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Power Cords Rule

Just finished another DIY power cable using Ohno Continuous Cast copper. This is the third cable added in the past two months, the first two for my ARC mono blocks, this latest for my Wadia 861SE CDP, now over ten years old. I am trying to wring every bit of performance from this player, modified by GNSC. This new cable has lifted that old player to a new plateau of sound stage and clarity; there's just more information in the music not previously heard. All of these cables have first replaced Transparent Reference AC cables, and, after those, three other DIY cables containing OCC copper but with a PVC dielectric not well-suited for AC cables, but vastly superior to the Transparents, circa 2002. My newest versions have polypropylene dielectric over a combined 8 AWG OCC copper, mated to Furutech rhodium plugs. All together, these AC cables have improved my system as much as upgrading the front end would have, IMO, and that would also require a pre-amp in going away from Wadia. And so, my fellow audiophiles, this is where it's at--get that clean power and those great power cables--make 'em yourself--all else depends more on that source of pure power than your other cables can achieve, good as they have to be, as well. Every piece of your system will improve with a purer current--any way you can get it.
128x128jafreeman
lacee
811 posts
 
I first discovered the magic of a better power cord in 1987.
I had Quad 63,but the Quad(thin as a hair)power cords weren't long enough.
So I got some cheap male ends and cobbled the old Quad IEC together with some 14 gauge solid core romex.

To my ears this was an improvement in body and dimension over the stock power cords.As it was to the next owner of those Quads who asked if the DIY PC's were for sale .

Now skip ahead about twenty years and I got into Annacondas and power conditioning and dedicated lines,with thanks to a friend who went that route a few months earlier.

I've never looked back.
It's really too bad some folks who claim to be music lovers still aren't hearing all the music they profess to love from their systems.

Power cords come in at various price points,but you can DIY .
Just don't cheap out on the connectors.

I would suggest the entry level Furutechs on some decent power cable wire.

Then as time and extra cash permit, upgrade those Furutechs to some of the better ones from them.

You can always re-use the entry cables you made elsewhere in a second system, Home theatre or to replace a few of those thrown in power cords some folks can't seem to part with.

I'll agree with you that the stock power cords will sound alright,but if the music really matters, you should investigate the power products that are needed to bring that music to you.
williewonka
1,826 posts
 
If you are into DIY give these a try

http://www.image99.net/blog/files/category-cable-construction.html

Got them on all my components...
- deeper better controlled bass
- bigger image
- improved dyamics

They are a little more complicated to make, but get easier after the first one :-)

The sonar quest connectors are great value also

Also upgrade the wall outlet

Regards
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
Yeah i've found in my system attention to AC power really pays off. In the last 6 months i've added a Furutech GTX-D(G)wpo, Gigawatt PC-3 SE Evo power conditioner & plan on upgrading my 3 main Jorma Prime pc's with cryo'd Oyaide M1/F1 connectors which should take those cables to the next level. So I can relate to wriging every last bit of performance out of your front end. Each part in the chain plays an important part in achieving a clean, stable power supply with excellent impulse response.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
14,147 posts
 
It might seem to be a bit of a troll but I have eliminated all of my power cords (I'm using portable battery powered players) and the sound quality is much better in every way. I'm out there and loving it, Jerry!
lacee
811 posts
 
I like the concept of battery power.I enjoyed my time with a Sutherland PHD,and at one time toyed with the idea of using gear from Vinnie Rossi and get off the grid.

But I'd already invested too much time and money on dedicated lines, upscale power cords and conditioners.And I finally got the Acoustats with the servo amps, so I am tied into the grid.But no regrets.I enjoy my system.

For someone just getting into the hobby or looking to upgrade from a modest set up, I think it would be well worth looking into.

But,nothing is perfect.
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