http://www.cullencable.com/c7-power-cable/
Any recommendations for aftermarket C-7 power cord for Bluesound Node 2i
Looking for help on finding a better sounding C-7 power cord for my Node. I have read about Audioquest, Pangea, Cullen, Shunyata, etc. I have even looked at making my own. Any suggestions or experience with good C-7 cords would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
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https://www.wireworldcable.com/power-conditioning-cords.html#quickcomppower
Scroll down. It's called "Figure 8" power cord |
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Been very pleased with my Cullen Cable C7. http://http//www.cullencable.com/c7-power-cable/ Cheers, Scott |
This is an incredible power cord for digital or power carbon fiber shell Copper connectors , deep Cryoed Bests cables at 2x+ the price . Triode Wire Labs it really brings out the low level details and great controlled detail. and working on getting another ,and I have had many $$ cables . https://www.triodewirelabs.com/product/digital-american-series/ |
How can one justify a power cord that cost just as much as the component? When one upgrades the wire and it improves the sound at least as much as when one upgrades the components the wire is connected to, and for about the same cost, what more justification does one need? I sense ulterior motives. Or, dare I say it, justifications? |
“When one upgrades the wire and it improves the sound at least as much as when one upgrades the components the wire is connected to, and for about the same cost, what more justification does one need?” You’re so full of it...mc. Do you ever go back and read your posts? Since you don’t own Node 2i, your explanation (justification) is utterly out of context. I own Vault2 and a $500 power cord on this type of component is total waste of money. |
Considering Wireworld Mini-Electra, Cullen C-7, and Voodoo Vision Digital Cable for Vault 2. Already use Wireworld Starlight 7 ethernet cable from wall port to Vault. Vault plugs into Furman PFI20 power conditioner. Rest of system is described in my profile. One concern is that Voodoo cable might be so heavy/stiff that it pulls Vault off shelf or raises one end. Curious to get thoughts of group. |
Built my own and very happy with it. Purchased all parts from VH Audio. https://www.vhaudio.com/wire.html https://www.vhaudio.com/images/shieldedtwistedpairbulk.jpg Shielded Twisted Pair (12 AWG X 2) $10.99 per foot. https://www.vhaudio.com/connectors-ac.html Furutech F11-M (CU) $48.99 https://www.vhaudio.com/images/fi-11mcu.jpg Furutech FI-8N C7 $56.99 https://www.vhaudio.com/images/furutech-fi-8n.jpg If you build your own I’d recommend a shielded cable and only connect the shield at the wall receptacle end to the ground and on the equipment end it floats as it’s only two conductor with the C7 plug but even with a three prong plug the shield still floats. I use this cable with my Vault 2 and it made a nice improvement over the stock PC. Haven’t tried any others but I’m sure it’ll keep up with anything else in its price point.I’ll take a picture and add it to my system if you want to see how it looks. One could add some tech-flex to dress it up but I like the way the raw cable looks so left alone. Just noticed I used the gold plated plug. Furutech F11-M N1 $69.99 https://www.vhaudio.com/images/fi-11mg.jpg |
I installed the Wireworld Aurora mini on my Node 2i and am very pleased after 4 hours of listening. Lower noise floor, so better audibility of the quietest parts of the music. Even things like the mechanical noises of piano pedals. I can hear the tube noise in some older recordings that was not previously audible. Cleaner reproduction of all frequencies and better separation of instruments. Very impressive improvement in bass definition and low end extension. The C7 connector is not polarized, so you can plug it into the Node two different ways. I found a big difference in the sound of the two directions. I'll report back if there are any changes after a week or so of use. |
I’m using the iFi SPDIF iPurifier as well between Node2i and dac. I have an upgraded Swagman Labs LPS and the sound from the streamer is so much better than a stock Node. Spacious soundstage, black background, more detail with smoothness in the highs. A very worthwhile upgrade in addition to an aftermarket C7. |
Another option to consider is getting a good quality C7 adapter; this gives you lots more choices for the cable. I just recently sold my full sized DAC for an RME ADI 2 which uses C7 and then started looking for C7 cables and my list pretty much matched what everyone else has mentioned above. I then questioned myself why I wanted to buy yet another powercord when my Shunyata Alpha Digital cable was now sitting idle so I purchased a Cryo Treated C7 C14 Adapter from Take Five Audio and am using it with the Shunyata and RME with fine results. |
@buschmann, the reclocking by the iFi sure helps reduce jitter, but not all SPDIF cables are created equal. The design, construction, length all contribute to sonic differences in cables; eg, soundstaging, dynamics, fast attack, etc. I've tried several cables with my CDP and Node2i running through the iPurifier, each was different. So I guess I'm saying you get many benefits using the iFi by reducing jitter resulting in a smoother, more dynamic sound. So the cable probably is less important. So I went for the cable that sounded the best for my system. |
