Hi Clavil, just trying to understand. . . you were using NBS power cables instead of JRDG 'pigtails' between PC1s and 501s, and you experienced that the modified NBS power cords yielded a more desirable sound for the 501s. If my description is correct, I expected your results. . . the JRDG 'pigtails' are just stock wires, and as such they are unlikely to be at the level of any high end aftermarket power cords. Guido |
Hi Phous, please keep us posted with your observations while the PC1 devices break in. . . they will likely take a few hundred hours to stabilize and yield their best. Guido |
As far as I know JRDG uses mostly Cardas Golden Refs in house for baselining. . . Only ICs I have used on JRDG are AQ Sky. . . I use Cardas Golden Ref speaker wire between JRDG 312 and Vienna Mahlers. For PCs I have tried PAD Anniversary, Cardas Golden Ref, and Shunyata Anaconda Helix alpha. I like Anaconda best, Cardas Golden Ref 2nd, and PAD Anniv far last. There are some reports of very good results with Elrod PCs. . . and I will eventually try an Elrod Statement on 312. I hope also to listen to JRDG components connected by the newest Shunyata ICs. G. |
Hi Clavil, fair question. I used the PC1 with the original pigtail on the Capri. I thought the stage was a little more constrained and there was less harmonic content than Capri directly in wall outlet. But that was several months ago, and I'd be more than happy to change my mind if warranted. . . I will reinsert the PC1 on Capri during the Christmas break and will post results here. I now wonder if my old non positive findings were caused by the thrifty pigtail that comes with the PC1. Could you per chance try PC1 with the original pigtail and let us know if things change radically for the worse? I do agree that PC1 is not at all inexpensive. I suspect the list price may reflect high cost of components inside it.
Now that I think of it, it would be nice if JRDG created a "PC2" with 2 or 3 outlets based on the single 1500W PFC module and other power rectification componentry contained in the Continuum 500. . . there would be plenty of current for driving a pair of 501s and a Capri without a single bead of electrical perspiration (grins!). |
Clavil, as far as I know PC1 ships from the factory with a 50 cm long stock cord to connect PC1 to the destination device (201, 501, Capri, etc. . .). Your dealer should still have this cord somewhere. |
Sounds good Clavil, keep us posted. GUido |
Thanks for the update Clavil. Give the PC1s about 2 weeks worth of playing time to stabilize, regardless of prior break in claims. Approx 300 hours should do the trick. Let us all know how the sound evolves. Guido |
Thank you for the update Clavil. Your findings on the refining effect of PC1s corroborate my original guess based on my own 501/312 comparisons. Will you be able to leave your equipment active and playing music from a tuner whilst you travel to Asia? You might find your system sounding even sweeter upon your return. Guido |
Clavil, the JRDG cord that connects PC1 with an amp is a 45cm long power cord. It has a male 15A IEC at one end to connect to an amp, and an IEC 320 connector at the other end to connect to the PC1. Such a very short cord is often referred to colloquially as a 'pigtail', even though it is straight and not coiled like the real tail of a cochon. Is the PC1-to-amp cable supplied to you any different? Guido |
Clavil, the fragment you quote from Jonathan Valin's article contains a very good description of the foreshortening of treble low level information which was relatively common on the previous generation ICEpower amplifiers. Others, like Chris Martens, have described the same phenomenon as treble harmonics being disconnected from the fundamental. It is also true that in my experience, the 201 monos tend to sound a little short of 'lung capacity' on power hungry speakers such as -- for example's sake -- the Maggies 3.6. . . hence the feel of a toy piano. Having said that, Valin is comparing a $4K entry level monoblock amp with extremely high end devices costing several times as much. . . the performance delta is not completely surprising. I suspect that if he had the opportunity of applying a PC1 to the 201s, his findings may have been subtly different. . . but there was no PC1 available at the time the article was written. . . or even published.
It is my impression that the application of pre-PS power rectification of one form or an other for ICEpower amps may be a valid methodology to address the harmonic and low level information shortfall of early such devices. Only future may tell. Guido |
Hi Clavil, ICEpower modules of 501 and 312 are the same ASP1000. 201 uses if I recall correctly the ASP500. These are -- relatively speaking -- current modules. By 'previous generation' I really meant previous generations of end user products. For example, the Continuum 500 can be considered a newer generation product than the 501 monos, because of the more sophisticated pre-PS power management, in spite of being designed around the same ASP1000 ICEpower modules. Similarly, the original BC R100 and the newer Mk.2 versions use the same ASP1000 modules as far as I know, but the Mk.2 has pre-PS power management that the original did not have. The PC1 devices is designed to bridge 102, 201, 501, and C250 products to current generation performance. It is worth pointing out that different manufacturers/engineers evolve their class D creations along different lines, applying different strategies towards similar musical goals, and all operate within the constraints dictated by their respective pricepoints. A priori, it is impossible to decide which approaches will be most successful, and in the end, only our own individual ears can determine what is most suitable for our own system and musical preferences. G. |
Clavil, are you using 1 or 2 PC1 devices? The 501 monos require 2 of them. You should allow for about 300 hours of break in on the PC1s before they stabilize. Guido |
Clavil, how did you use the PC1s without the JRDG original wires to connect them with the 501s? You seem to have received the PC1 to amp wires just a couple of days ago. G. |
Yes Clavil, that is the 'pigtail', minus the 'recessive gene' that would make it coil like a tirebouchon. If manufacturers supplied high end cords with their component products, they would have to charge significantly higher prices while giving you power cords that may not be necessarily of your taste. On the other hand, it would be good if they readily published specs of slightly unusual cords they use, like on PC1, so audiofools like us can experiment easily with upgrades. Now that I have heard about your experience with NBS on PC1, I am intrigued. . . I might try a Furutech wire, as I like those a lot on Rowland gear. G. |
