Power cable upgrades, or Power conditioner?

Hmmm. I am wondering if any power modification is going to fix the issue of fatigueing sound. Generally power conditioners and good cords enhance detail, lower the noise floor and improve dynamic range (or some combination of those, depending on the products). They tend (in my experience) to change issues of sound character like tendancy towards fatigue only with analogue gear, where varying the speed of the turntable slightly affects the sound a lot. You might want to think about changing interconnects or speaker cables first, assuming you don't want to change electronics or speakers. I would suggest something like Cardas Golden Cross cables because, though they are not perfectly neutral, they error on the side of smoothness and warmth, which would help with the fatigue. But, if you do buy some sort of power product and it helps, please post about it.

. . . look into an Ortho Spectrum Analogue Reconstructor 2000 (AR2000). I know you are inquiring about power cords, but I have both a PS Audio P300 and about 9 high end PCs in my system. But, when I put the AR 2000 in my system, it did more to tame the digital "glare" than any other upgrade. Look at Clement Perry's review in the archives of StereoTimes on line and, if you are in the southeastern Michigan area, you are free to come hear my system with and without the AR 2000 to judge for yourself. At least it's an option.

Frank

PS - it retails for about $1,500 but you can pick them up used for $750-900.

A few more details. I don’t have dedicated lines and is not an option(where I am currently living any how), that would help I am sure, but I just can’t do it right now. Perhaps fatiguing was not the right word, but I am not sure what is the best description, after an extended listening period I notice it sounds, boring, not as involving, as it seemed at first. Perhaps it is the DAC and transport(which I feel is currently the weakest link, and being upgraded with already selected parts, with in the week), I am just trying to anticipate any further problems, but as it seems I may have cured my ‘problems’ with the new upgrade. Also as it seems I should do room treatment prior to power conditioning , I’ll do a search and see if I can get the basics from prior threads( I am sure this has been gone over time and time again). I am fairly confident that I have the speakers set up about as good as I can(in the current room condition that is), I have played with them for a long time, and I have noticed a huge difference. Seems like the conditioner should be one of the last upgrades that get done, Thanks for all the help and if any one has any further input or questions about the set up I currently using(having ideas on how to improve it) let me know I would love to hear as much input as I can. Thanks Everyone
~Tim

Hey Tim
I must completely disagree with statements such as "power conditioning comes last" & "cables won't do much for you". You just do not know what will happen at YOUR place until you try these things THERE, & in the right combinations. In my situation (you know of my rig) I had the right equipment but had the wrong cables, no AC line conditioning, no tweaks. Particular attention to all of these "insignificants" made all the difference between a very expensive yet mediocre sounding rig, and a clean, dynamic, fantastic system sounding well beyond my expectations. You really have no idea regarding the true potential of your existing equipment until you have experimented with it enough to find out with what synergizes it the best. Despite the significant gains that I have already realized, I really can't say that my rig has yet reached its' highest potential because I have no way of trying out all of the various permutations & combinations of cables, conditioners, & tweaks available.

Tim: What is your current setup? There may be a much less expensive fix for what you are experiencing whether it be isolation products, cables or whatever. Some power cords, in effect, are power conditioners themselves especially in my situation which is "apartment life" and a high end conditioner is not really needed (just one that does the minimum and gets out of the way). If this is a recent problem then it may just involve static electricity. I have been using my ZeroStat gun the past month (on CD's and LP's) to the point that I fear that I am turning into "Johnny Yuma". Here in LA we experience desert dry air in-between rain, plus using the heat in our place really dries things out. More info please.