no perfect pc for every situation or every system. The fact that Don at DCCA is willing to "adjust the sonics" of his pc's to fit your musical ear and system IMO speaks volumes about customer service. I would bet money that neither Purist nor Elrod will do the same. He also offers a demo program so what is to lose here if you choose to give them a try.

At any rate, I wish you the best of luck with finding the perfect pc's for your system.

Happy Listening,

Scifi

The fact that DCCA gets mentioned in the company of all these other excellent cables is in itself a testament to the sonic and build qualities of the DCCA power cables.

I've owned Audience, Virtual Dynamics, CPCC, TG Audio, Wolff, and VH Audio power cables and auditioned Epiphany and Shunyata cords in my system and I wouldn't trade my DCCA power cables for any of them. The DCCA give me all the fullness and warmth that I need in my system, but maintain the tranparency, detail and air that is evident on fine recordings.

Couple the sonic qualities with good pricing and the commendable customer service that DCCA gives (not to mention the trial period), I am one happy customer!
Scifi, my bad I did not bring up that the cord was more flexible at the ends. I did have the latest version.

I also failed to mention that the "Source" was a better fit on my preamp than ot was on the cd player. I did end up using it on the preamp towards the end before I sold it.

There is definately no universal power cord for every system and every listener. Shunyata cords in my system seem to provide the sonics I like.
having tried all but the dcca pc in my system i can say ..without stuttering...that the jps 'aluminata' is far superior to 3 of the 4 above..it is more expensive but will probably be much better then the others in your system and 'the cable company' has them to audition..which is how i started buying the ones that i now own...i,too,own a fs preamp..a paramount mkII and they sound fantastic on the power supplies...just my thoughts..there is a current review of the 'aluminatas' in the current stereophile magazine