I'm happy with my Antipodes DS GT, but my friend insisted on getting me a DX 3 to try. I preferred the DS GT over the DX 2. Will see how the DX 3 compares to my DS GT.
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?
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?
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Has anyone tried Morrow Audio power cords? How do they compare to the upper echelon mentioned in this thread? I know their IC's offer a great bang for the buck. I have never owned any of the Audioquest line. I can tell you this, there are big differences in power cords. I think most of us know this but I can't afford these uber expensive line of power cords so really can't comment too much. However, I have a Shunyata Python Helix CX and have owned the Python Alpha Helix. Both are good but I haven't had the CX long enough to tell the difference. I wouldn't mind getting another Alpha Helix as I did like it rather well. And yes they are older models I know hehe :) |
ricred1, I just don’t think you can know what you’re listening to without sufficient burnin of all the cables. It’s one thing to get a general sense of a cable 2 to 24-36 hours in, which I’m able to do (HP also used to say something similar), but with the kind of system and the price of these cables, you do yourself a disservice with this kind of quick judgment. I first heard of the Sigma cables from this article: http://donaldscarinci.com/three-best-power-cords-audiophile-sound/. I hadn’t been thinking about Shunyata since a few years back I found its much ballyhooed Venom model to be more low-end tricks than quality sound in my desktop system. Over the past year in my living room system - lots of PS Audio, Oppo 203 and ATC SCM19A actives, I’ve used or auditioned a number of power cables: HiDiamond P3/P4, Snake River Cottonmouth, Sablon Reserva, Triode Wire Labs Digital Americans, HC version and Obsession, and counterfeit PS Audio AC-12’s (!). Each model/brand has its strengths and all affect the system’s sound very differently than the next. The differences are readily apparent, no blind testing needed. This week, in the first 24-48 hours since receiving genuine AC-12’s (5 cords), there’s been no question that overall they are in a different league in my system than the others. However, I would never compare them directly to something similar or better without a full burn in. There’s too much change in tone, tonal balance, "temperature," sound stage, etc., that occurs during the first three weeks or so to know for sure what one has. Why set up the possibility of buyer’s remorse from a decision made too quickly. About the Sigma, a number of users elsewhere have commented that the Sigma Analog was the superior cord for just about all applications, that is, before the introduction of the NR. They noted that the High Current model was overkill for all but truly high current needs. It seems Shunyata consolidated the line from three models - HC, Analog, Digital - to one. It'll be interesting to see if that's a good thing for sound with different kinds of components. It's definitely not good for customers' pocket books. |
highstream, I respect your opinion. I’m sorry, $3000 for a cable is not cheap. After it settles for 48-72 hours from movement it should be okay to audition. It’s my understanding that the Shunyata NR cables are already broken-in and don't need to be played a long time to reach optimum sound. I hear a difference, I just don’t prefer Shunyata Sigmas in "my system". In general I know if the sound I’m hearing is something I prefer or not. |
A friend that I meet through Audiogon sent me an Audioquest Niagara XLR interconnect cable to try. Several months ago he came to my house and listened to my system. He thought the Niagara would be a good fit. Again, to my ears cables sound different. The Niagara adds air and more detail compared to the Wireworld Platinum cable it replaced. I only have one Niagara cable and it goes from my DAC to the preamp. My problem is when I hear a difference like this, it makes me want to keep investigating. There are just so many options out there for cables and I just don't have the time and/or access to everything. |
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