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Power Cords

I currently have Wireworld Silver Electra power cords with upgraded Platinum plugs. I had two 1M Wireworld Platinum power cords, but rearranged my system and required longer cords. Yesterday I borrowed two Shunyata Sigma NR power cords. On the first note my wife softly said, "that sounds better". She said it was clearer. I listened for a couple hours, changing the power cords a couple of times. In my system and to my ears this is my conclusion:
The Sigma's are cleaner, definitely has more bass, a dead silent and completely black background. The Wireworld cords are more detailed, with a wider soundstage and better spacing/separation of instruments. All things considered I'll keep my Wireworld, but I'm curious to listen to other power cords.
After inserting the Sigma's I just don't understand how anyone that listened to different power cords could conclude that they can't hear a difference. There is a difference, but like any other component the individual has to decide if the change is worth it. $6K for two power cords is relatively expensive. Expensive, but oddly maybe a good value? In my system there was a definite improvement with better bass impact and articulation. Would spending $6K or just changing amplifiers yield similar results? As with most components there are trade-offs...is there a power cord out there that has the benefits of the Sigma's and Wireworld Silver Electra's? If so, at what cost?  
ricred1
high-amp
508 posts
 
Check out Black Sand Cables at: www.highampdistribution.com
Great cable for a great price.
Check our Steve Hoffman's review: 
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/its-done-power-cord-shoot-out-22-power-cords-reviewed.103597/

ricred1 OP
2,044 posts
 
Thanks for all of the recommendations. I'm trying Shunyata again for several days. I'll post my thoughts tomorrow.
alanholvey's avatar
alanholvey
96 posts
 
I myself am using a combination of Audioquest NRH10's, NRG100's plus one NRG1000 power cords.  I found their NRG10's to be far superior to competing Cardas as well as Shunyata power cords.  But for my Oppo 205 I find a $400 JPS digital power cord works far superior to ant current $1280 Audioquest power cord.  And that is playing my OPPO/JPS ombo thru an Audioquest Niagara 1000/NRG1000 combination.  Now the JPS power cord is only superior to even my best Audioquest power cords with my OPPO.  Using the digital JPS power cord for other purposes it sucks compared to any of my Audioquest models.  The same thing with the power cord that comes with my Rega Orisis integrated amplifier.  
alanholvey's avatar
alanholvey
96 posts
 
I myself have been using Audioquest power cords or several years now.  Previously I used Cardas and later tried Shunyata but found Audioquest to be far superior.  Presently I am using 3 NRG10 power cords, 4 NRG100's one NRG1000 plus 2 Niagara 1000's.  I am very pleased with the results.
ricred1 OP
2,044 posts
 
I’ve listened for two days now. I try very hard not to say one component is better than another one; but instead describe the differences I’m hearing. First, I submit my system is neutral and if it leans from neutral, most would say it leans to the slightly dark side. So my comments are not about which cable is "better", but what works better in my system.
The following music was used to evaluate the power cords: Kirk Whalum-For You, Erykah Badu-Live, Marcus Roberts - Live, Dave Koz-Hello Tomorrow, Kem-Kemistry, David Sandborn-Best of.
After extended listening not much has changed since my initial audition. The Sigma cables produce more bass. The bass is more pronounced and background is darker. The Sigma’s produce a smaller soundstage and gives the illusion that everything is pushed back, with less differentiation between front and rear images.
Returning to my Wireworld cables, there is a slight loss of bass. Bass is still there, but its not as over powering as with the Sigmas. Overall the Wireworld cables are more balanced in my system. The soundstage is more open, with better front to back placement of instruments and back-up singers. Cymbals come to life with the Wireworld. The lead singer appears to have moved slightly to the front, which provides the illusion of a deeper soundstage.
The Wireworlds are staying, not because they are better, but because they provide better synergy in my system. Evaluating cables is hard and time consuming. I honestly don’t know if I’m going to audition anymore power cords.
In a different system, there's no doubt that someone could prefer the Sigma power cords!
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