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Power Cord Flavors

Someone recently sent me an e-mail asking about warm and fullbodied power cords versus neutral, clear and extended power cords. I thought I'd post my opinion, and ask others to share theirs, too.

My system is tubes: VAC Phi 110/110, First Sound Presence Depuxe II, APL Denon 3910

Warm and full bodied in my system=
Purist Audio Dominus w/Fluid
Elrod EPS-3 Signature
Revelation Audio Precept
VH Audio Airsine

Neutral, clear and extended=
Shunyata Python and Anaconda
Electraglide Epiphany
Ridge Street Poiema!!!
Audio Indulgence Alpine Lace
TG Audio SLVR and 688
Z Squared
Absolute power cord

That's a scary list of power cords. I'm kind of shocked at how many I've owned and tried.
tvad
guidocorona
4,114 posts
 
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.
tvad OP
9,467 posts
 
Thanks for the review, Guidocorona. You may send me three Shunyata Anaconda Helix PCs for Christmas - two Alpha and one Vx.

Thanks in advance!
guidocorona
4,114 posts
 
Sure thing Grant. . . was that order with supersized fries as well?
sabertouch
26 posts
 
No one has mentioned the Harmonix power cords. How would their sound be characterized?
Joe
snook2's avatar
snook2
608 posts
 
Harmonix seemed to bring a bit more life out of my cd player.I heard no difference on the amps (Manley 250's and Dartzeel) compared to the stock cord. I am not over enthusiastic over what i get out of 1k plus cord as most. I never heard a big boost when i kept switching cords. Shutting down a component then changing a cord then repowering should change the sound. One cord that I did hear more dynamic sound was the audio tekne.
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