Power Cord help

Bob15 · « **on:** 17 Mar 2005, 01:38 am »

Looking for an upgrade in my stock power cord for my amp with a budget under $500. Anyone familar with Harmonic Technology's Fantasy AC-10 Power cord? I've read some amazing things on this one.

Thanks in Advance!

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #1 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 01:50 am »

I use to own a Virtual Dynamics NITE PC - very nice! They sometimes show up on Audigon for about what you are looking to pay, but now I'm switching over to battery power. In fact my new amp which should arrive within the next two days can be had for what you are willing to pay just for a PC.

Eric · « **Reply #2 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 02:35 am »

For right at 500 you can get a TG Audio SLVR. I highly recommend them

Levi · « **Reply #3 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 03:06 am »

I would suggest SignalCable MagicPower for $59. Save the rest of the money for something else.

Quote from: Bob15

Looking for an upgrade in my stock power cord for my amp with a budget under $500. Anyone familar with Harmonic Technology's Fantasy AC-10 Power cord? I've read some amazing things on this one.

Thanks in Advance!

zybar · « **Reply #4 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 03:11 am »

VH Audio Flavor 4:

http://venhaus1.com/VH_Audio_Test.html

Besides being a killer power cord, Chris offers a 60 day period to try in your own system and make sure it has the magic you are looking for.

George

PhilNYC · « **Reply #5 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 03:32 am »

You should definitely try things out before buying if you can. Generally I've found that amps are the least sensitive to power cords of all components if you can at least get the proper gauge (at least 12awg for an amp of decent power)...but if you want to fine-tune, how they behave specifically in your situation is something you can only judge by trying...

zybar · « **Reply #6 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 03:38 am »

Quote from: PhilNYC

You should definitely try things out before buying if you can. Generally I've found that amps are the least sensitive to power cords of all components if you can at least get the proper gauge (at least 12awg for an amp of decent power)...but if you want to fine-tune, how they behave specifically in your situation is something you can only judge by trying...

Interesting Phil...

I have found my McCormack DNA-500 to be very sensitive to power cords. In fact, I was a little suprised how different cords made it sound.

We also heard similar results when Bob had his H20 amp over.

As always, your mileage may vary....

George

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 03:43 am »

My experimenting with power cords mirrors Phils- at least on the various amps/systems I've tried them on. PC's make a difference on amps, but not as big as on the preamp or digital. But as Phil says, you got to try em in your system to know.

Bob15 · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 03:48 am »

Thanks for the responses so far - keep 'em coming.

But:

1. Does that mean you are all not familar with Harmonic Technology's cords or you are, but these are better?

2. Also, I spoke to both some dealers and the owner I think from a company called JPS Labs and they both told me that with power cords the biggest most noticeable difference would be to "start with the amp" and then the transport and last the processor.

muralman1 · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 03:49 am »

The H2O is a special case. For best results one needs multiply shielded cables on all components. That's a small price to pay.

I make my own power cables using Belden shielded cables, and Marinko plugs. It works out to about $40 for a four foot cable.

I think all systems can benefit from shielded cables.

bubba966 · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 09:49 am »

Quote from: Bob15

Looking for an upgrade in my stock power cord for my amp with a budget under $500. Anyone familar with Harmonic Technology's Fantasy AC-10 Power cord?

Yeah, I've had experience with that cord.

It's a fairly decent cord. But it wasn't as good as a Bolder Cables Nitro Plus w/Furutech plugs. http://www.boldercables.com/Store.asp?m=TheBolderCableCompany&n=10&k=123417&s=AC+Power

The Nitro Plus had better clarity & detail to it. Overall was just a better sounding PC.

JLM · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 10:51 am »

Digital components are the most sensitive to power related issues.

Element Cables is another DIY inspired, inexpensive option (similar to Signal Cables).

Do you know what the wiring is like feeding your wall receptacle? (Why spend hundreds when typically it's only 14 gauge Romex with no special grounding and the receptacle itself is a cheapy contractor's special? Whats the electrical service like to your home/neighborhood? Chances are you'd be putting diamond ear rings on a pig.)

I agree with above, save your money (or buy new/cheaper PCs for the entire system). Fortunately I'm all battery powered (except for the transport and that could change). My customized 6 wpc Clari-T integrated didn't cost much more than the PC you're looking at.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #12 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 12:25 pm »

Tough subject....and very subjective.

I've begun to believe that most of the benfits of power cords are mostly the shielding....and the closer to RF sources ou are, the more benefit you get from power cords. I use the LAT International 10 ga. cords ($200 or so) all around and I am very pleased.

