Introduction: I was flattered to be chosen to do a review after responding to David Wei’s post on AudioCircle soliciting a reviewer for his new IeGO power cord. The alloyed wire and construction of his cable is exotic and intriguing with IeGO’s proprietary plugs. It is available in both an alloyed copper and silver plated copper version. In spite of the fact that some consider the power cord affect voodoo, there’s no denying they can change the character of sound, and that they did. So, when the cables were ready to ship, David notified me by Email with tracking number and 5 days later USPS delivered the package to my Houston home. Thank you David for this opportunity.
Info Link:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=50328.0Initial impressions: It’s a rarity that when you introduce a component to your system that right off the bat it’s a winner. Such was the case with the quality built and packaged IeGO copper alloyed power cord. The cables are heavy yet flexible and IeGO’s plugs provide a tight secure contact.
After about an 200+ hour burn-in the IeGo was introduced to the new ICE power amp. Not intending a serious A/B listen, I frumped down in the chair with what I would consider a sonically mediocre CD that I liked anyway. As it started up, wife followed suit and took the secondary chair. Immediately something had changed, my attention became focused, then more so. I looked at wife who was nodding “yes” and I smiled.
What have we here? A PC that played well with a high powered,
unforgiving, dynamic power plant. ICE power is and has been controversial and feeding it with totally neutral MAC Palladium ICs can be interpreted as suicide. In some ways yes, but an ideal platform to judge a power cord, it reacts with sometimes wincing results.
Our previous Odyssey Stratos was “at home” with the brute VH Audio
Flavor 4, great increase in detail, focus, soundstage, and slam. Not so with the ICE it became edgy and rough. Next was the MAC PC on the Odyssey, nope it veiled everything…but it worked on the ICE. Except one niggling problem that on many CDs strings and horns could easily step over the line in being a little too sharp and edgy. Further, the mids were simply not as rich or full bodied as the core of the music. Enter the IeGO PC, smile.
Conclusion: What did we hear? First and most important the mids were liquid, richer….more musical. Previously edgy strings and obnoxious horns were now pleasant, richer in color and texture. There was no loss in that wonderful ICE detail or instrument separation in fact a discernable increase, with an increased soundstage all the way around. And bam, the bass slam hit and was gone that fast. Most importantly the soup had it’s crunch and distinct individual flavors but with a presentation of it all coming together as one, blended, and aged as a fine wine.
NB: The silver plated version presents the same qualities but with
a slightly softer presentation. As noted from David “best for components that tend to be bright”. The copper remains on our system.
