Power cords for D200s

mfsoa · « **on:** 4 Jun 2006, 03:50 am »

Hi,
Has anyone used VHAudio Flavor 4s on their D200s?
Thinking of upgrading from the Volex.

Thanks!!

zybar · « **Reply #1 on:** 4 Jun 2006, 07:34 am »

Quote from: mfsoa

Hi,
Has anyone used VHAudio Flavor 4s on their D200s?
Thinking of upgrading from the Volex.

Thanks!!

I am a very big fan of Chris' products, but if you are going to upgrade, I would seriously consider the Black Sand Silver Reference.

I just spent weeks listening to the Silver Reference vs. VH Audio AirSine on a DNA-500 (search AC for my thoughts) and I am pretty confident the Silver Reference will better the Flavor 4 in EVERY way.

BTW, I have been using the Black Sand Silver Reference cords on a pair of D-200's and it was a very good combination.

George

mfsoa · « **Reply #2 on:** 4 Jun 2006, 02:40 pm »

tvad4 - I read your reply to my wife and she cracked up "I love that man!" was her reply! You are perceptive and correct that we often want the comforting pat on the back before a purchase, but I'm still really tire-kicking. Also thinking about a needed preamp upgrade, which, as you are right about again, will yield a bigger improvement than the PCs. But the upgrade itch is easier to scratch when less money is involved, even if it is not the most logical place to start!

George - thanks for the advice

Double Ugly · « **Reply #3 on:** 4 Jun 2006, 02:51 pm »

Quote from: zybar

I am a very big fan of Chris' products, but if you are going to upgrade, I would seriously consider the Black Sand Silver Reference.

I agree. I've had the same aftermarket PCs in my system for over 2 years; once I find what I'm searching for, I'm not quick to change. But I was recently offered an opportunity to audition the Silver Reference w/o cost or obligation, and figured it wouldn't hurt to broaden my horizons. I was wrong.

The Black Sand Silver Reference is the best power cord I've had in my system, and I will likely be ordering 3 cords from John.

mfsoa · « **Reply #4 on:** 5 Jun 2006, 02:37 am »

No, no dedicated lines yet. My breaker box has only one or two unused spots, so I need to upgrade the box first, then run a few dedicated lines to my 2CH room (all the way on the other side of the house), then heck might as well run some to my HT room - So you see the $$ adds up quickly.
FWIW (and this is speculation) I live on a long dead end dirt road w/ 2 houses past me. I have my own transformer at the street. I don't have anything else plugged into the single circuit I use for the 2CH room (no idea what ground is shared with) and perhaps the efficiency of the CIA amps makes it relatively less critical to have truly dedicated lines? Wishful thinking, perhaps, but my electrical supply just has to be better than the horror stories some "city-folk" talk about.
Thanks for hearing me out. Made an offer on a pre tonight - we'll see.
I gotta get around to posting some pics soon - I've never done that before and the room is coming together!

HumanMedia · « **Reply #5 on:** 8 Jun 2006, 01:59 am »

Ive been comparing the VH Audio Flavor 4 with the Volex on the D200s.

My impressions were that the Flavor 4 seemed warmer and less detailed, while the Volex colder in the midrange but more detailed and a bit louder.

To double check that I was remembering things correctly from each session of cable swaps, I tried putting a volex on just one of the D200s, and the Flavor 4 on the other. The difference was noticeable with a definite softness with the Flavor 4 and an asymmetry between each side. Then swapped sides and noted if the difference went with the swap. It did (so much for 'power cords not making a difference').

I felt that the Volex was a little cold and the Flavor 4 a little warm. A cross between the would be nice. So I tried the Flavor 4 to a Eichmann power strip with the Volex's to the D200's and put a Flavor 4 upstream on the sources. (sacrilege I know but Im moving soon and dont want to spend on dedicated outlets just yet) The combination is spot on and added just the right amount of warmth to the Volex without losing detail (as Flavor 4 all round seemed to do), and I will be keeping this arrangement.

So, I wouldnt say that the Flavor 4 is a definite upgrade to the Volex on the D200's but it is definitely different, so if I were you I would put the money into that preamp and depending on its sonic character consider a single cord on it which could compliment those cheap but adequate Volex's on the D200's.

That said Im very interested in trying the Black Sand Silver references on the D200's.

gongos · « **Reply #6 on:** 8 Jun 2006, 03:38 am »

I'm using a pair of DIY cables from cryo-parts.com that sound pretty nice with my D-200's. Cryomax II AC Cable and Furutech connecters.

HumanMedia · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 Jun 2006, 09:34 am »

Quote from: HumanMedia

That said Im very interested in trying the Black Sand Silver references on the D200's.

Breaking in some Black Sand Silver references on the D200's now. Will report back soon on how they rate.

Psychicanimal · « **Reply #8 on:** 2 Jul 2006, 09:49 pm »

Since these are extremely well designed digital amps, I'd definitely try the new version of the Absolute Power Cord. If they give you good results (after working on power delivery/noise control first, of course) then I would send them to proper cryogenic treatment. I suggest you keep the change to take your wife on a short one night vacation....

Dusty is not a fan of expensive power cords and with good reason. I own three of his pieces (DAC, passive pre & Monolithic PS-1 phono). In my system, the phono stage's dual mono power supply uses a Jena Labs LN2 immersion cryo'ed Absolute Power Cord and it is a really good match. I am a power delivery/noise control freak, though. The power delivery/noise control gear takes the largest chunk of my audio budget--around $7K list!

I have used several Ven Haus Flavor 4's in my system and Beta tested the Pulsar digital. All I'm saying is, 'start by spending less'. You can always spend more in this hobby. In my system the Flavor 4's performed *stellar* with my Clear Image T4 quad isolation transformer/filter arrays. Some $unny day...

***

Nick B · « **Reply #9 on:** 5 Jul 2006, 01:41 am »

I've joined the D200 club

Got a great deal on a used pair on Agon recently. Thanks Rajacat for spotting the ad. It comes with the stock power cords and I'd like to try the Volex, part # 17604. This is shielded and I prefer the two meter length. If anyone has a pair they don't need, please PM me. I may also get another PCK13Q kit from Ernie and see which pair I like better.

gregobrien · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 Dec 2006, 10:46 pm »

Hi Guys,
Can somebody tell me, can the Black Sliver Sand Reference P/C be purchased online as I live in Ireland, and have no way of gettin products.
Thanks,
Gregobrien

Occam · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 Dec 2006, 11:06 pm »

Nick - For an inexpensive source for those Volex cords -
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=15325.0
You need to spend $25 with Carleton-Bates to avoid handling charges...

Nick B · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Dec 2006, 12:50 am »

Well, this is an older thread. I am living happily with my D200's and the new Volex cords I purchased a few months ago. Quite a bargain for those cords. Tvad's response had me scurrying to the online dictionary to find out what penurious meant. Cheap is a good word too.