Impressed by Pangea Audio AC-9SE

Wow, a thousand bucks for a power cable? Even $200 seems a bit much to me for simply bringing the AC from the wall outlet and into your amps. Sounds like you should be putting that Kimber up for sale and pocketing the difference...

-RW-

The AC-9SE is definitely the real deal, IMHO. I had wired my amps and regenerating power conditioner -- PS Audio P10 -- with the earlier AC-9 and tried one SE version (on the P10) just to see if I could tell the difference. There was enough that I replaced all the AC-9s.

I'm assuming everyone knows not to use the fire-hose AC-9/SE PCs on anything BUT amps, as the manufacturer advises. The thinner AC-14SE power cords work a lot better on preamps and source gear, again IMHO.

Rlwainwright,
Yep, I am thinking putting the Kimber up for sale.

Dopogue,
This thing is addictive. Now I want to try out the AC-14SE for my preamp just for the heck of it. I agree the AC-9SE is made for amps. The AC-9SE is heavy and thick and I have to use some rolled-up card board to support the cables, especially right below the IEC.

I'm using an AC9SE between my VAC amp and a Shunyata Triton. It replaced a Nordost Brahma. The AC9SE did not sound very good straight out of the box (no highs, no lows, and recessed). It required some break-in time of around 20 hrs. Compared to the Brahma, it's actually better top and bottom, a bit leaner through the lower midrange.

Yeah, then there is that big price difference. I too have wondered what the AC14SE would sound like on the preamp, but then there is that break-in time.

Rhljazz,
Interesting. I got a total different experience than yours with the AC-9SE. Right out of the box, it was a bit rough and edgy on top. After two to three hours, it started mellowing out a bit. It was quite transaprent with good lows, mids and highs right out of the box. I need to break it in more. Wonder how long it would take to really break it in.

I bought the AC9SE on Elizabeth's recommendation at the regular Audio Advisor price. Loved it right away. More taut bass, and quieter. Also very well made. Then Audio Advisor put them all on sale at 75% off. I bought 2 AC14SE cords for my pre and DAC. My transport has a captive cord. Warning! At least in my system, the AC14SE cords sounded so terrible at first, I was ready to pack them up and return them the first day.
I am glad that I didn't. Within 2 days, they were good, and within a week, I was very happy. Again, improvements in bass, quietness.
So now, Elizabeth, I would like to return the favor with a recommendation that is also affordable. The Afterburner 8 wall outlet at $80.00 from Avatar Acoustics. I was so skeptical, but so curious. Long story short, the improvement is huge. far bigger and more dramatic than the cords, the AMR fuses, the EVS ground enhancers, even my Adona rack. Unreal. Like someone threw a bucket of water in your systems face and woke it up. What is better? I am not going to waste words. Everything!
Peter from PBN needs to include this outlet in his upcoming comparison. Without a doubt, (and I had plenty) it is the best $80.00 I ever spent on my rig.

What are the physical differences between AC-9 and AC-9SE? Pangea website doesn't have any info about the 9SE. Has it been discontinued?

Pangea site doesn't have the latest information. You need to go to Audio Advisor. I believe both the AC-9 and AC-9SE have the same physical appearance. Both are stiff and heavy. The SE has differenct construction inside. Check Audio Advisor for detail.

Audiolui,
Perhaps the difference in break-in perception is due the type of amp it is first connected to. I purchased the 9SE when my summer system was set up. So, at that time it was connected to a W4S class D amp which likely presents a different load than a conventional amp or tube amp. Right now it is connected to the tube amp.

Rhljazz,
Is your 9SE broken in? If so, how long did it take you? I only have about 7 hours on it.

is this an ad?

Audiolui,
My cable has many hundreds of hours on it now and I like it in this application. As I recall, it took at least 15 hours before there was any change towards the better.

Thanks Rhljazz.

I would try a Pangea power cord un my Threshold SL10 preamp, but I'm undecided whether to buy the 9 or 14 ... which of them would be fine as well as on the pre, even on my poweramp Threshold sa4/e?...

