Black Sand Silver Reference MKV/Chromium Power Cords

earlmarc · « **on:** 4 Sep 2006, 06:21 pm »

Has anyone upgraded to the Silver Ref. MKV and compared it to the MKIV? And has anyone tried the new Chromium power cord? I will be upgrading two MKIV to MKV and trialing the new Chromium. I currently use the Violet and White Light on preamp and CD source. I've discussed with John in the past about combining the attributes of the Violet and White Light. The Chromium is alot of the White Light and a little of the Violet. I felt that the White Light was more open with a wider soundstage than the Violet, and that the Violet provided better definition and dynamics. If the Chromium accomplishes a balanced mixture of the White Light and Violet, it should be an excellent cord.

RAW · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Oct 2006, 06:10 am »

Just a heads up for you if you have not seen the info on Blacksand siter.
We will be having the Silver series power cables for our complete room at RMAF in Denver this week.

yo2tup · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Oct 2006, 07:18 pm »

Quote from: earlmarc on 4 Sep 2006, 06:21 pm

Has anyone upgraded to the Silver Ref. MKV and compared it to the MKIV? And has anyone tried the new Chromium power cord? I will be upgrading two MKIV to MKV and trialing the new Chromium. I currently use the Violet and White Light on preamp and CD source. I've discussed with John in the past about combining the attributes of the Violet and White Light. The Chromium is alot of the White Light and a little of the Violet. I felt that the White Light was more open with a wider soundstage than the Violet, and that the Violet provided better definition and dynamics. If the Chromium accomplishes a balanced mixture of the White Light and Violet, it should be an excellent cord.

Any feedback on these? Specifically the MKIV to MKV upgrade, and MKV vs. the Violet

earlmarc · « **Reply #3 on:** 1 Nov 2006, 11:54 pm »

I should have a set of Silver Ref. MarkVs and the Chromuim V1 cords in a couple of days. I'll let you know my impressions compared to the MarkIV Silv. Ref., White Light V1, and Violet.

earlmarc · « **Reply #4 on:** 4 Nov 2006, 05:22 am »

Silver Ref. MKV and Chromuim cords arrived today. Will be testing them this weekend.

yo2tup · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 Nov 2006, 05:31 am »

denjo · « **Reply #6 on:** 4 Nov 2006, 07:10 am »

Earlmarc

Are the MkV's you are trying with the silver iAG Wattgatte plugs?

Dennis

earlmarc · « **Reply #7 on:** 4 Nov 2006, 07:27 am »

Quote from: denjo on 4 Nov 2006, 07:10 am

Earlmarc

Are the MkV's you are trying with the silver iAG Wattgatte plugs?

Dennis

I havn't opened the box yet, but I believe the standard connecters are the Wattgate Silver Terminations. I didn't request any other connecters.

denjo · « **Reply #8 on:** 4 Nov 2006, 11:24 am »

Earlmarc

Thanks! Looking forward to your impressions between the two. I bought the Mk IV Silver Ref after I read your review of the cable some time back and feel that they are really excellent PCs! John is excellent with service and advice!

Best Regards
Dennis

earlmarc · « **Reply #9 on:** 4 Nov 2006, 11:13 pm »

For any of you on the fense about upgrading to the Silver Ref. Mark V or Chromium, jump over the fense! John is too humble. The new cords are at another level compared to the Silver Ref. MarkIV and White Light V1. I have about 10hrs on them so far, and they already sound better than the older versions quite noticeably. Its not subtle! I'll give a more detail review later in critic's circle.

earlmarc · « **Reply #10 on:** 5 Nov 2006, 04:51 pm »

The last time I danced with my wife was at her brother's wedding about six months ago. Its been years since I danced with her in the house. Today after letting the power cables burn-in overnight, I put one of her favorite CD's in, Sade's "Lovers Rock". She wanted to dance, just out of bed. Wow! I was surprised. "Lover's Rock" is a great CD for highlighting bass performance. The Silv. Ref. Mark V and Chromuim brought that CD to life.

Carlman · « **Reply #11 on:** 5 Nov 2006, 05:47 pm »

I'm glad you're taking the time to compare and write a review, Earlmarc.