The ones I've tried higher and lower priced to it just seemed like that they were taste dependent..not necessarily better or worse.

That said, I have a buddy that swears by the Revelation Audio Labs Precept cords....$399 and $799, depending on the one you choose. All solid core silver, well shielded, cryo'ed with Furutech ends and use of ERS clothe sounds a might interesting to me.

That is, unless I go battery all the way....

PhilNYC · « **Reply #13 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 12:45 pm »

Quote from: zybar

Interesting Phil...

I have found my McCormack DNA-500 to be very sensitive to power cords. In fact, I was a little suprised how different cords made it sound.

We also heard similar results when Bob had his H20 amp over.

As always, your mileage may vary....

George

George...would you happen to remember the gauge of the cords you tried with the McCormack?

PhilNYC · « **Reply #14 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 01:19 pm »

Quote from: Bob15

Thanks for the responses so far - keep 'em coming.

But:

1. Does that mean you are all not familar with Harmonic Technology's cords or you are, but these are better?

2. Also, I spoke to both some dealers and the owner I think from a company called JPS Labs and they both told me that with power cords the biggest most noticeable difference would be to "start with the amp" and then the transport and last the processor.

I've not heard the specific HT cord you mentioned, but am quite certain it would be an improvement over the stock cord, since most stock cords suck.

As far as where the cord is more effective, my understanding is that amps usually have a more sophisticated power supply than other components, with faster/better rectifiers et al. So they tend to be less susceptible to power variations. In my experience with a limited variety of amplifiers, I find myself in agreement with this explanation. Of course, some amps may not use great power supplies, in which case they may be more sensitive to power cords...

Bob15 · « **Reply #15 on:** 18 Mar 2005, 01:28 am »

Quote from: JLM

Digital components are the most sensitive to power related issues.

Element Cables is another DIY inspired, inexpensive option (similar to Signal Cables).

Do you know what the wiring is like feeding your wall receptacle? (Why spend hundreds when typically it's only 14 gauge Romex with no special grounding and the receptacle itself is a cheapy contractor's special? Whats the electrical service like to your home/neighborhood? Chances are you'd be putting diamond ear rings on a pig.)

I agree with ...

I have 3 Dedicated Wattgate 20amp 24K Gold Plated Outlets.
Internal wiring is the 10 gauge solid core cryo-treated Hot/Neutral/Ground 600v copper from Ridge Street Audio Design - Has anyone had experience with this wiring?

I am going to do my own shootout attended by my average ordinary friends. It will be the stock cord against the JPS Labs Power AC+, the Harmonic Technology Fantasy AC-10, and Venhaus Flavor 4.

I note that the Harmonic Technology cord received huge kudos from Bound For Sound and they have no advertising interests whatsoever I understand.

Bob15 · « **Reply #16 on:** 20 Mar 2005, 02:12 am »

QUESTION:

Does it make sense to upgrade power cables for the DVD player and the Pre/Pro only to run them through a line conditioner rather than directly to the dedicated wall outlet? The line conditioner in this case is the HTPS7000.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #17 on:** 20 Mar 2005, 02:48 am »

Quote from: Bob15

QUESTION:

Does it make sense to upgrade power cables for the DVD player and the Pre/Pro only to run them through a line conditioner rather than directly to the dedicated wall outlet? The line conditioner in this case is the HTPS7000.

Yes. Power cords and dedicated AC lines don't really do anything to actually filter noise from your AC, whereas filtering is the job of a power conditioner. Power cords and AC lines are there to transmit your AC unimpeded.

bacobits1 · « **Reply #18 on:** 20 Mar 2005, 03:53 am »

I have just recently replaced all my PC's with cryoed Asylum Cables. Subjective yes and I'm cheap. But these are nice

DIY Cable has them too.

http://www.cryo-parts.com/pckit.html

Den

chadh · « **Reply #19 on:** 20 Mar 2005, 04:40 am »

This whole power cable thing has me confused.

Specifically, many people (in this thread and in other places) seem to feel that shielded power cords are inherently superior to unshielded ones. Is this a generally accepted notion? And is there any science behind it? (Honestly, I don't even know what shielding is. I only know that manufacturers differentiate their cables on the basis of shielding).

I suspect that there is no universally held preference for shielded cables. For example, one post in this thread recommended the Bolder Cables super nitro. I think this is an unshielded cable. Certainly, the standard nitro is unshielded, and Wayne claims that this makes the cable very "fast".

I guess what I'm wondering is whether I'm missing something by using unshielded cables on my gear. (I know, I know...the only way I will know is to listen to some other cables and find out! But it seems there's no reason to reinvent the wheel....that is, if this "wheel" has truly been invented).

Chad