Cap has some new power cords on the site called Ocean Expanded. I received a couple of them on Thursday and they have proven to be a step up in detail and clarity from the Ocean Elite. More information is coming through on the high end.
Audio envy - dang!
I usually post on AG when I have an issue or concern, so I’m happy for once it’s to praise a new product, in this case Audio Envy’s IC.
I use an ARC Classic 60 amp with a Herron 1A preamp. The AE cable went between these two.
I run an ARC Phono pre PH3se from my VPI prime as source.
My speakers are Thiel CS2.4’s
Out of the box a bit bright, But after a few hours that just went to strait up transparent - I mean freaking crystal clear. No tonal aberrations. Smooth, with no etched highs. Voices sound right, Natural. Soundstage opened up, as you might expect when things get clearer.
The best part was how inexpensive they were. They made my Cardas Clear Light interconnects I was using sound clouded by contrast. The Cardas was about x3 the cost of the AE’s.
BTW, this wasn’t “I think I hear differences”, this was “I’ll never use those Cardas in this system again, and where is my IPad, I need to order my next set!”
And that’s just what I did.
I use an ARC Classic 60 amp with a Herron 1A preamp. The AE cable went between these two.
I run an ARC Phono pre PH3se from my VPI prime as source.
My speakers are Thiel CS2.4’s
Out of the box a bit bright, But after a few hours that just went to strait up transparent - I mean freaking crystal clear. No tonal aberrations. Smooth, with no etched highs. Voices sound right, Natural. Soundstage opened up, as you might expect when things get clearer.
The best part was how inexpensive they were. They made my Cardas Clear Light interconnects I was using sound clouded by contrast. The Cardas was about x3 the cost of the AE’s.
BTW, this wasn’t “I think I hear differences”, this was “I’ll never use those Cardas in this system again, and where is my IPad, I need to order my next set!”
And that’s just what I did.
335 responses Add your response
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Very happy and surprised with AE power cords quality and SQ. Bought a used Ocean Lite and Ocean Elite 3 for my HT system Dac/Streamer and Amp. Wanted lighter more flexible cords with tight connection and these checked those boxes. Liked them enough to buy a used Mega, another Elite 3 and Lite for my 2-channel system’s power conditioner, Amp and Dac. I was completely surprised and the level of improved SQ. Especially the Mega cord, it made the biggest improvement on my power conditioner. I am an AE believer now! |
The New Ocean-Expanded power cords are exceptional. Lightweight, flexible but more importantly, their ability to let music flow effortlessly. Their frequency extension seems to be limitless with perfect tonal balance. Tone, timbre and texture is spot on. Their low frequency range is nothing short of spectacular. Music has clarity like never before. |
@nutty have you compared the New Ocean-Expanded to the Ocean Elite 3? If so how do they compare? Also, are your Ocean -Expanded the base cable or did you purchase any of the ground upgrades offered? Thanks |
Hello tksteingraber - I have had the Ocean 3P cables on my sources and a Mega on the amp. There both fantastic cables. However I’m now currently using five Expanded’s on my amp and source components. After careful consideration I felt the Expandeds offered more frequency extension, clarity and better timbre in my system. For your guidance, I am running a full loom of AE cables. |
SP12's arrived and I finally had a chance to hook them up. First, I followed the arrow to the speaker recommendation for a warmer sound and the bass was just too bloated for me. I reversed them and the bass response improved. I'll give them some time to break in and report back with how I like them. |
@evank Talk or email Cap he is very helpful in explaining his cables in and outs. I had some similar ribbons that were fatiguing and took about 75-100 hours to sound excellent. Of course your cables are different as is your system. Good luck. Love his power cables. |
The captain responded and helped my situation. Just to help anyone else in the future both his suggestions helped. here they are.
Try the configuration with arrow of the positive wire, facing toward the speaker. Then position the arrow of the negative wire, facing towards the amplifier. (This should be the least forward sound.)
