[Spirit]

DECWARE rebadges the MAC Soundpipe as their upgraded power cord. They list for $149 from both Decware and MAC (My Audio Cables)

There is a MAC PC up on Agon auctions right now. You can link to info from there.

Jim:
I see that on MACs site they list a few differnet PCs.  Do you know the difference between them?
BTW: Why not use Black Sand's throughout?

[Jim N.]

Spirit,

I won an auction for a MAC sampler (IC's, speaker cables, PC) and liked the power cord best. The Black Sand Violet are 12 AWG while the MAC are 10 AWG (roughly speaking the lower the number, the thicker the wire).

John's (Black Sand) are fine cords. I have his Arctic Blue and Violets. I just prefer them on my pre, sources and DAC's. They should work fine on a Stratos.

You can't go wrong with either one. Both are good value. Both companies offer excellent customer service. You have a lot of options with Black Sand while MAC has just the one length with no connector options.

Decware rebadges the MAC as their upgraded power cord. They list for 149.00 from both Decware and MAC (My Audio Cables) but I've waited for them on Audiogon auction.  Black Sand also lists B-Stock on Agon and also runs auctions regularly.

MAC has two models of PC, one for souces and the other for amps. Make sure you get the one for amps.

[JLM]

Volex, Element Cable, Signal Cable, and Blue Jean Cable are the "bang for the buck" audio cabling companies.  IMO until your system exceeds $10k these brands represent the end of the pool you (and I) belong in.

And before I dropped hundreds on power cords I'd make sure that you're using a good wall receptacle.  At least a 20 amp nickel plated hospital grade (for tighter fit and therefore better connection).  Hubbell and Acme are respected audio brands.  Even cryogenically treated you can pick one up for under $40.

I wonder if anyone can explain why the gauge of wire used in the power cord should be heavier than the house wiring that is bringing the electricity to the wall receptacle.  Residential building codes require 14 gauge for 15 amp circuits (typical) or 12 gauge for 20 amp circuits.  Codes also require copper wire, again why should the last 5 feet of wire be of any different material?  And what gauge/material is the wiring inside the amp?

And unless wall receptacle is on a dedicated line, the amp will be sharing the circuit with other loads, so the need for heavier gauge is reduced.

For the listening room in the house we built last year I had three 12 gauge/20 amp dedicated circuits run, each with a single 20 amp cryogenically treated hospital grade receptacle ($33 each).  In my simple system the source plugs into one and each of the monoblock power amps plug into the others.  BTW these three circuits are wired together to their own grounding rod.  As pricing for the electrical work was a flat fee I only paid $100 extra for the receptacles. 

Someday I may replace the power cords on my monoblocks with Element Cable Red Storms ($69 each) as the buzz here at AC suggest that they're a very good match (and I already use their interconnects and speaker cables).  But being "old school" I wouldn't spend more. 

[earlmarc]

I would like some opinions on the merits of purchasing upgraded power cords to replace the stock
power cords that I am using with my Odyssey Extreme Monos.
Good idea or waste of money?
If yes, what would be my best bang for the buckaroo?

I use Black Sand Silv. Ref. MKV PC on my Khartago Mono Extreme SE mono amplifiers with excellent results. I use the BS Chromium V1 on preamplifier and Violet Z1 on CD player. My opinion about PC, IC, and SC is that proper synergy among all cords is most important. The process is long and tedious and whatever works for you is your best option regardless of the brand of cord you use. I have listened to alot of cords, more than I care to mention. My experience has taught me that certain cords and components work very well together. The best cords I have tried on Odyssey amplifiers are Black Sand and SilverFi. Nothing I have tried touches this combination.

[tvad4]

I wonder if anyone can explain why the gauge of wire used in the power cord should be heavier than the house wiring that is bringing the electricity to the wall receptacle.  Residential building codes require 14 gauge for 15 amp circuits (typical) or 12 gauge for 20 amp circuits.  Codes also require copper wire, again why should the last 5 feet of wire be of any different material?  And what gauge/material is the wiring inside the amp?

There was an excellent explanation of this question on Audiogon within the past six months or so. I believe the author was "Nsgarch". You might find it by doing a search of the threads.

My ears have told me more than a few times that 10awg+ power cords contribute to better sound from amps...generally in  the area of dynamics, speed, and an overall bigger sound. I can't explain it, but for me, in my system, this has proven true.

I want to clarify something I said yesterday. I commented that MAC Sound Pipe was very good cabling. I made that comment with the misconception that it was the same as MACwire (the power cords originally supplied with Sound Applications power conditioners). They are not the same, as far as I know. I have not heard the MAC Sound Pipe wire. Still, for $50 or so, the 10awg power cord looks like a good value, and is certainly worth trying, especially if the manufacturer provides a 30 day trial period.

[Spirit]

Spirit,

I won an auction for a MAC sampler (IC's, speaker cables, PC) and liked the power cord best. The Black Sand Violet are 12 AWG while the MAC are 10 AWG (roughly speaking the lower the number, the thicker the wire).

John's (Black Sand) are fine cords. I have his Arctic Blue and Violets. I just prefer them on my pre, sources and DAC's. They should work fine on a Stratos.

You can't go wrong with either one. Both are good value. Both companies offer excellent customer service. You have a lot of options with Black Sand while MAC has just the one length with no connector options.

Decware rebadges the MAC as their upgraded power cord. They list for 149.00 from both Decware and MAC (My Audio Cables) but I've waited for them on Audiogon auction.  Black Sand also lists B-Stock on Agon and also runs auctions regularly.

MAC has two models of PC, one for souces and the other for amps. Make sure you get the one for amps.

Hey JimN-
I went on MACs site.  How do you contact them by email or by phone?  No contact info except for the MAC forum.

[TomS]

tvad - you are correct.  I have the Mac Delta cord (for sale) which is a different company.  I was using it with my Sound Application RLS because Jim Weil recommended it.  I think that particular Mac is out of business or gone underground now.  The Mac Sound Pipes are from a completely different company.  Tom

[Jim N.]

[quote/]
Hey JimN-
I went on MACs site.  How do you contact them by email or by phone?  No contact info except for the MAC forum.
[/quote]

You can save money by using the Audiogon auctions and being patient. Here's a link to one of the MAC cords currently on auction:
http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/auc.pl?cablpowr&1163472523

It may take a couple of weeks but you can save some money that way. Shipping to the lower 48 runs about 7 bucks. I don't know what it would be to Canada.

You can also e-mail them at myaudiocables@mac.com.

Spirit, as with all things here, YMMV (You mileage may vary). I'd say start with  inexpensive cords first.