[jhm731]

Did Mr.Van Alstine get the power cords and install them?

If so, what are the results of his listening tests?

[Occam]

I shipped the cord to Frank via Priority Mail on Jan 5th, 20 days ago. I've not heard anything since.

-Paul

[zybar]

Paul,

Did he at least acknowledge receiving the cord?

I would expect that to be the minimum course of action.

George

[avahifi]

Yes I have received the power cord, thank you.

There just have been many things ahead of the listening tests in my massive "to do" list right now.

I won't forget about it and hope to have time for a very careful evaluation within the next couple of weeks.

Thanks for your patience.

Frank Van Alstine

[Philistine]

In one of the Stickies in 'The Lab' circles Occam recommends comparing a standard Volex  power cord when evaluating OEM and after market power cords:

The 'Sarah Lee" approach to Power Cords:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=15325.0

Looks good advice to me.
Worth a try?

[Wind Chaser]

Frank,

I dare say that all it will take is a few minutes at the most.  If you know what your system sounds like under normal conditions, the difference should be immediate and apparent.

[Brown]

In one of the Stickies in 'The Lab' circles Occam recommends comparing a standard Volex  power cord when evaluating OEM and after market power cords:

The 'Sarah Lee" approach to Power Cords:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=15325.0

Looks good advice to me.
Worth a try?

Very interesting. Send a Volex to him as well. How much is the Occam cord ? Opinions change I guess.

[JoshK]

I think the point of the Sarah Lee thread is that the Volex is damn good for little money, not that more expensive power cords don't make an improvement.

[BobM]

I can attest to that. I've been using the Volex "Asylum" cords for many years now and never thought to spend more. I couldn"t believe in my mind that more expensive cords made that much of an improvement. Not that they don't make a difference, that I believe because I CAN hear it, but usually for the worse and if there was a difference it was hard to call it an "improvement", if you know what I mean.

Well Paul's cords definitely DO make that much of a difference in my system, and definitely for the better. Much more open and dynamic than the Volex. Hear's a controversial statement that I now believe ... power cords can act as tone controls.

There, I've said it. I don't truly understand why that's true, but I hear it. The trick, like anything else audio, is to find the one that works for you in your system.

Enjoy,
Bob

[rydenfan]

I was beginning to believe Frank had heard a difference and thus was not saying anything. Having the cord for three weeks and not saying anything about it seemed kind of suspicious to me. Glad to at least have some understanding.

[TONEPUB]

Gotta believe Frank has more on his plate than to just listen to power cords....

[satfrat]

Gotta believe Frank has more on his plate than to just listen to power cords....

You sure about that Jeff? I thought there was nothing more important than for Frank to satisfy the ego's of certain AudioCircle members.



Cheers,
Robin

[ckline]

Gotta believe Frank has more on his plate than to just listen to power cords....

+1

He's probably looking at a few hrs. time that if it is anything like my situation tends to be hard to come by.....then again I already know what the results will be

[ecramer]

I have been following this thread from the start, and very interested in Mr. Van Alstine opinion. To call him to the front of the class and ask for  definitive answer i find a little rude but hey who am When and if he states his findings will be soon enough. I. feel it's no win situation  here for Mr. Van Alstine,  What choices does he have ! yes i hear a difference and i have been wrong for a long time or 2 no i don't hear a difference (now he has bad ears or don't want to hearing a difference.) the best outcome from the whole thing would be the option to get a power cord iec as a factory option ymmv

ED

[Occam]

The cord I sent to Frank is different from my commercial grounded IEC terminated cords. I've no interest in offering or OEMing captive cordage. Franks cord is simply a UL/CSA 12ga star-quad, which I use on my own, and some local NYRave DIY buddy's ungrounded captive corded components. From an ampacity perspective, its certainly overkill, but IMO, it works quite well for both source components as well as the largest of poweramps.

I almost included a Hubbell HBL5262 heavy duty spec grade receptacle for Frank to try. I believe receptacles have a large impact on the subjective results. No one could call that receptacle a foo foo piece of audiophile jewelry. But I don't want to presume too much on Frank's good will. Maybe if I can sway Frank over to the dark side of that slippery slope, I'll send him the Hubbell gewgaw, and then a rhodium plated plug....

Regards,
Paul

[BobM]

Whatever the outcome, I just hope people here will respect his final opinion and not trash talk and second guess his findings. Frank has acted like a gentleman throughout this and we should treat him the same way, even if he is a cloth eared nincompoop who can't tell a decent power cord from a coat hanger.  

Please disregard that last quip - I just couldn't help myself. I really mean the first part of this post. Frank makes a good product with good value. Hopefully he will see some potential benefit and say so, but if not we should all respect his opinion.

Bob

[Philistine]

I think the point of the Sarah Lee thread is that the Volex is damn good for little money, not that more expensive power cords don't make an improvement.

Josh - What I find simple and relevant about the 'Sara Lee' sticky is that it recommends a benchmark from which to compare and contrast other power cables.  I'm as guilty as the next person by comparing cable A with cable B, but to have a low cost control in the mix would help all of us understand and relate to what the reviewer considers are the relative benefits/failings of a new offering.  At the same time it helps increase the relevance of a review and offers some safeguard against our own delusional nature, namely are the benefits worth the cost differential (a personal decision).  As you point out this is exactly why I suggested it, not to state that power cords didn't make an improvement.     

[jhm731]

Well Paul's cords definitely DO make that much of a difference in my system, and definitely for the better. Much more open and dynamic than the Volex.

How much do Paul's power cords cost?

[zybar]

Well Paul's cords definitely DO make that much of a difference in my system, and definitely for the better. Much more open and dynamic than the Volex.

How much do Paul's power cords cost?

http://www.tweekgeek.com/_e/dept/01-004-011/Kaplan_Cables.htm

[jhm731]

Well Paul's cords definitely DO make that much of a difference in my system, and definitely for the better. Much more open and dynamic than the Volex.

How much do Paul's power cords cost?

http://www.tweekgeek.com/_e/dept/01-004-011/Kaplan_Cables.htm

Thanks for the link.