2. cables
  3. 1137175638

Do IC and Power Cables Really Make a Difference?

If you had asked me a few months ago I would have said either "very little" or "not really" not from experience but from a generally cynical attitude regarding all the hype that often infects this hobby. However, I have come to a new opinion based upon my recent experiences with cable substitution that imparted such positive benefits that I had to share.

My system includes:

VPI Scout/JMW9/Dyna 20XH
Rotel RCD-971
Audio Research SP16
Audio Research 100.2
Harbeth Compact 7ES

I've had the system wired for several years as follows:

VPI Cable from the Scout to the SP16
Wireworld Eclipse from the SP16 to the 100.2
Wireworld Equinox III from the Rotel to the SP16
Naim NACA5 from the 100.2 to the Harbeth's
Stock Powercords for the SP16 and 100.2

And achieved very good results. However, after reading numerous posts extolling the virtues of Audience cables I decided to outfit the whole rig (except the VPI cable which I had custom made) with Audience wire. I began by replacing the IC's between amp and pre (Au24) and CD and pre (Conductor) and the speaker wires (Au24). I fired everything up and heard VERY slight differences in the sound--some of which I figured were in my head! As I listened further I began to feel that the new cables were slightly more musical, coherent and tonally correct than the previous set up. This was not a huge difference, rather very subtle. I doubt the casual listener would have heard it and I'm not even sure that I would have been able to tell the difference with a blind test. I attribute the small degree of change to the fact that the Wireworld cables were very good to begin with and that the Naim wire was no real slouch despite their inexpensive price tag. After about a month I took the next step of replacing the stock power cords with Audience Powercords. Holy Crap!! The system was markedly improved. The music emerges from a dead silent (blackness). Dynamics and speed are enhanced. Pace and timing are improved. Transparancy increased. This was not a minor change but rather a mindblowing one--akin to upgrading from an inexpensive integrated amp to full blown high end separates. And remember--I came into this very skeptical and fearful that I would be wasting my money. Bottom line: the Audience products and very good indeed and seem designed to work synergistically (in other words I don't think I enjoyed the full benefits of the IC's until I also put the powercords into the system). The powercords in particular were transformative. I don't know why or how they improve the sound but if you are on the fence about making the investment in aftermarket cords, are skeptical of their value or are looking for another excuse to upgrade your system (like you really need another excuse!) I cannot recommend these cables more highly. My system, which sounded good before, has reached another level altogether. I am particularly pleased with the additional openness, naturalness and dynamics that the cables provide. I just wish I had seen the light earlier.
128x128dodgealum
ricred1
2,058 posts
 
reggy,

USB cable- I've only compared Wireworld Platinum to Audioquest's Diamond USB in my system and I choose the Wireworld Platinum.


Power cables- I compared the following power cords in my system: Shunyata Alpha and Sigma, Wireworld Platinum and Silver Electra, Blue Circle, Audience, Panega, and Audioquest. I ended up purchasing three Audioquest Hurricane and two Tornado power cords. I recently sold my Tornado power cords and now I have all Audioquest Hurricanes.

XLR- I had Wireworld Platinum XLRs, but after hearing Audioquest Niagara XLRs in my system I sold them. Prior to the Platinum I tried Kimber Hero, Silver cables and Transparent Audio. I have one set of Niagara and one set of Audioquest Fire.


Speaker cables- After trying many speaker cables I settled on Clarus Crimson.


reggy
56 posts
 
It's nice to see someone who has experience in a wide variety of cables, I've ordered the Pangea recently, and I was wondering if you could compare that cable's sonics (hopefully they were pangea ac 14se mkii)  to the Wireworld Platinum, Blue Circle and Audience for example as best as you can. I'm really interested in those improvements or whether they are more synergistic for your system. Also, what speakers do you have that accompany them. 
ricred1
2,058 posts
 
According to Audioquest the source is the best place to start with power cords; therefore I had a Pangea PGAC14XL2. I can’t recall all the details regarding the sonics of every power cord. I rather say what stood out to me and why I selected Audioquest power cords. To be honest, I didn’t have a home audition of the Audioquest Tornado or Hurricane. I actually had a home audition of Audioquest’s Thunder power cord, which is the least expensive cord in their new Storm series. "IN MY SYSTEM" the Thunder reduced the noise floor and provided a level of clarity and detail that surprised me compared to every other power cord that I had in my system. I was so impressed I immediately ordered three Hurricanes and two Tornados. All that being said, it wasn’t a night and day difference, but significant enough to my ears to justify the expenditure.
Post removed 
gbmcleod
508 posts
 
I've had every generation of Shunyata power cords ever made, and most of the models, including the  Sigma Analogue, Sigma NR, The Alpha HC, The Alpha NR (the last three current), the initial ZiTrons (Cobra and Python), the CX Python and so on.
And simultaneously I had Nordost Valhalla, Tyr (1 and 2), Frey (1 and 2) and Heimdall (1 and 2) power cords. As well as Nordost Heimdall 2 and Frey 2 interconnects.
The Sigma and Alpha NR are quite the equal of the Nordost Odin line - which I hear at my dealer's (and in my house, if I want to listen). 
For power cords, Shunyata is fantastic.  Have their speaker cables, too (Python and Cobra), but the Sigma  power cords is as good as a Nordost Odin 2, which I played at the same time, in the same  room, on the same system. In fact, the Shunyata was at a disadvantage, as it needs "settling time" once you move it around from room to room, or even re-arrange it in your system. (It usually takes about 2 hours). So, with ZERO "settling time," it was every bit the equal of the Nordost Odin 2. And that was the Shunyata NR vs. Odin.  I wish the Delta was a ZiTron design, as I'm sure that would lift my system even higher, but I've just listened to the definitive "Girl Group of the '60s" CD, and while I listened (somewhat nonchalantly) and liked it, I never loved it until the Sigma and the Alpha NR were put into it and now I find myself hearing (easily) harmonies and dynamic levels from the background singers that I never noticed before (and if they were THERE to be noticed before, I would've heard that). Vocalists, in particular all had their own, individual voice, so it sounds like a group harmonizing and not at the expense of other instruments in the song, which shone for as rarely before. For the record, I'm using a Schiit Ygdrassil DAC and an Arcam FMJ 23 as transport, with Transparent premium SPDIF digital cable.
After much listening, most of the Nordost has left (I'd have like to have wanted (as in "I- MUST-keep-that!" enthusiasm with the Nordost power cords, but, as "they" say,  "I couldn't even..." Except for the Frey 2 and Heimdall 2 interconnects, which I very much like when combined with Shunyata power cords and speaker cable. 

All things considered, Shunyata is a Universal cable. I've yet to hear the system it didn't allow to sound like magic, if magic the recording was endowed with.

More to discover