Seeking informed recommendations for power cables and interconnects


I made some recent component upgrades and am seeking recommendations for upgrades to my stock power cables and interconnects (currently Blue Jean Cable). I am not looking for a particular sound or effect, but rather an improvement over what I have now. I am a novice without experience swapping cables so any advice is welcomed. I understand this is an issue of contention, but I am open-minded and would like to hear positive recommendations, and not arguments against cable upgrading (I am familiar with this position).

My system consists of:
  • Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II integrated amplifier
  • Merrill Super12 Polytable turntable w/ Ortofon 2M Black cartridge
  • OPPO UDP-203 digital player
  • Vandersteen 2CE speakers
  • Furman IT-Reference 15i power conditioner
I am running into a dedicated AC line into a Porter Port outlet. I assume that the power cord from the outlet to the Furman would not need upgrading since it is being "conditioned" (I could be wrong).

What would be the recommended priority for upgrades (power cord (1st) vs. interconnect (2nd)? What brands are recommended. I want to limit the budget for both power cords and interconnects to $500 a piece.

Thanks in advance.

arturos73
I use Mogami 2549 in all my RCAs with either KLEI copper harmony or furutech 126g RCAs with ground floated / shotgunned at one end. See my system details. I’ve tried many power conditioners as I have some DC on the line and every one killed dynamics including PS Audio humbusters, power plants, furman and DYI. The only one that didn’t is the emotiva CMX-2. I use Mogami speaker cables also plus a porter port on a dedicated line. Like how the copper cables mesh with my Audio Refinement (YBA) gear, especially with my modified RP6 / Jasmine analog front end and ProAc Studio 148s. And I use signal cable magic power cable on all source components. I have yet to find a reasonably priced power cable that matches my Audio Refinement amp. 
japanjim,
Looking to avoid the nosebleed priced cables (hence my $500 cap) and the confirmation bias echo chamber. I'm a bang-for-the-buck type of chap, hence my solicitation of experienced listeners and cable acquirers.
Out of curiosity, I ran a search here on the ’Gon for Vandersteen, Rogue and cable and many of the hits returned AQ cables as recommended by Richard Vandersteen.
There is something to be said for ’same brand’ full ’loom’-in that the character and overall sound becomes cumulative. (Why this should be with power cable vs speaker and interconnect is an interesting intellectual question I can’t answer). That said, The Cable Co. also has a division called "Used Cable"-- I don’t know if and how the cable loan program works with the Used Cable business, but it could give you the opportunity for home trial and mark down buying used cables. -
The first time I fooled around with cable changes I had a pile of different speaker wires loaned to me by my then dealer in the late ’80s and spent the weekend listening to them. I can’t remember what I concluded or whether my choice had any relation to price, but I felt pretty confident about my conclusions at the time.
I’ve been running essentially the same brand since 2006 in my main system with one upgrade at the earliest link in the chain that I could substitute- from phono stage to line stage. The manufacturer has a generous trade in allowance for upgrading so all that worked in my favor. Haven’t really thought about those cables much since the one upgrade 5 years ago.
When I did my vintage system more recently, i wasn’t interested in kilo dollar cable, so sought out DIY and well constructed modest cable--having owned most of the equipment in that system since the early ’70s, I remember how little attention we paid to wire in those days- zip cord for speaker cable and lord knows what for interconnect and power cords (probably stock). That system sounds wonderful and cable cost was truly minimal. (All the gear had been fully restored)
Good luck, this should be a fun process, not one that makes you crazy,
bill hart