Alanino,
The 14 for the pre, and the 9 for the amp.

Jay Victor, President and CEO of Pangea is former technical manager at Monster Cable.

Thoughts?

I am an esoteric tweak skeptic, as some here would likely attest to, I recently bought a Pangea AC14SE, to replace a fraying old power cord for my DAC, new for less than $100 and I have been very happy with it. It does seem to have lower noise and distortion as advertised and is built like a tank to-boot. See my system description for more details if interested.

Just last week I added another for the DAC in my second system with seemingly similar results I would say.

Tweaks that help keep power clean seldom have a downside, just a matter of how much up case by case. Digital related noise in particular is a problem worth addressing. Pangea does it quite clearly and effectively I would say.

Would like to try the ac9SE for my power amps someday, but feeling no real need quite yet.

I have the Pangea 9SE power cords connecting my Classé CA-M600 monoblocks, I ordered the 1 meter lengths and that was a mistake because they are too short! These cables are the equivalent of 7 gauge wire; very thick and stiff therefore the connections tend to slip out of the wall receptacles and must be supported. otherwise a great cable

Cjcomo,
So true! I made that mistake once and had to return it for the 1.5 meter length. They are stiff and the plugs don't like turning corners. But yes, I agree that they are a very good value.

Pangea are good value for the money -- but no more than that, IMO.

Bit of an update:

I like(d) the AC9SE on my MF Tri-Vista; extra bass, clear midrange, and nice treble.

One knock that I noticed was just a slight bit of upper midrange glare, really only noticeable at high volumes.

The second 'knock', if you can call it that, is that the bass, although full and deep, can be a little bit too loose - again at higher volumes.

Finally, the soundstage is pretty good, but loses a bit of composure and frequency 'continuity' in comparison to better cords.

I recently, like yesterday, replaced the 9se with the Cullen Crossover PC sold on here.
As big an upgrade as anything I've heard in 40 years.
And the 9se was not bad.

The ac-9se is now in mk II version - how can you tell a mk1 from a mk2? Looks like they look the same?

I will sell my Stealth V12 and get one.

Ebm,
I bet you wont.

I'm waiting to receiver a Pangea 14SE MkII, I'm curious as to whether there will be any differences. A few years ago I made a diy cable but it didn't really do anything for me.

Runnin, let us know what you think of the 14 SE MkII .

Sure, at this point I've had it on the Oppo 95 for a day. Owners say to let it break in somewhat so I'm going to give it a week or more, right off the bat I couldn't really hear any improvements.

About 9 hours on the PC now, and from what I've read you need a good 20 hours. At this point I'm hearing a very subtle improvement over the stock Oppo cord. I also took some gold plated brass banana plugs out of the signal path am am using bare speaker wire, Audioquest Type 4. That and deOxit all connections has given me more top end than I had.

Another thing is my system seems faster now, am I crazy? The start of one song called He Won't go(Adele, 21. - forgive me!) starts off with a drum lead in, and the bass drum has always seemed a bit slow, like the drummer couldn't quite hit the foot pedal on time for the rapid beat. Except now it seems better though not perfect yet. Anyone else notice this?

I'm still hearing no difference after about 12-13 hours, I tried it on my preamp too. I'm beginning to lose hope, but nothing ventured, nothing gained in this case maybe.

One thing, I keep reading from the science crowd how you can't trust your ears, and purchase bias, and sight bias, and whatever other bias will cause to to have the outcome you want. I call BS in my case. I really wanted to hear a difference and thought I was going to. But I simply listened, and compared and have found nothing.

Previously I have been floored by the difference in sound when I swapped in new speaker cables, but in this case, nada. I'll keep going to the 20 hour mark, and report back then. Out.

Hi Runnin - I'm not certain which other cable you are comparing the 14SEII. Would you mind clarifying? I've got a number of 1st gen 14SEs in my system and have been curious about the MkII. Thanks.

Sure, I was comparing the stock cable that came with the oppo 95 and the stock cable that came with the Parasound Halo P7.

