Power Cord Flavors

TVAD, I guess the reason why I do not like the word neutral very much is that it has a certain connotation of lack of character, which is something I would never accuse the Epiphany nor the Python Helix of.
In my view the Epiphany has a lot of transient energy, reasonably well distributed, and only slightly shifted towards the treble compared to the Python Helix VX. This makes the Epiphany particularly well suited for music of a percussive nature, especially where higher pitch percussion instruments are used, or whenever its especially open tymbre is desired. The only situation where the slight softening of bass register transients could have been perceived as a problem was in a slight lack of resonance from the lower two piano octaves in fast passages or chords.
However, this energy shift towards the upper register appears to me more pronounced in sustained notes. In particular, I noticed that in Rostropovitch's performance of the Bach cello suites the G and C strings do not resonate sufficiently, assuming instead a wooden quality, while the d string, and even more markedly the A string in the upper plaing positions had become somewhat harsh and almost winy, as in Jargar Forte strings on some lower cost instruments.

Thanks, Guido. I wish I had your ears.

i think it'd be interesting to comment on cable designs when you throw them into the neutral vs warm camps. for example, IME, i always find cables constructed with quality copper (high puriy) to fall into a warmer flavor vis a vis alternative materials (read: tin plated Cu; no one should make or use a power cord made of silver).

connectors (AC & IEC) are a big question mark to me. i do recall that any silver plating gives a tippiness that can be construed as detail or speed, and w/ a copper cable can make a nice combo. not sure about the more esoteric platings (rhombium, gold, yak's ass and all that other goofy crap).

previous poster was spot on re: importance of gauges. when modding a CDP long ago, i replaced internal AC wire w/ @ 12ga, and it sounded bloated and dull. when i cut it back to 18ga, it came back to life. i'm not surprised by the regular feedback re: nordost cables. thin as hell give speed & air, but lacking warmth (this is where some more appropriate connectors would fill in the gap)

shielding vs geometry is a tradeoff. but its a given that if it sheilded, and a thin cable, you'll lose stage. shields need to be spaced off the conductors...which given diameters of most cables, seems to be common knowledge these days...

Tvad, since I have been using this thread extensively as a great resource, I guess I should add my limited experience with some quite affordable PCs:

Zsquared Ultra - Neutral
Very nice cord for the Money, very detailed with maybe a slight emphasis of the treble. Great for a tube preamp or phonostage.

Audience PowerChord - Neutral/warm
This is kind of my reference chord for now. Very nice balance on an Audio Aero CDP. Detailed but still fairly warm.

VH Audio Flavor 2 - Fullbodied
Wonderful bass and a nice, fullbodied sound. Also, very nice improvement in dynamics when I used it on a Jolida 302b tube amp.

Van den Hul Mainsstream - Warm
Very warm sounding cord so far. To early to really make up my mind though.

Just my couple of 2c thrown in...

Rene

I have recently listened to both Anaconda Helix Alpha and the original Anaconda Alpha on the same system. My detailed observations can be read at:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?fcabl&1126432063&openfrom&40&4#40
While I much like the Helix over the original anaconda, and am very much in love with it, I am not sure that the apellation of either neutral or warm even fit the Helix series at all. The effect is much more that of a polarizing filter deepening and saturating sonic colors, letting more of the music through and cutting off that stray glare that seem prima face exciting, but is in reality nothing but distortions.