I too have been very impressed with Black Sand Cable and John. I only have 2 MKV silver Ref's and 2 Violets and they're all in use at the same time. I didn't have much to compare them to. John was a true pleasure to work with and his cables are very well-crafted.

The Black Sand Cable + Runnings Springs Audio Haley combo is a truly wonderful combo for me.

Currently, I'm running:
Dedicated line->Porter Port outlet->BSC Silver Ref->RSA Haley then;
Silver Ref to the amp...
Violets to preamp and audio PC.

I'm comparing the Silver Ref straight into the outlet vs. into the Haley at the moment.

Looking forward to your detailed review...

-Carl

earlmarc · « **Reply #12 on:** 5 Nov 2006, 05:58 pm »

Carlman I'm using the following cords in these places:

Silv. Ref. MKIV with 20amp IEC from Sound Application XE-12S to Sound Application Outlet
Silv Ref. MKV's for mono-block amplifiers
Violet Z1 for CD player
Chromuim V1 for preamplifier

I think you should try the Chromuim on your preamplifier. I prefer it over the Violet on the preamp. Same detail and dynamics with more transparency into soundstage.

Carlman · « **Reply #13 on:** 5 Nov 2006, 06:02 pm »

Thanks for the tip... I'll give the Chromium a shot.. I have one of those on my office system.

I haven't had a lot of free time to do audio-comparing until recently... so, I'll try anything when I have a chance!

yo2tup · « **Reply #14 on:** 6 Nov 2006, 06:00 am »

Quote from: earlmarc on 5 Nov 2006, 05:58 pm

Carlman I'm using the following cords in these places:

Silv. Ref. MKIV with 20amp IEC from Sound Application XE-12S to Sound Application Outlet
Silv Ref. MKV's for mono-block amplifiers
Violet Z1 for CD player
Chromuim V1 for preamplifier

I think you should try the Chromuim on your preamplifier. I prefer it over the Violet on the preamp. Same detail and dynamics with more transparency into soundstage.

Can you give a little comparison of the Violet vs MKV on the amp? I'm currently running violet on my amp and source, so i'm wondering what type of improvement the MKV would be. Thanks!

earlmarc · « **Reply #15 on:** 6 Nov 2006, 11:15 am »

Yo2up, I'm not sure what improvement you would notice between the Violet and Sil. Rev. Mark V on your amplifier. I've not tried the Violet on my amplifiers. However, that withstanding, am familiar with both cords and am comfortable stating that the Mark V would offer better bass performance with a lower noise floor with better depth of soundstage. The Violet may offer slightly better definition. I prefer the Violet on source and preamplifier because of its ability to reveal details.

Carlman · « **Reply #16 on:** 8 Nov 2006, 01:49 pm »

Quote from: earlmarc on 5 Nov 2006, 05:58 pm

I think you should try the Chromuim on your preamplifier. I prefer it over the Violet on the preamp. Same detail and dynamics with more transparency into soundstage.

WOW

You were totally correct on that. Great call, many thanks.

I did not expect much difference but holy cow, dude. The one thing I noticed was more silence around things... more realness as well. I'm going to have to re-do the experiment just to be sure that's all I did... but I'm hesitant to touch anything as good as it sounds at the moment.

earlmarc · « **Reply #17 on:** 9 Nov 2006, 12:47 am »

[/quote]

WOW

You were totally correct on that. Great call, many thanks.

I did not expect much difference but holy cow, dude. The one thing I noticed was more silence around things... more realness as well. I'm going to have to re-do the experiment just to be sure that's all I did... but I'm hesitant to touch anything as good as it sounds at the moment.

[/quote]

I'm glad I could help. If you want even more, I'd suggest trying SilverFi MarkII versions of the Purple or Black Series cables. I 'd could arrange a trial for you if interested.

Carlman · « **Reply #18 on:** 9 Nov 2006, 01:21 am »

Thanks for the offer but I just ordered 2 more Chromium's from John... I've already got the Silver Ref MK V's on the amp and conditioner. One of the new Chromium's is going on the audio PC and the other is going on the office amp... or I may use it for the 'flavor of the month' gear I tend to have rotating through the system.

If I get into more cord-comparing I may just take you up on the audition.

-C

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #19 on:** 9 Nov 2006, 01:34 am »

Carl.....The SilverFi's are IC's....they are very good....check them out.

Chris