Thanks to lowrider57's comments above, I decided to try out alternative data cables between the Node and my DAC. As I stated above, my original cable was a good quality conventional 75 ohm coaxial cable. I installed a pretty radical SPDIF cable made by Mad Scientist Audio using carbon fiber for the center conductor. It made a dramatic improvement in the sound. Much more of an improvement than the previously upgraded power cable. The sound was better resolved, bass and treble were extended, and transients were crisper. I'm surprised to find such a change when the iFi is supposed to be regenerating a "perfect" SPDIF signal to the DAC. I then decided to try an optical cable for something completely different. I installed a Van Den Hul Optocoupler II, and found that at first listen it's a small increment better than the coaxial with carbon fiber and iFi. I'll need a little more listening time before coming to any conclusion. The Node, streaming Tidal HiFi or High Res files off a USB stick, seems to be capable of really good sound when cables are optimized. It's already my best quality source of music, and it's not fully tweaked yet. |
After extended listening, the carbon fiber coax sounds like it has wider frequency response and dynamics than the optical cable. Since my DAC allows instant switching from one input to the other it's easy to do an instant A/B comparison. Seems strange that a digital cable could have that effect, but that's what I hear. |
Best to get a Voodoo c7 adapter so you can try any flavour or power cord to your hearts’ desires. I had to get a cable support, then migrated to Furutech ncf cable booster to eventually support a thick powercord that cost more much than my vault.Does a nice $50 vs $1000 cable make a difference on the vault? Yes..but only your wallet and ears can decide better. |
We offer one of the largest selections of C7’s you will find. We have them available in Copper, Rhodium and Silver using a 12 gauge Copper Wire or a 12 Gauge Silver Plated Copper wire. We even offer a small bodied Silver solder on C7 for use in tight spaces. This Cable does a phenomenal job with High End TV’s. www.iceageaudio.com Thanks-Rick iceageaudio@yahoo.com |
Has anyone here pimped out their Node 2i with a PSU interface card and Linear power supply? Supposed to make a big difference to sonics... That is my next project when my Node 2i arrives. Good stuff on the power cables. I've heard a lot of good things about the Triode Digital American. I'll look into the Wireworld too. I thought the Node 2i had a C15 IEC but maybe not. |
@vinylshadow Yes it is worth while especially paired with a good LPS. Much more refined sound and lower noise floor. I bought the one from Poland on eBay. -Alex |
@rareace Thanks Alex. I was looking at the interface card and switching power supply on Pawel's website but wanted a linear power supply so great that he sells the interface separately. I will order one. Which linear power supply did you get? Are you using an upgraded power cable? I was considering the Triode Wire Labs Digital American. I am using Pete's High Power Dig. American for my UberBuss power conditioner...While it might be the way to go, a $500 power cable for a $540 Node 2i deserves some thought. https://triodewirelabs.com/product/digital-american-series/ The Wireworld Mini Electra that many use and recommended is $160. https://www.thecableco.com/mini-electra-power-cord.html Wonder if there is a big difference besides the price? |
@vinylshadow I've used a few different LPS. Tried the Uptone LPS 1.2, Paul Haynes SRT4, and Mojo Illuminati. They are all fantastic and didn't notice a huge difference TBH. I have my best PC's on my DAC, Amp and Conditioner so unfortunately the LPS gets the cheapest cord but still performs great. If you don't have a switch or some sort of filter for your Ethernet connection I'd recommend putting some attention in that area as that is going to make a huge improvement for the Bluesound as well. -Alex |
@rareace Thanks Alex- I will be using WiFi as my router is upstairs hooked up to my desktop. Unless it is easy to get one for downstairs. Does ethernet make a huge improvement to sonics? I’ve read many times that it does not. That the ethernet advantages have to do with something else that I cannot recall. The guy who sold me my Node 2i recommended this company’s LPS’s:https://www.smallgreencomputer.com/collections/linear-power-supplies I think for the power cable from the LPS I’ll use this $160 cable:https://www.thecableco.com/mini-electra-power-cord.html I wouldn’t mind the Triode Wire Labs Digital American. They end with a Figure 8 if you want it... But it costs as much as the Node 2i! I went on EBay to order Pawel’s LPS adapter but shipping was $55. But I might not have a choice! Pawel’s lower power LPS is not out yet but I am curious. Might be better to wait and see how much shipping is for the adapter and his LPS. |
@vinylshadow Wired Ethernet connection made a massive difference for me. I use the Amazon Eero mesh system so placement is a breeze as you’ll just need an open outlet near and then you can run a Ethernet cable to the Node 2i. Ethernet cables make a big difference too. I currently use Network Acoustics ENO filter and Ag cable. Even with the $55 shipping Pawel’s board is well worth it. I forgot to mention that if your are using an external DAC the iFi SPDIF Purifier 2 is a nice addition at a cost effective price.-Alex |