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The Best AC/ IEC power plug combination. Oyaide, Iego, Neotech

I am looking for the best AC/ IEC plug combination to be used with a solid core copper/ OCC cable.

I found that the sound is significantly influenced by the power plugs, in some cases even more so than the cable itself.

Right now I have "the best" plugs, namely Oyaide M1/ F1 plugs on my powercables,

They are nothing short of amazing, however.

They add soundstage, width, depth, seperation, openess, precision. However, they also lose on timbre and warmth/ emotion.

Now I am looking at other combinations within my chain.

Could you share some light on the following:

Neotech AC - Neotech IEC
Iego AC - Iego IEC
Oyaide with either Neotech or Iego on the other side
or even
Neotech on side and Iego other side

Which plug influences the sound more, the IEC or AC plug?

I was thinking of getting Rhodium copper/ silver AC side and Gold IEC side, basically receiving all the detail and resolution first and then adding a touch of warmth.

Or should I approach it the other way around?

Thanks.
128x128richardhk
michelzay
114 posts
 
@richardhk,

Regarding IEC / Ac male plugs influence on sound quality, there have been some discussions all around. we are talking about 1 to 3 meter PC.! I found more neural IEC plating plugs, would offer better balanced result. Even IEC pure copper (Furutech Fi-15), would sound fantastic in combination of AC gold/Rhodium Male plugs (on pure copper PC)

Audioquest power cords with modified AC plugs are very good, well detailed and well defined images as 3D. I still have one NRG-2 and NRG-4. I would suggest to send them for Cryo treatment too. It will improve its capabilities by 10%-20%. The only problem is that they are 14AWG PC and could not drain enough current for my amp or my preamp! Of course, the Storm series have higher gauges ...

IEGO 8085 gold male would work out fine with any Rhodium IEC. I am not familiar with Oyaide F1, I think your ears are the best judge.  

cheers...

richardhk's avatar
richardhk OP
39 posts
 
@michelzay Thanks for your suggestions.

How do the Iego 8085 ac gold plug compare to the Neotech OCC ac gold plug?

Do you have any better suggestions than the above as AC plug?

What is the best IEC plug in your opinion?

Have you tried any of the Oyaide plugs?
michelzay
114 posts
 
@richardhk

I use Neotech NC-P313 Male AC and compared with IEGO 8085, it presents a warmer sound and less details. It is a good choice with Neotech Hybrid (copper/Silver) PCs but not with copper PCs like NRG-4.

Based on my experience, Using IEGO AC male plugs with Furutech Receptacles (GTX-D Gold or Rhodium) as well as Furutech pcs (like Alpha-3) is not a good idea. It kind of slows down the dynamics. Perhaps it is because of non-compatible plating process that two companies went through.

Furutech IEC plugs using based metal as copper (Fi-15plus (C., G., R.) Fi-25 and Fi-28) are better than other IECs brands. They are very good match with IEGO 8085 Male plug.

BTW, what is the PC brand that you are using?
 
Sorry, I never used Oyaide plugs...

cheers...
richardhk's avatar
richardhk OP
39 posts
 
@michelzay The cable will probably be at least NRG 4 or maybe 3 x NRG 1.5 (psc+) in an own design, who knows. It will be Audioquest at least (or in some cases Kimber PK10). My PC will always be full copper, never silver (maybe only for the ground wire if that would be better).

So, do you suggest:

Iego 8085 gold ac plug to Audioquest PC and then which IEC?

I have tried Furutech, but it does not sound good in my system.

How about Wattgate silver's?

My idea right now is Neotech rhodium IEC?
michelzay
114 posts
 
@richardhk

- AQ NRG-4 has multiple noise dissipation layers, it would be a better choice than 3xNRG1.5. Power cord built up against RFI is more important than purity of its copper conductor. 

- IEC Rhodium is not a bad idea. I also tried IEGO 8085 male with Fi-15plus Rhodium IEC ($50), Plating is done on pure copper conductors. IT is a good match.

- Furutech Fi-15 copper IEC is also a good choice. I had a good result using them.

- I didn't have a good result using Silver IEC (IEGO or Furutech Fi-11 Silver IEC).

After all, it is all system dependent.

cheers.

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