Should anyone be surprised that $7,000+ of Synergistic power cords and conditioning was much preferred to $1,550 of KaplanCable power cords and conditioning?
I'm certainly not.
Nor am I surprised that that same KaplanCable complement of cords and conditioners was preferrable to $2,000+ in Audience kit.
FWIW,
Paul
KaplanCable |
Someone had emailed me asking what cables I used and in what places I had used them. Here they are.
I have a modified Slm devices Transporter, a Modwright 36.5 preamp, and a Levinson No. 35 amp. The interconnects were Syngergistic Apex from the source to pre, and Synergistic Precision Reference from the preamp to the amp. The speaker cables were Synergistic Apex. Those remained the same throughout the comparison since all we were talking about were power cords.
Audience
- Power Chords on the source, preamp and amp.
- AR1P single outlet conditioner. One for source and one for the amp
Kaplan
- 3 amp conditioned cord on the source
- 15 amp conditioned cord on the amp
- non conditioned cord on the preamp
I also used another 15 amp conditioned cord on the preamp. I did not have another 3 amp cord to use on the preamp.
Synergistic
- Hologram D on the source
- T2 on the preamp
- T3 on the amplifier
- Tesla Power Cell |
Excellent. Thanks again Aslan, I'm really curious to hear your findings. Please loop back to this thread to post your impressions if you remember, once you've had a chance to do the shoot-out.
Bryan |
Bryan,
I don't know if a line conditioner in line with a line conditioner is a good idea but I will do a comparison and share my findings when Tweekgeek gets more cords in-stock.
Interestingly I got an email from Mike today. He asked that I not quote him verbatim but basically here is what he had to say:
"Hello Aslan,
I think I need to clarify a few things.
The Kaplan cables are not as good, not even close, to an all Synergistic system. However they are better than the Audience.
When you start mixing and matching different cable brands, things get very complicated, and that's when auditioning cables for yourself is really necessary. That is what I meant when I said:
"When you are using only one or two Synergistic cables in your system, its really hard to predict how they will stack up."
I have compared and all Kaplan system (power cords anyhow) to an all Synergistic system (completely cabled), and an all Audience system (completely cabled). Synergistic was the best by a wide margin, followed by Kaplan, then Audience.
I can send you Some Synergistic and Kaplan cables when you are ready. I would encourage you to evaluate them in your own system."
Mike asked that I not post the whole email so I have only incuded the basic gist. Anyway this should be a good shoot out. |
Thanks for getting that information Aslan1. That Kaplan cable sounds really appealing. I wonder if using the filtered Kaplan from a power conditioner to an amp is a good thing or a bad thing? I'm thinking I might want to try a 15A one on my amp and I wonder if the double filtering so to speak might be a bit much and if the unfiltered would be a better fit?
Hopefully someone with some "ears on" Kaplan experience will chime in and answer some of your questions. Thanks
Bryan |
I too am looking for a power cord for my line conditioner so its power cord upgrade time. I'd not heard of the Kaplan PC's before this thread so I contacted the distributor (Tweek Geek). In particular I want to know how the Kaplan compares to Audience and Synergistic Research Tesla. This was what Tweekgeek had to say: In general my impressions are:
The Kaplan cables are excellent, I would liken the filtered cords to an Audience Adept response combined with a power cord. The standalone cord really has no competition at its price point of $349.
The filtered cords come in a 3 amp source/pre and 15 amp high current versions. The 3 amp cord actually has double the filtration for more RFI rejection and lower noise floor.
The cords present a relaxed sound, with a layered mid range, deep bass and smooth highs. Soundstaging is very nice. No listening fatigue whatsoever with these cables.
The Audience Power Chord is not as smooth on top as the Kaplans. If you paired an Audience Power Cord with an Adept Response conditioner, you might be getting close to the sound of the Kaplan Cable, but you would be spending a lot more money.
With the Synergistic cables, its hard to say. Synergistic cables work their best when the entire system is Synergistic. They are meant to work that way, as the sum performance of an entirely Synergistic system is more than the individual contributions of each Synergistic cable by itself. I would say you could compare a filtered Kaplan cable to a Synergistic T3 (if you were going to use the cords on an amp).
When you are using only one or two Synergistic cables in your system, its really hard to predict how they will stack up. Question: Has anyone compared SR Tesla T3 to the Kaplans when powering a line conditioner? Also has anyone ever tried a Tesla power cord and liked it enough to purchase without running all Telsa power cords? What about the Audience PC, are the Kaplans really that much smoother and if so, do they retain detail and air?. I intend to do a side-by-side comparison but would like feedback from anyone with experience. |
Bryan,
Its hard conveying the subjective without having similar frames of reference. If I had to describe the copper/copper or copper/brass 20a cords, I'd opine they are most similar to a Hubbell HBL5362 receptacle, which was actually what I was aiming for; it provides a bit of tonal density and warmth to the midrange, an extended bass and treble, with excellent resolution. The imaging extends back from the speakers and with the proper setup, outside the speakers. The Rhodium terminated cords are more in the vein of a PS Audio PowerPort, but without(IMO) the glare and grit. I'm new to this, and don't know if its OK to even compare my cords to receptacles, and have left out comparisons to competing cords.
I do apologize for this marketing hyperbole, and obviously what works in your system depends on the cord's inherent qualities and its synergy with individual components, as well as your own personal preferences and metrics.
Regards,
Paul
KaplanCables |
Thanks for your reply Paul. I hope it didn't come across like I was criticizing your cord, rather it was just an observation as I was thinking of re-terminating one of my own and was looking around at parts.
As I mentioned, your cord does seem to be discussed comparatively in some lofty circles, (both quality and price wise), so I can only assume that you're designing for sound first and foremost and price point is secondary, which you confirm above. It's even better that any savings seem to be being passed on to the customer in the form of a reasonable cost.
If you don't mind my asking, can you elaborate on what sound you're going for with your power cord?
Thank you very much for your time Paul.
Bryan |
Bhoage,
You could give Mr. Cline at TelWire a call and see if he could provide an appropriate IEC to meet your needs.
As to why I offer the Hubbell brass contact h320c 20amp IEC on the KaplanCable as an option, its because it works very well with the copper plug I use. Heck, Synergistic uses Leviton plugs on cords that are amazingly good, and Kubala Sonsa uses Pass & Seymour. Why? I don't know, as they don't gel well with my wire and topology.
I've a satisfied customer using 2 20 Amp IEC cords for his BPT balancing conditioners, and another using his on the same Furman as yours. I much prefer, soundwise, my complement of connectors than my same cordage with the Oyaides I've evaluated.(but I've no experience with their 20amp versions) I can certainly provide any 20amp IEC you want, but would recommend you first evaluate our standard 20Amp cord.
Regards,
Paul Kaplan
KaplanCable |
Kimber makes the PK-10 Gold with the 20amp IEC option and retails for about $350. It isn't shielded for better sound so you need to keep it away from ICs and speaker cables but shouldn't be a factor in using it from the wall to the conditioner.
Of course you have your selection of Shunyata PCs but I haven't heard them. I have one of the Kimbers between the wall and my Hydra and like it for my main amp that draws a lot of power. |
I have been using a TG Audio SLVR PC on my 20A inlet power conditioner (Audio Prism Power Foundation III) for many years with great success. It's a great cord that improves imaging by providing a darker background without limiting dynamics as many PCs often do. The benefit of using it at the power conditioner is like upgrading all your components cords at once. Happy Hunting! |
PS, I'd like to keep the cost below $1K, and the further the better but if there is a great PC close to that mark I won't rule it out. Thanks. |
