Building the Audio Note Kit 1 SET amp...

Rebbi,
I'll be the first to admit that in audio, higher cost doesn't always= better product/sound quality. In this specific instance spending a bit more for a very good cord is worth it. Your amplifier has the high resolution to exploit these better power cords. They will reveal more musical information/detail that your amplifier is capable of. Once you obtain a high quality cord you're done searching and can just enjoy what it brings to the table. As Snopro suggested, the pangea is a middle of the road type of power cord(not terrible at all). Your amplifier is true high end caliber in terms of performance.
Charles,

Rebbi, regarding power cords you'll most likely find this post by Atmasphere (Ralph K.) to be of interest, and perhaps the rest of the thread as well.

I would add that the factors he cites as being most important in a power cord, namely minimal voltage drop and adequate bandwidth, while probably compromised to an audible degree by the cord you are presently using, are readily obtainable for far less than the megabucks some audiophiles invest in power cords. In that regard see Ralph's post here, and also my response in the second post after that one.

I would also add that the consequences of voltage drops and bandwidth constraints that may be imposed by a particular cord figure to be highly dependent on the design of the particular amplifier, including its class of operation (i.e., class A, AB, or D) among many other factors. And the effects of voltage drops figure to be highly dependent on the happenstance of the line voltage at the particular location.

One thing I would definitely avoid doing is extrapolating any expectations about the performance that is likely to result with a specific power cord from experiences that may be reported with class AB or class D amps, which differ greatly from SETs and other class A amps in terms of how their AC current draw fluctuates with the dynamics of the music.

I'll also say that there is often what I perceive to be an incorrect tendency among many audiophiles (and I am NOT referring to any of those who have posted above, whose opinions I greatly respect) to conflate the musical resolution of a component or system with the ability of the component or system to resolve differences in hardware, such as power cords. Obviously there is a relation between the two, to some degree, but from a technical standpoint I see no reason to exclude the possibility that depending on its particular design a component providing a higher degree of musical resolution might be less sensitive to differences between power cords and other cables than one that is not as musically resolving.

The bottom line to my thoughts on the subject, FWIW: Consider Signal Cable.

On another note, I'll add my congratulations to the many that have been expressed regarding the great results you have already achieved with this project. And kudos once again for the beautifully done blog.

Best regards,
-- Al

Al and others. I read the post by Ralph and must share an experience I had just about one month ago. I have a newly purchased 10 watt 845 SET amp that sounded good with a particular power cord I had on the amp. However, I was not prepared for what I heard when an audio friend hooked up a Kimber Palladain PK10 power cord to this same amp. It absolutely transformed this amp from a good amp to a dream amp. I have no doubt the amp is 30 percent more powerful with this cord compared to the other cord I was using. Dynamics improved what seemed to be exponentially. Does this mean the Kimber cord is outrageously good? Or can it also mean the other cord was holding the amp back just as Ralph points out. I will start measuring the effect Ralph points out with my power cords! Most interesting.

I purchased two used Kimber Palladian cords the very next day right here on the Gon. I put the second one on my transport. It also transformed the transport. Power cables are VERY important. Trial a couple and you will be amazed at what can be with the right cord.

Reb if your digital source has stock cord and can be replaced I would recommend Pangea ac14 series for that.

Different cords from vendors like Pangea specifically have different designs for different problems. Some targeting line level gear that do not draw much power and others targeting power amplifiers that do.

A set amp operates in class a and draws a lot of power from the line continuously as I understand it. So I would expect you want a power cord designed for that kind of amplifier specifically as al indicates.

The Pangea model for amps I'd the ac 9 line which costs more than ac 14 for line level gear. The Pangea cords are very good build quality and design for the task at hand. Ac 9 would likely be the one you'd want there for an amp that draws a lot of power. I'm sure there are other good ones that set users can vouch for based on experience. I plan to add ac9 cords to my class d amps someday. I suspect they would have a positive effect over stock cord in your case but cannot say how much or what's "best".

Almarg,

Wow, those Signal Cable cords are very well priced. Thanks for the tip and I will see which one the proprietor recommends for my amp.