What is the positioning and spacing that you have between the wires leading to the speaker? this will also affect the tone.
Cap
Most of the testing that we did is with the cables stacked on top of each other, 1 to 2 inches apart.
I would experiment with separating them 3 inches apart, and then gently move them together until you find your desired tone. It’s possible that having them extremely separated, could work in your situation. It would likely pull the mid range back. But other anomalies can happen with it.
Cap |
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On 12/21/23 in installed a Audio Envy receptical. It’s the same high quality outlet that Captain uses in the OKTA Pro power distribution system. The unit features a robust build with a thick rigid backing plate that instills confidence with installation. In addition the OKTA Pro has it’s share of high purity copper gold plating. Every element of this overly engineered receptical screams AC signal transmission and the gold plated Conductors spring system grips like a vice. Upon installation in my system I immediately began hearing cues and micro details that seemed covered up with my former outlets. (AV Options Deep-Cryo Hubble, Pangea, PS Audio Power Port and the Furutech GTX-D). After reaching two hundred hours the performance is fast, neutral and doing a great job of preserving the musical warmth. N |
@nutty don’t see these recepticals on AE’s website to order. Is this an ask Cap special order only? Price? Thanks Also, I have now had my new OE Expanded with ground upgrade power cable for 2 weeks and it is a really nice step up. Everything is just better. Quiet, black background, more 3D, hear details I didn’t hear before. |
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Greetings.@ tksteingraber Thanks for the feedback on the Ocean-Expanded Upgraded Ground cords. I’m tempted to audition them. Were you able to compare and contrast the original Ocean-Expanded vs. the Upgraded Ground together in your system? You’ll need to contact Captain directly for more information, insight and pricing on the OKTA Pro outlets. They are not on the website as of yet. It's been one of my most economical upgrades I've made yet! I'm sure he'd love to hear from anyone wanting to take their system to the next level, especially if they are using Audio Envy power cords. N |
@nutty I don’t own any regular OE expanded. I did compare it (on my tube preamp) to an OE elite 3 and the expanded with ground upgrade is much better it all ways. Cap told me that he highly recommended the ground upgrade and it is well worth it. Maybe he would take a trade in and you could try one and compare…enjoy the music. Cheers, Tom |
I ordered 2x Ocean-Expanded with Upgrade 3- with my question is for power amp. I have relatively power hungry speakers that regularly dip below 4ohms. Im using a krell 300xd duo Is the mega more suitable? or maybe a high current cable from different company? it seems you guys are happy with ocean expanded on amps? |
I just received a pair of O'nestian XLRs today to go between a Pontus ll and Lokius EQ. And Dang! is right. Right out of the box I think it is smooth and refined. Very nice indeed.Adding the Lokius meant having to add another cable so I've been trying the few spares of various brands from the "leftovers" box since the particular Voodoos that are used throughout are no longer available..The best (but not quite good enough)result was with an AE RCA pair.So why not give the AE XLRs a chance? |
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I contacted Captain to ask about an XLR to RCA cable to go out from my new API equalizer to my preamp.He said he could make one to my specifications when I was ready. After some experiments with adapters and cables with different wiring configurations the one ordered from BlueJean Audio (Belden wire) worked perfectly but had a slightly grainy texture which actually complemented certain instruments. Vocals not so much though.So I ordered the cable from AE and hoped for the best. Just received it today and it exceeded my expectations which was simply no more grain.Right out of box it's silky smooth,grainless,and a perfect fit in my system. There is nothing to criticize.I played the same CD that I was just listening to without adjusting the volume or the equalizer.Then chose a few more to try finding something unacceptable.Nope.It's staying. |
@nutty I have the SP12s and really dig them.What would you say the improvement is between the two cables on a percentage basis? |
@nutty I had been asking Cap to make a pair of Model 34 SC, but was able to get SP14s and the prototype ICs. With the new Okta and PCs, this is the best I’ve heard from AE |