Caelin Gabriel, Shunyata's designer, warns that you might well not hear a difference if installing a single cord of his in a system, that the whole system needs to outfitted with his cords to hear the improvement they afford. Speaking of afford, that could entail a lot of money!

Hmm. Well, I'd need to buy 2 more at 60 or so a pop. I'd be willing to do that, but first I'd like to run dedicated lines to the stereo, and that's not cheap. I found out my treadmill is on the same circuit as the stereo.

For what it's worth, I got the better Pangea cords, and I noticed a bigger difference when I changed the outlet than the cords.

Even the cord makers admit a dedicated line is the place to start in improving the power to a system, and that it will provide a bigger improvement than high-performance cords.

You know what? In my case, the panel is on the same wall as my system and wall outlets, and about 15 feet away. But alas, there is no room in the panel for another breaker. I'd have to buy a larger panel with more breaker spaces. a lot of work and a lot of wall board, paint, etc. Still I'd do it if I had the time, the things we do for love of audio!

Just an update on the Pangea 14SE MkII.  Recently I was experimenting with the Nad C326BEE and various stand mount speakers I've acquired.  On a whim, I swapped in the Pangea cord on the Nad, and instantly heard an improved bass response.  I was somewhat surprised as I had heard little improvement as outlined earlier in this thread, but the difference was easy to pick out.  

I bought the SE 14Se for my CD player Yamaha 1000sacd never look back

Did anyone tried the Pangea AC 9 MKll yet ???

Upgrading power cords is a big difference in sound quality. A friend of mine bought a Pangea pc, after I explained the difference a good pc will make, and he is thrilled with it, especially for the price. 

I have had a positive experience with Pangea's power cables and power strip in getting control over excessive sibilance (Sssss sounds) and plosives (such as the letter "T").

I swapped out the power cords on my DAC and amplifier with Pangea 14SE Mk II and 9SE Mk II cables. And I swapped out my Panamax surge protector for a Pangea Quattro Premier XL power strip for my DAC and reclocker. I also added a Pangea 9SE Mk II power cord to the Pangea power strip.

These Pangea products significantly increased clarity right out of the box. Then, after around 120 hours, I noticed that sibilance and plosives sounded shelved down a little while at the same time a lot more natural on the tracks that had suffered from that problem. Examples: Gillian Welch's Boots No. 2 albums and Simon & Garfunkel's Wednesday 3 a.m. album.

I played the 20 or so tracks in my playlist that had excessive sibilance or plosives, and only one still had a bit too much. The others are all fine now.

It is such a joy to be able to listen to these tracks without annoying sibilance and plosives. Also, with the increased clarity I am noticing more details and vocals are easier to understand.

Pangea power cords and power strip are some of the best bang for the buck audiophile products I have tried.

I had been using Audience Forte 3 power cords on my DAC and amp, and while there they added a beautiful, dark character with more lower midrange and upper bass emphasis, they did not reduce sibilance and plosives as much as the Pangea products did. The Audience cables found a good home, though, replacing the stock power cords on my GoldenEar Triton 3+ speakers and my subwoofers.

I am assuming that power cords matter more in some systems than with other ones.  The difference is night and day obvious with my system.

I noticed some sibilance and plosives again today. It happened for the first 60 to 65 minutes of playing music from a cold start.

Then, I replayed the same music and noticed the excessive sibilance and plosives had abated to the point that they were no longer offensive.

So, I think that the tubes in my integrated tubes pre/ solid state amp need warm up for about 70 minutes. Cables can also need a warm up, and so they may be part of the issue.

My solution from now on will be to play mellow music that does not have any sibilance or plosives for 70 minutes after a cold start. Then I can play whatever I want.

I still maintain that the Pangea power cables significantly increased clarity. But now I am not so sure that they reduced sibilance and plosives.

You people talking about all this sibilance issues in your systems ought to try and replace and sandcast resistors, put some nice caps in your tweeter circuits. Thats what really helps with that. You may find it's not the cord but a deficiency in your speakers.